Curling News UNITED STATES
November/December 2011
Index Bonspiel Results.....14-15 College Curling..............6 Comics........................... 4 Curler’s Calendar......... 13 Member Services........... 3 Rocket Exhaust............ 15 Tales From Sheet 9........ 4 Training Tips..................5 Tucked in the Back...... 15 USWCA News.............12 Youth Corner..................3
Inside Mentor a junior team...P3 Wausau’s 8 sheets........P4 Fix that release............ P5 College redesign.......... P6 Group rates in Philly....P8 Wheelchair team........P10 Montgomery wins..... P12 Clinics set in ND.......P13
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Volume 67 Number 2
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Fargo to host 2014 U.S. Olympic Trials by Terry Kolesar, Editor argo, N.D., has been selected as the host site for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling. “The USCA is pleased to return to Fargo for the 2014 Olympic Trials,” said Chris Sjue, president, U.S. Curling Association (USCA). “Scheels Arena is an outstanding venue that received great reviews from the athletes and fans during the 2011 Men’s and Women’s National Championships. The top U.S. men’s and women’s teams will
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be competing for the chance to represent the USA at the Olympics in Sochi, Russia. It will be exciting.” The USCA Executive Committee unanimously approved awarding the bid to Scheels Arena and the Metro Sports Foundation after a months-long review of several bids by a special site selection committee. The Trials will take place Nov. 11-16, 2013, at Scheels Arena, a 5,000 seat arena, which also hosted USA Curling’s 2011 National Championships.
The Pete Fenson rink (above) found success at Scheels as they won the 2011 National title there in February. Photo by Jerome Larson
See Olympic Team Trials, Page 10
Young Olympians
Connect with USA Curling on
Austria Bound: The team of Korey Dropkin (l-r), Sarah Anderson, Thomas Howell and Taylor Anderson will represent the U.S. at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games Jan. 13-22 in Innsburck, Austria. Nine teams competed at the playdown, which was held Nov. 17-20 at the Grafton (N.D.) Curling Club. No, you’re not seeing double ... the Anderson girls are identical twins.
Team USA named for 2012 Youth Olympic Games by Terry Kolesar, Editor
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SA’s first curling team to play at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games will be led by 16year-old Korey Dropkin (Southborough, Mass.) as his team dominated Daniel Dudt’s rink, 101, to win the Youth Olympic Games Trials Nov. 20 at the
Grafton Curling Club in Grafton, N.D. Dropkin and his team of Thomas Howell (Brick, N.J.) and identical twin sisters Sarah and Taylor Anderson (Broomall, Pa.) will now be nominated to the U.S. Olympic Committee to be part of Team USA at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games Jan. 13-22 in Innsbruck, Austria. “My teammates are amazing.
They are great sweepers and great shooters. I can also trust my vice skip to run the house when I'm shooting,” Dropkin said. The win capped an 8-1 showing in Grafton for Team Dropkin. “We had to bring it every game. There were no weak teams and no easy games,” Sarah Anderson said.
See Youth Olympic Games, Page 9
Monday Night Curling Monday Night Football commentators Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico battled for the 2011 ESPN Curling Championship Belt earlier this month at the Green Bay Curling Club as the ESPN crew was in town for the Monday Night Football match-up between the Packers and the Vikings (Go Packers!). Thanks to the folks at the Green Bay Curling Club for being great hosts. A snippet of snapshots and commentary from the event aired in the third quarter of the MNF game. ESPN sideline reporter Rachel Nichols and Tirico’s son, Jordan, as well as two other crew members captured the belt. This was the second time this group gave curling a try and we anticipate them coming back again next season. Photo by Joel McKee, ESPN
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Curling News UNITED STATES
VOlUmE 67, No. 2
December 2011
Official publication of the United States Curling Association Editor — Terry Kolesar Associate Editor—Rick Patzke Emeritus Editor—David Garber Design: Terry Kolesar Next editorial deadline: Jan. 20, 2012 The United States Curling News (ISSN 1064-3001; USPS 392-020) is published five times per year in October, November, February, March and May by the United States Curling Association. The USCA and Curling News office is located at 5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482. Telephone 715-344-1199. Subscription price for non-USCA members: $16 per year (North America), $26 per year (overseas), payable in US currency. Single copy price: $2.50. Advertising rates on request. Established 1945. Periodicals postage paid at Waupaca, Wisconsin, and additional offices as requested. Postmaster sends address changes to US Curling News, 5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482.
United States Curling Association Officers President Chris Sjue Vice Presidents Kent Beadle Dave Carlson Jerome Larson James Pleasants Treasurer Sean Silver Secretary Bob Pelletier Directors Paul Badgero [2012] Kent Beadle [2012] Craig Brown (AAC) [2012] Dave Carlson [2013] Maureen Clark (AAC) [2012] Gabrielle Coleman [2014] Lynita Delaney [2012] Janet Farr (USWCA) [2012] Dean Gemmell (AAC) [2012] Nancy Haggenmiller [2013] Peggy Hatch** [2014] Jonathan Havercroft [2013] Cyndee Johnson [2014] Gwen Krailo [2013] Jerome Larson [2012] Jan Legacie [2014]
Rich Lepping* [2012] Gordon Maclean [2013] Richard Maskel (AAC) [2012] Bob Pelletier [2012] James Pleasants [2013] Allison Pottinger (AAC) [2012] Leland Rich [2014] Sean Silver [2012] Chris Sjue [2013] Mark Swandby [2014] Ann Swisshelm (AAC) [2012] Beau Welling* [2012] Sam Williams [2014] * Board-elected ** Voice, no vote
USA Curling National Office 5525 Clem’s Way Stevens Point, WI 54482 Office: 715-344-1199 • Fax: 715-344-2279 E-mail: info@usacurl.org • Web site: www.usacurl.org CHIEF OPERATINg OFFICER: Rick Patzke, rick.patzke@usacurl.org DIRECTOR OF COmmUNICATIONS: Terry Kolesar, terry.kolesar@usacurl.org CONTROllER: Sandy Robinson, sandy.robinson@usacurl.org EVENT SERVICES mANAgER: Dawn Leurquin, dawn.leurquin@usacurl.org ADmINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Christy Hering, christy.hering@usacurl.org gROWTH & DEVElOPmENT mANAgER: Kim Nawyn, kim.nawyn@usacurl.org
Off-site staff: Director of Sport Education Scott Higgins 913-449-2933 • scott.higgins@usacurl.org Director of High Performance Derek Brown derek.brown@usacurl.org US: +1 715-254-5024 • UK: +44 7793 099668 National Wheelchair Development Coach Steve Brown, steve@stevescurling.com National Wheelchair Curling Outreach Development Director Marc DePerno, mdeperno@sitrin.com Head Ice Technician Dave Staveteig 701-772-0705 • daveandbrenda@gfwireless.com
AmERICAN CURlINg FOUNDATION & mUSEUm The Museum is located at the Chicago Curling Club, 555 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062 CURATOR: James M. Miller Jr. 2011 Glendale Ave. Northbrook, IL 60062 847-272-7224 UNITED STATES WOmEN’S CURlINg ASSOCIATION OFFICERS PRESIDENT Maureen Guay FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Bridget Matzke SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Shelley Dropkin SECRETARY Mary Ann Hulme TREASURER Carolyn MacLeod USCA LIAISON Janet Farr PROMOTIONS & Nancy Wilhelm PUBLIC RELATIONS
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DECEmBER 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Olympian at 16? No longer a dream for curlers
