Prevue Magazine - 2009 Tim Hortons Brier

prevue magazine

Canadian Men’s Curling Championship March 7-15, 2009 Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, AB

Be a part of it!

The Tim Hortons Brier is an experience unlike any other. It represents a long tradition of an entire country’s passion for a game that is unique in so many ways. And in its contemporary form, it vibrates with the energy and excitement of highly skilled athletes competing amidst a sea of proud and boisterous fans.

When the 2009 Tim Hortons Brier takes to the ice at Calgary’s Pengrowth Saddledome, March 7th to 15th the atmosphere will come alive with the anticipation of the world’s best curlers vying for one of the most cherished titles.

For many in attendance, Brier week has evolved into an annual ritual. Year after year they return to share in the celebration of this curling classic. What is it that keeps bringing them back? What transforms a first time viewer into a die-hard fan?

There’s just no simple explanation - rather a combination of elements that can only be experienced live.

It’s the capacity crowd drawn to a tense silence with the impossible shot on the line. Only to erupt into an avalanche of cheers with the realization that at this level of curling, anything is possible!

It’s the fact that the fans themselves are part of the show, coming from every province and territory to support the home team. And demonstrating their pride with some of the most outlandish costumes, signs and chants you could ever imagine.

There’s the unique relationship between the competitors and their following.

This is a sport where it’s quite common to share a conversation, and sometimes a beverage, with the best in the game.

The Tim Hortons Brier is much more than an event – it’s a celebration! And the only place to celebrate is at the heart of the action!

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Be a part of it!

The Brier Game On Ford Hot Shots Up Close & Personal Spirit of the Patch Patch Schedule ‘FAN’tastic

14/15 16/17 18/19 20 21 22 23

Around the House Schedule of Events Our Corporate Family Hittin’ the Button Season of Champions A Day at the Rink Autographs

The

Brier

The scene is the Pengrowth Saddledome. The time is March 7th to 15th, and the main event is “Rockies II – the Reunion” – the Tim Hortons Brier.

It marks the sixth time Calgary has hosted the Canadian men’s curling championship and the 2009 version promises to be the most memorable ever.

The city first caught the Brier fever in 1948 when the event was contested in a vastly different environment. The competitors rolled into the new frontier on a steam driven locomotive to the greeting of a large throng of people and Native dancers in ceremonial headdress. After boarding horse drawn wagons they were paraded through the downtown.

The Brier’s next stop in Calgary was 1961 and the game had taken on a new look. The bulky wool sweaters had given way to sleeker styles and the corn brooms were replaced by a more contemporary version – and the swish turned to a snap. Fans came out to the Calgary Corral to see Alberta’s Hec Gervais win the tankard.

In 1980 the Brier was back. The brooms were gone, replaced by the now common brushes. Alberta was represented by the young Paul Gowsell foursome. But third time wasn’t lucky for the home province as Saskatchewan’s Rick Folk ruled the event.

The Brier went big time in 1997! The Saddledome drew a record crowd of nearly 230,000 during the week – including a packed house of 17,000 for the championship final. And the fans went home happy after seeing Kevin Martin capture the title.

It was a tough act to follow when the Brier returned in 2002. But Calgary curling enthusiasts rose to the challenge of “Rockin’ the Rockies!” Final attendance topped 245,000 – the third highest in Brier records – and the Randy Ferbey team claimed the tankard for Alberta once again.

Our long and colourful relationship with the Brief is on the verge of a new breakthrough. Make sure you’re there to be part of history!

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game on.

By Allen Cameron

There’s a section on the Canadian Curling Association website where you’ll find archival footage of old Briers.

Suffice to say that what you’d see by clicking on one of those videos bears little, if any, similarity to the show that will unfold March 7th to 15th at the Pengrowth Saddledome. It’s like comparing a stone-age wheel to the state-of-the-art Ford vehicle that will be up for grabs in the Ford Hot Shots competition that will kick off the 2009 Tim Hortons Brier.

This 80th renewal of the greatest curling event on the planet, like the 79 before it, will decide Canada’s championship men’s curling team and representative in the Ford World Men’s Curling Championship this April in Moncton, N.B. But forget everything you thought you knew about the Brier experience, both on and off the ice. This, my friends, is the 21st century, and the Brier is a completely different animal than it used to be.