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our bright-eyed teenaged curlers won the right to represent the U.S. at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in January and will now embark on a journey to Austria. Congratulations to the team of Korey Dropkin, Sarah Anderson, Thomas Howell and Taylor Anderson. These curlers now have a page in USA Curling’s history book to continue to pave the way toward our bright future. Not only will they compete in traditional mixed curling events, they will try their hand at mixed doubles. However, they’ll be paired with teammates from other competing countries as part of the cultural and educational component at the heart of the Youth Olympic Games. It is pretty rare to be able to call yourself an Olympian – even rarer to do it at age 16, especially in our sport, which takes a lifetime for some to master. Warm Brains & Bodies Needed You may have noticed on Page 13 that we are seeking volunteers at the national office. We have a variety of duties to keep one busy, from thinking things such as Quickbooks entries to mindless tasks such as tidying and organizing the warehouse. If you are interested in joining our team, please either contact Christy Hering directly via phone (1-888-CURLERS, Ext. 207) or by e-mail at christy.hering@usacurl.org. You can also go online and fill out a brief questionnaire about your interests. Have a special skill? I’m sure we can find a task to make it further shine. Football, meet Curling Those who can’t do … coach, right? I’m not sure if that analogy is true or not but since my out-turn is so horrendous, I made my coaching debut (this is tongue-incheek, mind you) when the ESPN/Monday Night Football crew rolled into Green Bay in November. The booth talent – Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski – as well as sideline reporter Rachel Nichols and an enthusiastic crew of about 30 more came back for some more curling action after getting their feet wet two years ago at a similar event. The outcome, beyond the fun of curling and competing for the coveted ESPN Championship Curling Belt, was about 20-30 seconds of airtime during the Monday Night Football match-up between my Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. If we had paid for that air time, it would have cost about $4,000-7,000, as Green Bay President Jay Pennock was told by a friend who works for FOX. I was incredibly impressed once again with Tirico’s kindess
From the Editor’s Desk
Ideas? Complaints? Send your thoughts to Curling News Editor Terry Kolesar terry.kolesar@usacurl.org 715-344-1199, Ext. 202
and genuine interest in our sport. We’ve been told that they’ll be back to chase the cheese belt again. A complete gallery of photos from the night is posted on the USA Curling Facebook page. (Oh, and my team was third place, but I’m certain it had nothing to do with my random comments.) Social media Do you Foursquare? Have you heard of it? Foursquare is yet another social media experiment connecting lighthearted competition and relationships. Foursquare, in a nutshell, enables you to “check in” at certain locations and share the information with your friends. Some businesses offer specials (such as Chili’s Restaurant, which offers you free chips and salsa if you tell your server that you’ve checked in
there. Who can resist free chips and salsa?). You can compete with friends and earn badges of all degrees. USA Curling joined Foursquare this summer with the hope of getting all member clubs involved. That way when you head out to bonspiels you can create your own competition of sorts to see who has visited the most clubs in a month or season. Sound like a frivolous waste of time? Maybe not. I think most curlers are proud of the clubs they go to and events they support. Here’s just one more way to share that joy (and brag about it a little too). If you or your club decide to sign up for Foursquare, please “friend” USA Curling. And, if you check in at the national office in Stevens Point, Wis., you’ll receive a free baggage tag. (C’mon, where else are you going to get that?) Summer Curling It has been several years since we published a summer edition of the U.S. Curling News. Well, in 2012, it will be back … sort of. Because there is such a lapse between the May and late September issues and many bonspiel results and other news to report, we’ll be putting out a July edition but it will only be online. Those with a printed library of Curling News copies (I’ve heard those exist outside my inner sanctum!!), don’t fret. You’ll be able to print the PDF copy. This project also serves a secondary purpose – to see if you like a digital edition versus a hard copy. Until next time, see you along the ice.
Green Bay Curling Club President Jay Pennock (l-r), club member John Schnurer, Jordan Tirico and Mike Tirico pose prior to curling action. Pennock led the young Tirico to the ESPN Curling Championship title. Photo by Joel McKee, ESPN
Curling News
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
DECEmBER 2011
UNITED STATES
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Coaching junior curlers is very rewarding memory that will forever be etched in my mind is that of a team of young women I coached, sliding one after the other in their pre-game slide at the World Junior Curling Championships in Pinerolo, Italy. They slid with the grace of swans, one after another, gliding across their frozen pond. The red letters USA on their backs seemed to glow against the navy and white jackets. I was proud of them, and happy for them. The memory shifted back years earlier, to a time when the youngest of them could barely get the stone to the far end of the sheet. Those earliest days were special, but no days were as special as those between the two memories. As the girls became more
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Youth Corner
By Dave Jensen, Chairman, USCA Youth Committee proficient in the sport, we ventured out to junior bonspiels around the Midwest. Their eager anticipation of each new curling club was probably enough to deem each and every week a success. We didn’t win too many games in the early
Nawyn named USA Curling’s growth and development manager
that Sunday night. Cherished memories they are for me, and developmental building blocks, I hope, for the girls. We need junior coaches. Parents or friends who are willing to spend a little time developing young teams. Rule No. 1 is that it has to be fun. In recognition of that fact, the USCA requires entry-level coaches to take a course from the Positive Coaching Alliance called “Double-Goal Coaching.” It provides the tools to ensure that your team is playing the sport for all the right reasons. Check them out at www.positive coach.org. So, you say that fun only goes so far and, at some point, you need to help them become better curlers, because it sure is fun to win. Right you are, and
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Nawyn
to incorporate these ideas into practice.” Nawyn enters the position with a diverse background, which includes teaching criminology, conducting qualitative and quantitative research, and advising attorneys on trial strategy and presentation in high stakes civil and criminal litigation. As an active member of the Ardsley Curling Club in New York since 2006, and a board representative since 2009, Nawyn participated in numerous recruitment, retention, and training initiatives at the club level. She is now a member of the Stevens Point Curling Club.
there are so many resources available from USA Curling’s Training and Instruction and Coaching programs, including delivery mechanics, fault analysis, team dynamics, and team systems, to name just a few. All these tools are available on the USCA website under the Inside the USCA tab, then Training/Tools. There also are junior camps for all ages spread throughout the country. A list of these can be located on the website under the Championships tab, then camp calendar. If there isn’t a camp in your area or for your situation, let’s talk about organizing one! Consider starting your own story by mentoring a team of young curlers this year. The memories are there for the making.
Send in club dues and rosters by Jan. 31 by Christy Hering, U.S. Curling News staff
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by Terry Kolesar, Editor im Nawyn has been hired as USA Curling’s growth and development manager at the national office in Stevens Point, Wis. Nawyn relocated to Stevens Point from the New York metropolitan area in early October. As growth and development manager, Nawyn will be responsible for developing, implementing and servicing benefit programs for USA Curling members at all levels, from regions to clubs to individuals. These programs are the frontline efforts to bring value to the members of the USCA. This position also leads and manages efforts to drive the growth of the sport nationally. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to work for USA Curling as part of the organization’s commitment to the growth of the sport,” Nawyn said. “I look forward to learning from the experience of curlers around the country and partnering with them
days, but they sure were fun. We made sure of it. We made sure the curling was fun, and we made darn sure the trip was fun. At every venue, we would seek out something from which to make a memory. Winnipeg, Duluth, St. Paul – these trips were easy, of course, given there is so much to do in these cities. But Grafton, N.D. … well, there was the sugar beet caper. Eveleth, Minn., … we hunted taconite. Everyone who has been to Bemidji has had a photo taken with Paul Bunyan, but did you know there is a terrific science center in Bemidji? Centerville, Wis. … OK, you got me. Not really – the locks along the Mississippi River are pretty cool, and it only took six Red Bulls to help me get the team back to Bismarck
s in past years, USA Curling is using e-mail to distribute its packet of information for filing membership rosters and submitting USA Curling dues for 2011-12. hese notices are being sent to any club and region presidents, treasurers, and membership roster coordinators for whom we have e-mail addresses. The USA Curling rosters and dues materials will also be available on our website at www.usacurl.org. Included in this packet is information about our prize drawing for clubs that submit dues and rosters by the Jan. 31, 2012, deadline. Additional entries for this drawing will be awarded to those who complete our annual diversity survey by the same deadline. This year, if we receive your dues and rosters on time, it will have significant importance. At the 2012 Spring Members’ Meeting, regions will vote on proposed new bylaws adopted by the USCA Board of Directors at their September meeting. The purpose of the bylaws changes is to make the USCA a stronger and more effective organization. The bylaws will not be in effect until they are approved by the members. Your club membership reporting and dues payment will determine how many votes your region has. In order to be count-
Membership reporting will determine regional votes for bylaws change
ed for the spring vote, your club’s roster and dues must be received at the USA Curling office by the Jan. 31, 2012, deadline. Visit the USA Curling website for more information on the proposed bylaws and to read “Frequently Asked Questions,” as well as a discussion about the impact on competitive curlers. As in past years, we are asking all member clubs to update their rosters online at www.association-data.com. If you would like to update your roster via bulk upload, this file must be uploaded from the USA Curling office. Uploads can be sent directly to christy.hering@usacurl.org. If you have any questions or need assistance with any part of the filing process, contact me at the e-mail address listed above, or call 888-287-5377, Ext. 207. The USCA Membership Database has been designed and built with the assistance of USA Curling sponsor AtomAmpd, and will continue to evolve to meet the needs of our organization and members. Your suggestions for improvements to the database are welcome.
Nominate someone for Volunteer of the Year Award The U.S. Curling Association is proud to roll out its Volunteer of the Year Award. Nominations will be accepted through June 1, 2012, with the inaugural winner being announced next summer. The Volunteer of the Year Award honors one great volunteer that stands out for
his/her work to help promote the sport of curling. Please help spread the word about this great award to thank the backbone of our organization – our volunteers! Criteria and a nomination form can be found online at www.usacurl.org/usacurl. Thank you to all our great volunteers.
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Curling News UNITED STATES
DECEmBER 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Wausau plans new eight-sheet facility
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t seems that the Minnesota Monopoly of Eight-Sheet Curling Emporiums may be broken next season, if the energetic folks at the Wausau Curling Club have their way. Before we report on that, how about a nostalgic review of big facilities dedicated to curling (arbitrarily defined as six sheets or more)? One whopper (defunct for decades) was the 48-sheet “Big Four” club in Calgary, boasting 24 sheets on each of two levels. Imagine memorizing the ice and rocks at that place. Maybe the power scraper was invented there by a Popeye-armed ice maker tired of hand-scraping? In the U.S., some will recall the stately brick 12sheet club at Duluth (on the second floor, over a hockey arena, no less), a victim of urban renewal, long since replaced by the superb eight-sheet DECC facility. Superior’s old six-sheet club, near the base of the long bridge to Duluth, is but a memory, although on stormy days one can hear echoes of young Bud and (the late) Strummer’s “sweep” calls resounding in the nearby clouds. The second floor club room at that joint evoked the pool hall in The Hustler and, ‘cuz smoke gets in your eyes, you can recall guys who looked like Gleason, Newman and Scott playing gin rummy, having a drink and talking smart after a hard-fought game at that storied building. Anyway, that’s how it looked to a wide-eyed 20year-old at a late-’60s Wisconsin district playdown, in his first game
Tales From Sheet Nine
David Garber, dj.garber@charter.net against the world champions, leading off, and so nervous that during his first shot, he hit himself in the head with his own brush. (To clarify, that would be me.) Here’s a quick inventory of the “big” U.S. curlingonly facilities: Duluth, Eveleth and St. Paul (eight sheets); Hibbing (seven sheets); and six-sheet facilities at Bemidji, Fairbanks, Madison and Utica. This writer has never missed a shot at Fairbanks, but has had the distinct pleasure of missing many, and making some too, at the other seven curling palaces. Which brings us back to Wausau. Since the 1940s, the Wausau Curling Club has been housed in a fairground building in Marathon Park. Each fall, the members dutifully tidy up after the animals and get set up for curling. By the time visitors arrive for, say, the biggest high school bonspiel in the nation, the place looks great. To squeeze in five sheets,
The Funny Side
each sheet had to be narrower than regulation, and each house less than the full 12 feet. (One always had a ready excuse when a few inches short of the rings there!) Wausau has always been a great place for a bonspiel and fellowship. The club has always been a national leader in supporting scholastic curling. Now, as reported by multiple media sources, the club will soon be housed in an eight-sheet, modern, bright, energy-efficient facility. We contacted Wausau Curling Club leaders Cal Tillisch, Cory Sandquist and Perry Grueber to ask them if the recent publicity, which extended to Yahoo! News and other national news outlets (even bigger than the Curling News!) was true. Would Wausau have an eight-sheet curling facility in use for the 2012-13 curling season? Yes, barring unexpected setbacks to a very complex project. Sandquist is club president; Grueber is the club’s public relations chief. Tillisch co-chairs the project’s fund-raising committee with CPA Jeff Stubbe, and doubles as chair of the building committee. Tillisch is a real-estate attorney, which he says has been handy knowledge for this giant real-estate project. He and spouse, Marcia, are national curling champions and long-time local curling boosters. Sandquist has curled since he was a kid; Grueber for just five years, but had limited immunity and rapidly developed a case of the curling virus. Together, their skills and enthusiasm make it evident why the massive project will
succeed. “We budgeted $3 million for this project,” Tillisch states, “but agreed to keep publicity low-key until we had raised two-thirds of that figure.” Grueber adds, “We agreed we would not operate with significant longterm debt. We want to keep the cost of curling affordable for Wausau area residents.” At press time, the committee has firm commitments for $2.4 million in support from Wausau area foundations and individuals. The Wausau Curling Club has more than 500 curlers, including 170 high school curlers. There is considerable unmet demand that eight sheets can satisfy. For example, in a recent media interview, a high school athlete said that more practice time availability was needed to raise the team’s competitive level. More sheets will mean more practice time. The plans call for Olympic-sized 16-foot-wide sheets, laser-leveled concrete base, and six-foot carpeted walkways and easy access to the ice, not only for general roominess but to fully accommodate wheelchair curling. Modern energy efficiencies should keep energy use for eight sheets at or below the level for the current five sheets. Sandquist likes the opportunity to further serve the Wausau community. “We think of the new facility as a civic feature. Events like the Badger State Games and other bonspiels generate important economic activity.”