No more corn brooms (at least, not to sweep with). No more sweaters.

No more, praise the Lord, cigarette smoke so thick that you could hang laundry off of it.

And way more – WAY more! – pressure.

Curlers back in the day? Well, they played for pride and not a lot else. And quite frankly, ice conditions were atrocious, and so was the conditioning of many of the curlers.

The curlers you’ll see at the ’Dome this week, likely some with world championship pedigrees, have been throwing rocks, in some cases, since last August. Many of them will have consulted with sports psychologists and nutritionists. They will have put in as much work off the ice as on it.

They’ll also be using equipment and techniques that were never dreamed of, even a decade ago. The advances in brooms alone in recent years have been staggering (as have the advances in the pricetags!).

As for the way they wield those brooms, that’s an ongoing process as the Canadian Curling Association consults a team of experts looking for the most effective way to sweep a rock. They look at the angle of the broom in relation to the ice and the rock, the width of the brush-stroke, and the angle of the brush-stroke.

“They played for pride and not a lot else”

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That’s just the stuff we know about. Thanks to Own The Podium funding, the CCA and its coaches have been conducting all sorts of experiments behind closed doors, and while we’d love to tell you what they’re doing, the simple fact is, they’re not telling. That way, the Brits, the Americans, the Swiss and the Chinese don’t find out, either.

The end result is a display of shot-making and strategy that has taken the game of curling out of the realm of participation sport, where everybody is roughly on the same playing field, to a high-performance, high-stakes level where a single shot can potentially be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to a team, when you factor in federal funding that is allocated to national champions.

“Then, there are the Olympics.

You may have heard about that bonspiel, a few hours west of here in 11 months or so.”

We’re in the home stretch of determining Canada’s representative in Vancouver, and the Brier plays a major role in the selection process.

Brier champs advance to the next-to-last stage of Olympic qualifying, with the dream of advancing to next December’s Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings (Canadian Curling Trials) at Rexall Place in Edmonton. And that’s where the Olympic reps will be decided.

Now, those are some of the things that have changed at the Brier. We’re equally glad to report that some things will never change.

For instance? Well, find us another massive event like the Brier where chances are extremely good that the men you’re paying to watch over the next week and a half will also have a drink with you after the game?

Because while there’s still an immense amount of pressure on the players, the Keith’s Patch is a sacred tradition for fans and players alike.

It’s just a given that after your game is done, you head to the Patch for a cold one, to listen to some music, and just talk to the fans. Because even though these men were born with an ability to do magical things with curling rocks, they’re also working stiffs who have day jobs, just like you and me.

And that’s not the only opportunity; there are also scheduled autograph sessions with each team, and an Up Close and Personal session in the Purple Heart Lounge, where emcee Stuart Brown grills the players with a variety of questions that are well off the beaten path.

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In the stands, the atmosphere of the Brier is simply unmatched. Every province and territory has a cheering section, with all sorts of regional variations. The Bluenosers from Nova Scotia paint their – well, you probably figured it out. The Saskatchewan fans show up in droves, hoping that this will finally be their year to break a drought that’s lasted since Rick Folk in 1980. The Northern Ontario fans bring their moose calls (trust me, you’ll recognize it when you hear it).

It doesn’t matter which players are on the ice; the fans still show up, and if their team isn’t playing, well, they find someone else to cheer for.

Even Calgarians manage to find a way to get past their long-standing animosity with Edmonton; the last two Alberta champs to play in Calgary Briers, Kevin Martin in 1997 and Randy Ferbey in 2002, both won here and were overwhelming crowd favourites.

When you step into the Saddledome, remember the curling history that’s been made in this building. Back in 1997, the CCA took a chance and decided to take the Brier to the big leagues. Instead of holding the event in junior hockey buildings, it took the Brier to an NHL rink and then crossed its collective fingers.

The result was staggering – an attendance total of 223,322 that broke the former record by more than 70,000.

The Brier returned to Calgary in 2002, with 245,296 going through the turnstiles, the third highest total in history, and 2009 host committee president Ian Henderson has the all-time record of 281,985, set in Edmonton in 2005, firmly in his sights as the world’s most famous bonspiel is staged in Calgary for a sixth time.

“In other words, curling’s greatest show just keeps getting bigger and better.”