The club owns 15 acres near Grand Avenue, just south of central Wausau. A soccer group owns an adjacent 45 acres. “With complementary seasons, we expect synergy from cooperation with the soccer folks on subjects like parking areas,” says Tillisch. All three spokespersons stated that the club is very enthusiastic about hosting national and international events at the new facility, “from national to world championships and Olympic selection events,” says Sandquist. To contact the committee for more information, including a brochure with a map, a list of major financial supporters and more background, and/or to make a tax-deductible donation, browse www.cfoncw.org (Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, look for Wausau Curling Club Building Fund); or call Cal Tillisch at 715-848-4045 (H), 715-849-8100, Ext.5 (O); or e-mail fundraising@wausaucurling.org. Wausau Curling Club, Inc. is a tax-exempt, 501(c)3 organization. Fundraising vehicles include a Wall of Honor for donations of $2,500 and up, and 12-inch Terrazo floor tiles in the new lobby at the $300 (one line, 22 characters) and $600 level (three lines). The publicity continues: Tillisch, Sandquist and Olympian Debbie McCormick will be interviewed on Wisconsin Public radio Thursday, Dec. 8 between 5 and 6 p.m.
The USWCA Circuit Event Compete in Women’s Bonspiels and Earn Points for Area and National Cash Awards! Learn about The Circuit: • How you can compete in The Circuit in Women’s Bonspiels in all Areas of the USWCA! • How your club's Women's Bonspiel can become part of The Circuit! Register your Club’s Bonspiel for Increased Participation! Register yourself as a Circuit Participant!
www.uswca.org Click on “USWCA Circuit Event” on the Home Page
Curling News
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
UNITED STATES
DECEmBER 2011
5
Poor release will result in a 2-cent shot
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ears ago, I heard Bill Tschirhart of Canada’s True North Curling, Inc., say that a $1 million slide and a 2-cent release will produce a 2-cent shot. For all that I have said in previous articles about proper alignment and good balance, none of that matters if you don’t have a good grip, turn, and release. So, what makes for a good release? A good release starts with a proper grip. First of all, remember that you are not trying to choke a chicken. If your knuckles are turning white, your grip is too tight. Slide your four fingers under the handle with the pads of your fingers at about the middle knuckle at the bottom of the handle. Don’t let your fingers fan out – keep them close together. Don’t jam them into the curve of the handle and don’t let your little finger drift off the back. If you do, you will end up either steering the stone narrow or flipping it wide. Keeping your wrist high above the handle, now fold your thumb over the top of the handle and lightly pinch the handle on the side opposite your palm. Your
palm should not be touching the handle. Here is a little drill to make sure that you grip is directly above the bolt hole (e.g., the center of the stone): Once you have gripped the stone, stand up over the stone without moving your grip. Now, using only your shoulders, lift the stone a few inches, than gently set it back on the ice. Listen to how many sounds you hear as the stone hits the ice. If you hear more than one, your grip is not centered. Adjust your grip either forward or back, and try again. When you find the “sweet spot” you will only hear one sound – the entire cup hitting the ice at the same time. From now on, never throw another shot without your grip at that “sweet spot.” So, you’re in the hack, you are aligned to the skip’s broom, you’re balanced, and your grip is good. Now, it’s time to cock the handle. Depending on which turn is being played, turn the handle to either the 10 or 2 o’clock position. The handle should stay in that location until about the last 4 feet of your slide. During that last 4 feet, gently, but firmly, turn the handle toward the 12 o’clock
The U.S. Curling Association is proud to recognize the following sponsors who support our sport and organization:
Training Tips From Jon
Jon Mielke, jon.mielke@ndsu.edu
position and release it. Make sure that your hand is not on the handle at or past the 12 o’clock position or you may end up steering the stone and getting it immediately off line. Remember, a curling stone does not start to curl until it is well beyond the point of release. If the stone is immediately off that invisible line from the hack to the skip’s broom, there was probably a faulty release. Here is another little drill to check out your release. Set a plastic cup on the ice about 5 feet beyond where you normally release a
stone (remember to keep it within 18 inches of the center line at the hog line – that is equal to shooting at the outer edge of the house at the other end). Next, set up another cup 10-12 feet farther down the ice, on a line that runs from the delivery side of the hack and through the first cup. (A great way to set this up for several throws is to use a string or laser set up from the hack. Once you have the cups set up in a straight line, use a marker to put light marks on the ice so you can reposition the cups after each practice throw. Don’t worry, the lines will come off the next time the ice is scraped). Now, shoot at the nearest cup – you and the stone should go straight to that cup and, once you release the stone, it should hit both cups. If you miss the nearest cup, your alignment was probably bad. If you hit the first cup but not the second, there is probably something wrong with your release. Start over and try again until you get it right. Strive to hit the cups with the exact center of the stone. If you miss at close range, you will be way off at the far end. Remember to count the
rock’s rotations as it travels down the ice. For the ice in most clubs, curlers should strive for 2½ to 3 revolutions and everyone on your team should have the same number of revolutions. A “lazy” handle will curl more or may even lose its turn, and an over-rotated stone will tend to run straighter. Be consistent as an individual and as a team – you will make more shots and win more games. Also strive for a common release point for everyone on your team. Rocks with drastically different release points will curl differently. Consistent release points and rotations will make reading the ice and anticipating curl much easier for the skip. It’s nice to look pretty as you’re sliding down the ice. But, remember, a $1 million slide and a 2-cent release will get you a 2-cent shot. Until next time, good curling!
Mielke is a Level III instructor and a Level III coach. He is the past chairman of the USCA’s Training & Instruction Committee and a member of Bismarck’s Capital Curling Club.
Brazil set to challenge USA for 2012 Men’s World Championship berth by Terry Kolesar, Editor
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he Bemidji Curling Club in Bemidji, Minn., will host a challenge between the United States and Brazil on Jan. 27-29 for the final Americas berth at the 2012 World Men’s Curling Championship in Basel, Switzerland. Brazil issued its third challenge against the U.S. for the berth and will get the opportunity to earn it in a best-of-five competition spread over three days in January. The Brazilians have previously challenged the U.S. for the men’s world berths in 2009 and 2010 but have thus far been unsuccessful. The U.S. team for the challenge will be the defending U.S. champions, led by 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Pete Fenson (Bemidji, Minn.). Twelve teams compete at both the men’s and women’s World Curling
Championships each year. Two teams represent the Americas Zone, encompassing both North and South America. Since the inception of the world championships, the only two World Curling Federation member associations to represent the Americas have been Canada and the United States. Canada has qualified for the 2012 Worlds because they ranked higher at the completion of the 2011 Worlds (Canada finished first to USA’s 10th place showing). Brazil, a WCF member since 1998, is challenging the U.S. for the second Americas berth in Basel. All five Brazilian nationals – Luis Silva, Celso Kossaka, Marcelo Mello, Cesar Santos and Filipe Nunes – are currently training in Quebec, Canada, at the Lennoxville Curling Club. They’ll face Fenson and his team of Shawn Rojeski (Chisholm, Minn.), Joe Polo (Duluth, Minn.)
and Ryan Brunt (Bemidji, Minn.). January is a busy month for U.S. teams trying to qualify for the 2012 Nationals. As a result of this and the timing of the challenge, the defending champions will earn a bye into the 2012 National Championships in February in Philadelphia.
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Curling News UNITED STATES
DECEmBER 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
College Curling
Three events, three locations and three dates by Rich Larko, College Curling Coordinator
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he popularity of the annual National College Tournament has a limited number of teams because of limited ice time in Chicago, plus travel expenses for distant teams. This season we are expanding to more locations around the country to assure competitive curling for more teams and schools. We welcome new and one-year teams to provide the fun and experience of real competition. The format continues to divide regional events into separate divisions based on experience. All teams will curl against teams with similar experience just like in the past. Best of all, the dates are spread out so teams can enter any or all regionals. Three superb clubs will be hosting regionals this sea-
Teams can enter any or all regional events; new teams welcome son with award pins presented to four teams in each eight-team division. Food and soft drinks will be provided to all curlers. Attention all student curlers: Whatever your experience, get teams together and send entries in as soon as possible. The following curling clubs will be hosting regional events: Bowling green Regional Where: BGSU, Bowling Green, Ohio, When: Feb. 17-19 Contact: Nick Derksen, derksen.nick@gmail.com Deadline for regional entries: 5 p.m., Feb. 1 Cost: $150 (please make check
out to Bowling Green CC). Checks can be mailed to Nick Derksen at 840 Eighth St., Apt. 116, Bowling Green, OH 43402. Contact Derksen for travel and hotel information. Kettle moraine Regional Where: Kettle Moraine CC, Hartland, Wis. When: March 10-11 Contact: Mike Schuder, mschuder@carrollu.edu Deadline: 5 p.m., March 1 Fee: $150 (please make check out to Kettle Moraine CC). Contact Schuder for address to mail check to as well as travel and hotel information. Kettle Morraine CC is located about 25 miles west
Green Bay to host 2013 National Championships by Terry Kolesar, Editor Green Bay, Wis., has been selected to host the 2013 USA Curling National Championships at the Cornerstone Community Center in partnership with the Green Bay Curling Club and Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “We are very excited to be hosting the championships,” said Don Chilson, manager of the Cornerstone Community Center and cochair of the 2013 National Championships. “It will be a great experience for us and all our user groups to see something truly different go on in our facility. We really appreciate the opportunity that USA Curling has given us.” The Nationals will take place Feb. 9-16, 2013. The top 10 men’s and 10 women’s teams will compete in the weeklong competition and become national champions and earn the privilege to represent the U.S. at the 2013 World Championships. In addition, the 2013 Nationals will be the second qualifying event for teams to advance to the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling. The Cornerstone Community Center is located in the city of DePere and was built in 2000 as the new home of Green Bay Area Youth Hockey, St. Norbert Green Knights
Hockey, and the Cornerstone Skating Club. “The United States Curling Association is excited to bring the 2013 Men’s and Women’s National Championships to Green Bay,” said Chris Sjue, president of USA Curling. “The city, the excellent venue, and the intense competition will make Green Bay the place to be in February 2013.” The three-sheet Green Bay Curling Club has been a partner with USA Curling for the past few seasons, hosting High Performance camps in the summer and other early training ice opportunities for athletes. “We are honored by our selection to host the 2013
ACF&M donations accepted Donations to the American Curling Foundation and Museum, located in the Chicago Curling Club, can be sent to 555 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. The curator is James Miller Jr., 847-272-7224.
National Curling Championships here in Green Bay,” said Bill Rhyme of the Green Bay Curling Club, who will serve as co-chair of the 2013 Nationals. “We have an excellent partnership with Cornerstone Community Ice Center and the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, which will allow us to host an exciting and firstclass championship event.” The winning teams from the 2013 Nationals will be prepared to represent the U.S. at the world championships. The 2013 Ford World Men’s Championship will be March 30-April 7, 2013, in Victoria, British Columbia, while Riga, Latvia, will host the 2013 World Women’s Championship March 16-24, 2013.
of Milwaukee in Hartand, Wis., several miles east of I-94. The event will have two games Saturday and one Sunday morning, with finals at around 11:30 Sunday morning. Broomstones Regional Where: Broomstones, Wayland, Mass. When: March 30-April 1 Contact: Monica Walker, monica.wlkr@gmail.com (note: no vowels in wlkr) Deadline: 5 p.m., March 1 Fee: $150 (please make check out to Broomstones CC). Contact Walker for address to mail check to as well as travel and hotel information. Three-draw minimum, playoffs on Sunday. Teams will be ranked by experience. Visit the College Curling website to download entry forms and to learn more information about the above events.