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ONLINE This is the most realistic online curling game ever developed. Give it a try for your chance to win a 2009 Ford Flex and other great prizes!* Complete details at fordhotshots.curling.ca

ON-ICE Ford Hot Shots is also an on-ice skills competition for all competitors at the Tim Hortons Brier. Find out how the best curlers in the country play the same six shots that you tried in the online version.

Free Admission Ford Hot Shots Preliminary Round Friday, March 6 1:00 – 4:00 pm Pengrowth Saddledome

* See contest details for more information.

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up close and personal In an era characterized by high-level athletes who seem to go out of their way to stay away from their admirers, curling goes directly against the grain. In our sport competitors and fans share a unique bond.

“We’re really the working man’s athlete,” comments New Brunswick’s Russ Howard, a perennial star on the curling scene. “The fans have always been good to me… it’s the only sport I know where the players wear headsets so they can hear everything we say. If you’re in the crowd, you can definitely hear everything I say!”

That view is echoed by Guy Hemmings, the affable Quebecer who has become a fan favourite since his crowd charming performance at the 1998 Winnipeg Brier. “People should check it out… they’d discover the kinship between players and fans. The atmosphere is surprising… if they’ve watched curling on TV, to see it in the stands the interaction with the fans is really great and adds a lot to the show. People really should come participate in the event.”

The relationship fans feel with players during the heat of competition takes on a more relaxed tone once the last rock’s been thrown. “After the game’s over the curlers always head to the Keith’s Patch,” notes Howard, “and that’s where the fun really begins! We used to say when we were competing, we wished we could do both – be fans for a week and compete for a week – it can be real tough to do both.”

“There’s a special bond between fans and players.” adds Hemmings. “They feel they’ve known the players for many years and when we meet them they have a real ease socializing… there’s a great relationship between players and fans.”

At Calgary’s Tim Hortons Brier, you’ll have another opportunity to relate to the stars. Many of the teams, along with other special guests, will be featured throughout the week in the Up Close and Personal interview sessions in the Purple Heart Lounge. It’s an off-the-cuff environment where you can see another side of curling’s elite.

For a taste of the Up Close and Personal experience go online to seasonofchampions.ca/rotr/ for a candid discussion with Jennifer Jones and Kevin Martin.

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Spirit of the

patch

If you’re a newcomer to the Tim Hortons Brier, here’s a little advice. Hang on to your draw ticket because it’s your free pass to the Keith’s Patch where the legendary party-hearty spirit of curling fans comes to life!

The Patch is the heart of the Brier social experience. And no one checks its pulse more closely than Roger Powell, Manager of Entertainment and Production for the Canadian Curling Association.

Over the past 12 years Powell has overseen the transformation of the Patch from a pleasant between-draw diversion to a pulsating environment for friendship and fun. For first time visitors, he offers one suggestion.

“Be prepared for a surprise!”

The Patch is a vibrant environment featuring a diverse menu of music, food, contests and games. Giant video screens carry live action from the arena and coverage of the on-site entertainment. Over the years it has evolved to become a major attraction for crowds numbering in the thousands. This year’s Patch will be housed in the Big Four Building just across the parking lot from the Pengrowth Saddledome, with a capacity of 3,500.

“We have acts that do everything from 50’s and 60’s music right up to the current times,” says Powell. “MC’s do trivia games with the fans… there’s Wii play station contests and Hot Shots competitions. There’s always something going on at the Patch!”

Jim Jerome - MC

Jim Jerome wanna be

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patch meet you at the

or chill at the

*Schedule is subject to change without notice.

Saturday, March 7

10:30 pm

The Stampeders Purple Heart Lounge 8:00 pm The Bob Russell Band 9:30 pm Gypsy and the Rose

Sunday, March 8

10:00 pm

The Ryans Purple Heart Lounge 10:30 pm Carly Henry

Monday, March 9

9:30 pm

Fraid Knot Purple Heart Lounge 9:30 pm Room to Dance

Tuesday, March 10

5:15 & 10:30 pm Mark Lorenz

Purple Heart Lounge 9:30 pm Room to Dance

Wednesday, March 11

10:30 pm

The Chevelles Purple Heart Lounge 10:30 pm Stan Foster 10

FREE

Admission with your same day draw ticket.

Thursday, March 12

9:30 pm

Arrival & Dreams

Purple Heart Lounge 9:30 pm Johanna Sillanpaa

Friday, March 13

1:00 & 9:30 pm

Hey Romeo 10:30 pm Kenny Shields & Streetheart PHL: 9:30 pm Steve Pineo

Saturday, March 14

9:00 pm Jo Hikk 10:30 pm Aaron Lines

Purple Heart Lounge 9:30 pm Tim Hus Trio

Sunday, March 15

3:00 & 10:00 pm Hey Romeo

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Make the Most of Your Calgary Experience at the 2009 Tim Hortons Brier!

Along with the action on the ice, you are invited to the following events designed to make your time at Rockin the Rockies II…The Reunion a memorable one!

Ford Hot Shots – Preliminaries

FREE

ADMISSION

Friday March 6, 2009 – Pengrowth Saddledome 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Let’s kick off Brier week in grand style. Come down to the Pengrowth Saddledome and watch the Ford Hot Shots Skills Competition. Don’t forget to visit the Southern Alberta Curling Association display.

Canadian Curling Association Opening Gala Banquet $85.00 per person Friday March 6, 2009 – The Westin Calgary 6:00 p.m. - Reception 7:00 p.m. - Banquet

Meet the teams and special guests of the 2009 Tim Hortons Brier. Tickets available at www.seasonofchampions.ca

FREE*

Opening Ceremonies

ADMISSION

Saturday, March 7, 2009 – Pengrowth Saddledome 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

*With Opening Draw Ticket

Join in the pomp and ceremony as Canada’s best curlers are introduced as we set off a week of spectacular curling.

Ford Hot Shots – Finals

FREE*

ADMISSION

*With Opening Saturday, March 7, 2009 – Pengrowth Saddledome Draw Ticket 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

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After the opening ceremonies, watch as finalists of the Ford Hot Shots Skills Competition attempt some of the most difficult shots in curling as they vie to be named the “Hot Shot” at the 2009 Brier.

Closing Awards Luncheon $65.00 per person Sunday March 15, 2008 – Westin Calgary 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The 2009 Tim Hortons Brier All-Star Teams will be recognized. It’s a great way to get ready for the anticipation and excitement of the final draw while enjoying a buffet style selection of breakfast and lunch.

Tickets are available at:

www.seasonofchampions.ca

Keith’s Patch After the draw, meet with the friends you have and the friends you’ve made at the Patch, taking over the entire second floor of the Big Four Building! With a capacity of over 3,500 people, the legendary Patch will help you celebrate the Brier, enjoy great food and drinks and rock into the wee hours. If the excitement isn’t on the ice – it’s in the Patch!

The Purple Heart Lounge Located on the lower floor of the Big Four Building, the Purple Heart Lounge offers curling fans a more relaxing atmosphere to meet friends for some Brier talk over a meal or just your favourite drink.

Brier Merchandise Remember your experience at Rockin the Rockies II… The Reunion by purchasing that special souvenir!

Visit a Brier merchandise kiosk located in both the Pengrowth Saddledome and the Big Four Building.

You’ll be sure to find that perfect memento!

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around the

house Love on the Air

Ray Turnbull - TSN

TSN curling analyst Ray Turnbull readily confesses to a love affair with the game that dates back to 1958 when he competed in the Brier as part of Terry Braunstein’s high school whiz kids representing Manitoba.

“I fell in love with the sport and I knew it would grow,” recalls Turnbull. “But never did I think that I would see 15 or 16 thousand people watching curling.

When you add four to five hundred thousand viewers watching on TV, it’s mind boggling!”

Turnbull shares the TSN broadcast booth with Linda Moore and Vic Rauter, a combination he feels has been integral to the growing success of televised curling. “Linda and Vic are wonderful people and we have become very good friends. I believe it is very important to have fun. We try to analyze, not criticize – and keep in mind that yes, it is a national or world championship, but people are not dying out there. They are entertaining so we keep it interesting and light and have some fun with it.”

“Curling is the ultimate team sport and TV people will tell you it’s a great game for TV,” says the man affectionately known as Moosie within the curling fraternity. Innovations such as mic’s on players, overhead cameras, video replays and the telestrator have greatly enhanced the viewer’s perspective. “The video people, sound people, director, producer and all the crew are really brilliant at bringing you, the viewer the games.”