Certifications level I instructor Robert J. Benson Brian Davidson Erik de Vreeze Daniel Ferch Chris Gaumer Steven Greasby Todd Herbert Tamera Hoffman Wesley Hoffman Miranda Hofmann Sandra Kawleski Liana Knott
David Krause Debra Kutok Bill Nickle Mark Piskura II Doug Schmucker Francesca Somma Georgette Trachta Olivia Wolff level I Instructor Recertification Kathleen J. Giedt Ronel W. Giedt Amit Thakkar
Eight-Ender Utica The Jason Brien rink achieved an eight-ender on Oct. 27, 2011, during the fifth end in the “skip-ladder” league night at the Utica Curling Club in
Utica, N.Y. After two rocks from the opposing team picked, a control-weight double takeout was delivered by Jason Brien. His teammates included Jared Wydysh, David Cragnolin and John Collea.
Curling News
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
UNITED STATES
DECEmBER 2011
7
Competitive curling: Governance or operational matters?
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s discussions across the U.S. Curling Association (USCA) community continue about the new bylaws up for member consideration, the rights of competitive curlers have become another recurring topic. The USCA Governance Task Force, established by resolution of the USCA Board of Directors, was charged with reviewing the organization’s structure and coming forth with recommendations for a clear policy setting role for the board and its committees. The Task Force members include Chris Sjue, Jerome Larson, David Carlson, Jim Pleasants, Kent Beadle, Ann Swisshelm, Richard Maskel, Beau Welling, Andy Anderson, Leland Rich and Bob Pelletier. This group approached its objectives with the belief that the point of governance reform is to create a solid foundation upon which the USCA, as a national body, may build a world-class organization, both on and off the ice. The governance reform and proposed bylaw provisions are intended to address the perceived and real impediments to the USCA excelling. These impediments include, without limitation: 1. Convoluted lines of authority between the Board, its officers, and the CEO and staff; 2. The overlap of policy and operational concerns at the Board level; 3. Under performance in raising funds from independent sources; 4. No direct voice and vote in the governmental
affairs of the USCA by those who are paying the member dues, the curling clubs and the curler members of those clubs; and 5. Elections to national policy setting positions based solely on regionality when the USCA is to serve curling nationwide from a national perspective. Just as the nation’s curling competitors are judged by their performance on the ice, the organization itself is judged by the marketplace. If the USCA staff doesn’t serve the needs of the constituency, if the organization fails to be relevant to its members, then it has no membership and thus no funding. These are factors any Board must consider in weighing and establishing policies and goals of the USCA. High Performance programs and the participating competitive athletes are but one segment of the constituency of the USCA. High performance itself is not a governance issue; it is an operational issue. The reformation of the bylaws of the USCA addresses basic governance issues, not the details of how to administer competitive programs. A substantial reason why the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) responded with concerns about the current USCA governance is the failure of the USCA to clearly distinguish governance from operational issues. The USCA Board of Directors has been actively engaged in operational issues. This is not in keeping with corporate governance best practices. The USOC also per-
ceived the USCA to be failing to follow the corporate best practice of clearly delineating lines of authority. During the annual preparation and presentation of the annual USCA High Performance Plan, the USOC began to question who was actually in charge and exercising the authority to make final decisions regarding the High Performance Program – the volunteer Directors or the paid High Performance staff (hired with USOC dollars). The USCA Governance Task Force established at the direction of the Board approached its work with the understanding that bylaws are intended to be the foundational document setting forth the basic governmental structure and policies of the organization. How competitive athletes and their programs are chosen and implemented is not a basic governmental issue, it is an operational issue. The rights of competitive athletes of a National Governing Body (NGB) of an Olympic sport in the United States are set forth in federal law, the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act, as administered by the USOC. This law states, among other things, that competitive athletes must have a minimum 20 percent representation on all NGB committees dealing with high performance programs and the spending of USOC resources on these programs. The athlete rights do not include guaranteeing any specific method of selection of a team, however, or how teams are to be coached/managed, or funded. These are operational
2011-12 Championship & Playdown Schedule Event: 2012 Senior Men’s Nationals* 2012 Senior Women’s Nationals* December: 2012 Mixed Doubles National Championship* January: 2012 Men’s Nationals Qualifying Round
Dates: Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Dec. 2-4
2012 Continental Cup 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games 2012 Nationals Challenge Round – Men 2012 Nationals Challenge Round –Women 2012 Junior National Championships February: 2012 National Championships USWCA National Bonspiel USSMCA Bonspiel 2012 World Wheelchair Championship march: 2012 Club National Championships 2012 World Junior Championships 2012 Mixed National Championship 2012 Ford World Women’s Championship April: 2012 Capital One World Men’s Championship 2012 World Senior Championships 2012 World Mixed Doubles Championship
Jan. 12-15 Jan. 13-22 Jan. 19-22 Jan. 19-22 Jan. 28-Feb. 4
*accordion in nature
Registration deadline:
Site: Bismarck, N.D. Grafton, N.D.
Dec. 7-11
Broomstones CC, Wayland, Mass.
Jan. 4-8
Green Bay, Seattle, Potomac & Grand Forks Langley, British Columbia Innsbruck, Austria Eau Claire, Wis. Marshfield, Wis. Madison, Wis.
Dec. 7
Philadelphia, Pa. St. Paul, Minn. Wauwatosa & Kettle Moraine, Wis. Chuncheon City, South Korea
Feb. 11-18 Feb. 15-19 Feb. 16-19 Feb. 18-25 March 3-10 March 3-11 March 17-24 March 17-25 March 31-April 8 April 14-21 April 23-29
Nov. 30/Jan. 11 Jan. 25
Mankato, Minn. Ostersund, Sweden Portage, Wis. Lethbridge, Alberta Basel, Switzerland Taarnby, Denmark Erzurum, Turkey
details which may and do change as circumstances warrant from year to year. While the many high performance program details are operational, competitive athletes in the USCA do have substantial input into team selection procedures, the overall High Performance Plan, Olympic Trials formats, and so on. Under the leadership of High Performance Director Derek Brown, the USCA maintains a commitment to receiving input from athletes and other advisory group members, while maintaining authority over these operational decisions. The USCA believes that the proposed governance reform will implement best practices to enable the USCA to excel as an NGB. By excelling as an NGB, the USCA will provide the best operational support to all of its constituencies, of which competitive athletes
are one. For the above reasons, the undersigned USCA Governance Task Force members fully endorse the proposed bylaw changes, which we believe will further position the USCA to continue to build a worldclass organization. Signed, Andy Anderson, USCA Past President Kent Beadle, USCA Vice President, Competitive Programs Committee Dave Carlson, USCA Vice President, Operations & Marketing James Pleasants, USCA Vice President, Championships Leland Rich, USCA Past President Chris Sjue, USCA President Ann Swisshelm, USCA Director & Athletes Advisory Council Chair Beau Welling, USCA Director
Hall of Fame nominations sought Nominations are now being accepted for consideration for the USA Curling Hall of Fame. Curlers can be nominated in three categories: curler, builder or curler/builder based on the candidate’s contributions to the sport. Nomination paperwork can be found online at www.usacurl.org/goodcurling. The deadline for submissions is June 1, 2012. Submit supporting information to the USA Curling office via e-mail to Dawn Leurquin at dawn.leurquin@usacurl.org, via fax to 715-344-2279, or by mail to 5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482. Selection is determined by the USCA Athlete/Curler Recognition Committee.
Regional playdown schedule: Junior Nationals Playdowns, by region: Alaska Dec. 16-18 At-Large TBA GNCC Dec. 26-31 GLCA Dec. 29-30 Illinois Dec. 27-28 Minnesota Dec. 29-Jan. 1 MoPac Dec. 29-31 North Dakota Dec. 29-31 Washington Dec. 17-19 Wisconsin Dec. 26-30
Location: Fairbanks CC TBA Broomstones, MA Midland, MI Exmoor, IL Duluth, MN Seattle, WA Grand Forks, ND Seattle, WA Waupaca, WI
Club Nationals Playdowns, by region: Alaska Feb. 11-12 At-Large Jan. 26-29 GNCC Dec. 15-18 (w) Jan. 19-22 (m) GLCA Jan. 13-15 Illinois Jan. 26-29 Minnesota Feb. 3-5 MoPac Jan. 13-15 North Dakota Jan. 12-15 Washington Dec. 17-19 Wisconsin Dec. 15-18
Location: Fairbanks, AK Chicago, IL Belfast, ME (w) Cape Cod, MA (m) Cleveland, OH Exmoor, IL Hibbing, MN Kearns, UT Fargo, ND Seattle, WA Centerville, WI
mixed Playdowns, by region: Alaska Feb. 17-19 At-Large Feb. 17-19 GNCC Feb. 2-5 GLCA Feb. 10-12 Illinois Feb. 17-19 Minnesota Feb. 24-26 MoPac Feb. 3-5 North Dakota Feb. 9-12 Washington Feb. 3-5 Wisconsin Feb. 24-26
Location: Fairbanks, AK Chicago, IL Nutmeg, CT Detroit, MI Chicago, IL Two Harbors, MN Seattle, WA Grafton, ND Seattle, WA Clintonville, WI
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DECEmBER 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Group rates make Philly in February affordable by Anthony Lorusso, co-chair, 2012 National Championships
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ith the 2012 Men’s and Women’s National Championships in the Philadelphia region approaching fast, major corporations are starting to take notice and jump on board with the fastest growing Olympic sport. This year’s championships, being held just 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia, provides a great opportunity to get many different companies involved in the event. IceWorks Skating Complex, the home of the 2012 Nationals, has great access to many different areas in southeastern Pennsylvania. Besides the great action on the ice, there will be many off-ice fan-friendly happenings going on prior to the event and throughout the week of competition. Leading up to the 2012 Nationals, Neumann University, located just five minutes away from IceWorks Skating Complex, has partnered up with the 2012 USA Curling Nationals and Kurling.us. Between the three parties, an educational program has been developed to teach the local communities in the Philadelphia region about the sport of curling. To do this, Local Organizing Committee (LOC) members will go out to different schools and retirement homes using Kurling.us curling kits that allow people to try curling on either a hardwood or carpeted surface. The
“Learn To Curl” program will also take place at IceWorks Skating Complex after “Learn To Skate” sessions beginning in December. IceWorks Skating Complex has recently announced they will be holding live auditions for the singing of the National Anthem. They will be holding these auditions during their annual Winterfest that takes place Dec. 28-29. All hopefuls must register online on IceWorks official website, www.iceworks.net. The winner will receive a prize package including the right to sing the National Anthem at opening ceremonies of the 2012 Nationals on Feb. 11. Group rates are being offered to groups of 10 or more people that order tickets at the same time. These tickets will be discounted 20 percent off of the face value of the ticket. All group rates must be booked through calling our LOC at 610-497-2200, Ext. 117. The discount can be applied to all event passes, full-day passes, and individual sessions. In addition to offering discounted tickets to groups, the 2012 Nationals has teamed up with Enterprise Car Rental, which has provided a discount code toward the rental of a vehicle while attending the 2012 Nationals. All athletes, officials, fans, and spectators are invited and encouraged to use this promo code that can be found on the official event website, www.2012usacurlingnationals.com. While staying in the
The IceWorks Skating Complex in Aston, Penn., just outside of Philadelphia is set to host the 2012 USA Curling National Championships Feb. 11-18. Get your tickets today! Group rates are available to help offset the cost to get to Philly. Submitted photo
Philadelphia area, more than 20 local hotels have offered discounted rates for fans to use. These rates, along with hotel information, can also be found on the official 2012 USA Curling National Championship website. Many of the event sponsors will be involved daily off the ice in providing our fans with a memorable time. Most sponsors have donated give-away baskets and raffle items that fans will have the chance to win. Local college and restaurant mascots are scheduled to appear throughout the weeklong event to interact with fans in our Fan Zone. This year’s Fan Zone will be something to look forward to with musical appearances by local talent,
interactive booths featuring our event sponsors, Nintendo Wii Curling, vendor tables by Brooms Up Curling Supplies, exclusive event merchandise, and a photo center featuring daily event photos from Stephan’s Sports Photography. The 2012 USA Curling Nationals promises to be one of the most entertaining, fan-friendly events of the year. Don’t miss your chance to be in Philadelphia to see the best curling of the year. Tickets are on sale now. For more information about everything pertaining to the 2012 USA Curling National Championships, visit our official website, www.2012usacurlingnationals.com.
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
DECEmBER 2011
9
Dropkin rink to represent USA at Youth Olympics Continued from Page 1: Both Team Dropkin and Team Dudt finished the round robin with identical 7-1 records, forcing the sudden-death tiebreaker game. After Dropkin settled for a single in the first, Dudt (Malvern, Pa.) and teammates Katie Sigurdson (Grand Forks, N.D.), Cameron Vike (Malvern, Pa.) and Madeline Shaft (Grand Forks, N.D.) would replicate that. However, that single would prove to be the only point the team would score as Dropkin’s team rattled off nine straight points, prompting Dudt’s team to concede the win. Tied 1-1, Dropkin took advantage of a light draw by Dudt in the third end to draw for the deuce. Constant pressure with plenty of rocks in the house from the Dropkin rink haunted the Dudt team in the fourth end. Dudt failed to execute on both of his attempts in that end, resulting in a steal of three for Dropkin’s team. More pressure in the fifth end by Dropkin’s team resulted in Dudt coming up short with his draw and four more points were stolen, which proved too large of a lead for the Pennsylvania/North Dakota rink to overcome.