As good as it is on the small screen, he acknowledges there is nothing like the live experience. “Live sport is always the best because of the fan enthusiasm… the emotions and your ability to see it all – all the little things involving fans and athletes.”

After 23 years of curling coverage with TSN, Turnbull admits the hectic Season of Champions schedule can take its toll. “You do get a little worn, especially at the end of the season, but my love for the game and all the people I work with helps me to stay up for the games. The athletes themselves are terrific, humble people that are fun to work with and this certainly helps all of us stay enthusiastic.”

Pumping Granite The 2009 Tim Hortons Brier has been dubbed “Rockies II – the Reunion.” - a theme that has played out in dramatic fashion throughout the Calgary region in a multi-media advertising campaign. And the star of the show is none other than John Morris, third for the Kevin Martin team – and MVP of last year’s Brier.

The campaign captured the attention not only of the public, but also the curling media. In the words of Calgary Herald curling writer Allen Cameron, “I just think it’s the coolest print ad I’ve ever seen for a curling event. Does it scream curling? Not necessarily. But does it make me look and want to find out more? Absolutely.”

“Johnny Mo” takes on the hard-nosed role of a veteran prizefighter training for the match of his life as he strains over arm curls - using dumbbells fashioned from a pair of granite stones.

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The Curling News blog describes the event ticket poster as “some pretty cool branding aimed at tempting you to grab these ducats, and get your butt out to some tremendous live curling.”

“I’ve had a lot of response from people in Calgary, and all across Canada since the television has been airing during some national events,” says Morris. “And the feedback has all been positive.”

“People are used to the more traditional style of advertising for curling which is fine, but to appeal to a younger generation - something the sport needs to do - it’s important to project a more aggressive, more athletic image. That’s what the game has become and that’s exactly what the ads do.”

Accustomed to a year-round training schedule, Morris is no stranger to the gym. But modeling is something a little different. “The hardest part was trying to get the game face on for the camera when there’s no game going on.”

So where did he get his inspiration for the session?

“I just watched the movie ‘Zoolander’ a few times and I was good to go.”

Visit the Calgary Design Centre at Unit 124, 3442 118th Avenue SE or log onto jeld-wen.ca to find a dealer near you.

©2008 JELD-WEN of Canada, Ltd. Reliability for real life is a trademark of JELD-WEN, inc., Oregon, USA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Schedule of Events Saddledome = The Pengrowth Saddledome Big Four = The Big Four Building (Home of Keith’s Patch)

Friday, March 6 1:00 pm 6:00 pm

Saddledome Westin Hotel

Ford Hot Shots Preliminaries Canadian Curling Association Gala Dinner

Saturday, March 7 9:30 am 10:00 am 11:00 am 1:00 pm 6:00 pm

Saddledome Big Four Saddledome Saddledome Saddledome

Opening Ceremonies Keith’s Patch Opens Ford Hot Shots Finals DRAW #1 DRAW #2

Sunday, March 8 8:30 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 4:30 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm

Saddledome Big Four PH Lounge Saddledome PH Lounge PH Lounge Saddledome

DRAW #3 Keith’s Patch Opens Autograph Session - SK & NB DRAW #4 Up Close & Personal Autograph Session - MB & Yukon/NWT DRAW #5

Monday, March 9 8:30 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 4:30 pm 6:00 pm

Saddledome Big Four PH Lounge Saddledome PH Lounge Saddledome

DRAW #6 Keith’s Patch Opens Autograph Session - AB & QC DRAW #7 Up Close & Personal DRAW #8

Tuesday, March 10 8:30 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 4:30 pm 6:00 pm

Saddledome Big Four PH Lounge Saddledome PH Lounge Saddledome

DRAW #9 Keith’s Patch Opens Autograph Session - NFLD & North ON DRAW #10 Up Close & Personal DRAW #11 For all the latest curling news and details on events, visit: seasonofchampions.ca

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Schedule subject to change.

Rockin the Rockies II - The Reunion PH Lounge = The Purple Heart Lounge

Wednesday, March 11 8:30 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 4:30 pm 6:00 pm

Saddledome Big Four PH Lounge Saddledome PH Lounge Saddledome

DRAW #12 Keith’s Patch Opens Autograph Session - NS & PEI DRAW #13 Up Close & Personal DRAW #14

Thursday, March 12 8:30 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 4:30 pm 6:00 pm

Saddledome Big Four PH Lounge Saddledome PH Lounge Saddledome

DRAW #15 Keith’s Patch Opens Autograph Session - NS & PEI DRAW #16 Up Close & Personal DRAW #17

Friday, March 13 8:30 am 10:00 am 1:00 pm 4:30 pm 6:00 pm

Saddledome Big Four Saddledome PH Lounge Saddledome

Tiebreaker (if required) Keith’s Patch Opens Tiebreaker (if required) Up Close & Personal Playoff

Saturday, March 14 10:00 am 10:00 am 3:30 pm 6:00 pm

Big Four Saddledome PH Lounge Saddledome

Keith’s Patch Opens Playoff Autograph Session (All Teams) Semi Final

Sunday, March 15 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 6:00 pm 9:30 pm

Westin Hotel Big Four Saddledome Saddledome

Closing Awards Luncheon Keith’s Patch Opens FINAL Closing Ceremonies

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Our Corporate Family

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Thank you!

Precisely Put.

When the margin of error is small, precision wins the game.

John Deere is a proud supporter of the 2009 Tim Hortons Brier. www.JohnDeere.com

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You’ve got the

Button

You can have all the up-to-date news on curling’s Season of Champions, without any searching. Simply subscribe to the Canadian Curling Association’s “Hittin’ the Button” online newsletter and you’ll receive each new issue automatically by email.

“Hittin’ the Button” features the latest news on all the Season of Champions events including: • Scotties Tournament of Hearts • Tim Hortons Brier • Ford World Curling Championships • Canada Cup • Road to the Roar • Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings

Plus, you can take advantage of exclusive pre-sale ticket purchase opportunities.

Become a subscriber by visiting curling.ca

Everything curling is only a click away.

Tickets Event info Teams Photos Videos Contests Scores Standings Statistics Schedules Merchandise News & Blogs & Much More!

www.curling.ca

+

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Welcome to the 2009 Season of Champions The Season of Champions is a special time of year when competitors rise to the peak of their games - and fans rise to applaud the amazing performances from the greatest names in curling.

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is the second major event of the 2009 Season of Champions bringing Canada’s finest women’s teams to Victoria as they strive for the prestige of the national title. And with it, a coveted berth in the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings (Canadian Curling Trials).

The excitement of championship competition unfolds throughout the year in premiere events across the country: M&M Meat Shops Canadian Juniors – February 1 – 8 in Salmon Arm Tim Hortons Brier – March 7 – 15 in Calgary Canada Cup of Curling – March 18 - 22 in Yorkton Ford World Men’s Curling Championship – April 4 - 12 in Moncton Road to the Roar – November 10 - 14 in Prince George Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings – December 6 - 13 in Edmonton

Celebrate the Season at seasonofchampions.ca Follow the season online at seasonofchampions.ca. You can find out the latest teams that have qualified for specific events. Check out seating plans for the venues – and even order your tickets directly online.

You don’t want to miss a second of what promises to be the most exciting Season of Champions ever!

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A Leisurely Day at the Rink?

The days when curlers took a casual approach to the roaring game have long since passed. At least for those who have any aspirations of competing at the upper echelons of the sport.

What does it take to make it to the top? Might as well go to the top for the answer – and right now that’s Kevin Martin, reigning Canadian and World Champion.

“When it comes to the fitness aspect for our team, we’ve tried to take it to another level. We train at hockey training centres – Bennie (Hebert) uses a football training centre – that’s just the way we’ve done it as a team. We have monthly fitness tests for the team to determine where we’re at compared to the prior year. It’s just become a regimen.”

“The skip and third are chess players, and the front end are brute strength and extreme cardio.”

Martin points out that the physical demands weigh more heavily on the lead and second. “It’s a unique sport where the skip and third are chess players… kinda the math kids. And your front end are brute strength and extreme cardio.”

How would he describe brute strength on a sheet of curling ice? “When it comes to the front end, the amount of calories you use per hour is incredible! The heart rate going to 180 is one of the fastest of any sport in the world.”

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autographs

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