Round robin standings: 7-1 Korey Dropkin Daniel Dudt 7-1 Tyler Runing 6-2 Mark Fenner 5-3 Mackenzie Lank 4-4 Alex Kitchens 3-5 Sean Burchesky 2-6 2-6 Paul Tharalson Russell Passmore 0-8 Tiebreaker line score: 010 00x xx – 1 Dudt *Dropkin 102 34x xx – 10 *last stone in first end “If it couldn’t be us, we're glad that they won it. They deserve it,” Dudt said. “It still hurts, but it was a great experience.” Because this event has such a specific age group from which to draw athletes from, many of the nine competing teams had to search long and hard for teammates born between Jan. 1, 1994, and Dec. 31, 1995. That became a focal point in the tiebreaker as Dropkin’s teammate Howell was responsible for helping the Dudt team form. Dudt and Vike play in league with Howell and put them in contact with their teammates. The first time the girls met Dudt and Vike was when they picked them up at the airport earlier in the week. “It didn’t even cross my mind during
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Nine teams competed to become USA’s first curling team to compete at the Winter Youth Olympic Games. A round robin with a double knockout was played at the Grafton Curling Club. Photo submitted by Mike Steinfeldt
the game. Afterward I joked with Daniel that he would never get another favor out of me. But, I was just joking. I like it when everyone who wants to play gets to play,” Howell said. The second-place result was more than the foursome imagined. “We were seeded sixth and our goal was to finish higher than we were seeded. We accomplished that and more,” Sigurdson said.
All members of Team Dropkin are concentrating on qualifying for the upcoming Junior National Championships as well with their respective men’s and women’s teams. Team members are spread out across three curling clubs in the Northeast, but that hasn’t stopped them from winning this season. Earlier this fall, they captured the Blazing Leaves Bonspiel title together at the Nutmeg
Curling Club in Connecticut. Team USA will be coached by 2010 Olympic women’s coach Wally Henry (Beaver Dam, Wis.). To find out more about the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games, visit www.innsbruck.2012.com. Editor’s note: Thank you to Ben Tucker for assisting with post-game interviews and game analysis.
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Curling News UNITED STATES
DECEmBER 2011
Olympic Trials to be staged in Fargo Continued from Page 1: Also bidding to host the Trials were Bemidji, Minn.; Green Bay, Wis.; Sioux City, Iowa; and Willmar, Minn. Green Bay has been selected to host the 2013 USA Curling National Championships at the Cornerstone Community Center. “We are extremely excited to welcome USA Curling and the U.S. Olympic Committee to Fargo for the 2014 Trials,” said Jon Kram, general manager of Scheels Arena. “We enjoyed having them here for the national championships earlier this year, and we are looking forward to working with them on
another successful event that will bring recognition to the Fargo-Moorhead community.” A field of a maximum five men’s teams and four women’s teams will compete at the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling for a chance to represent the U.S. in Sochi. Teams will begin qualifying for the Olympic Trials this season, with the top two men’s and women’s teams at the conclusion of the 2012 USA Curling National Championships earning the first berths. The 2014 Olympic Winter Games will take place Feb. 7-23, 2014, in Sochi, Russia.
Icemaking help needed in Philly for Nationals USCA Head Ice Technologist Dave Staveteig is in need of approximately 10 volunteers to assist with the ice preparation for the 2012 USA Curling Men’s and Women’s Nationals in Philadelphia (IceWorks Arena, Aston, Pa.). The preparations will begin late Monday night, Feb. 6, and continue through Friday, Feb. 10. Once competition begins, ice making volunteers will be needed each day from about 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., through the championship games Feb. 18. You may register on the Philadelphia Nationals website at http://2012usacurlingnationals.com/volunteer or send an e-mail stating the dates and times you are available to Rick Patzke at USA Curling, rick.patzke@usacurl.org. There are many other volunteer opportunities available in several areas including officiating, hospitality, ushers/gate attendants, stats, media and more.
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
USA’s team for Wheelchair Worlds set by Terry Kolesar, Editor
E
arlier this fall, the final eight athletes eligible to be part of Team USA for the 2012 World Wheelchair Championship were selected after a threeday individual tryout competition featuring 14 athletes from across the United States held at the Madison Curling Club in McFarland, Wis. Athletes selected for the final eight included 2010 Paralympians Patrick McDonald (Madison, Wis.) and James Joseph (New Two-time U.S. Paralympian Jimmy Joseph delivers a stone Hartford, N.Y.) as well during competition last year at the World Wheelchair as Penny Greely (Green Championship. Joseph made his sixth national wheelchair Bay, Wis.), David curling team. Palmer (Mashpee, Photo courtesy of the World Curling Federation Mass.), Bob Prenoveau (Chittenango, N.Y.), Meghan Lino (East Falmouth, Mass.), Tim Kelly (Rockford, Ill.) McDonald, Palmer, Joseph, Greely and and Gerald Wynne Jr. (Plover, Wis.). Kelly. The eight athletes participated in The selection was based on individseveral highly competitive wheelchair ual skills testing, game participation curling events in November to help and strategy assessment as well as determine Team USA’s five final athinterviews to determine team/player letes. Selected to represent the U.S. at compatibility. the 2012 World Wheelchair Curling The team is coached by Steve Championship Feb. 18-25 in Brown and assisted by Rusty Schieber. Chuncheon City, South Korea, were Marc Deperno serves as team leader.
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USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Curling News UNITED STATES
Debbie McCormick – Olympian US and World Champion
DECEmBER 2011
Team Kevin Martin – Olympic Gold medalists Brier and World Champions
The same equipment used by champions is available to you. To order any Goldline product in the US, contact me, Debbie McCormick, at 608 212 6047 or curling@usa.com. I also do “House” calls with the Goldline mobile pro shop.
Please contact me to arrange a visit to your club. Debbie McCormick web site: www.goldlinemobile.com
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Curling News UNITED STATES
DECEmBER 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Montgomery rink wins Senior Bonspiel by Bobbie Stoll, 2011 Senior Women’s Bonspiel Chair
T
he snow and ice had melted and the power was back on! The autumn weather returned and made for a beautiful USWCA Senior Women’s Bonspiel in Bridgeport, Conn. The 30th Annual Bonspiel was held at the Nutmeg Curling Club Nov. 9-13. Nutmeg is also celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. Twenty-four teams from across the USWCA’s four regions participated. The Montgomery Rink
from Mayfield Curling Club was the champion of the bonspiel. Skipped by Dee Montgomery, Paula Forsythe played third, Kathy Collins second, and the lead was Leslie Cooke. Opening ceremonies were held at the club on Wednesday evening, with the first rock thrown by current USWCA President Maureen Guay, who was later seen on the winner’s podium for the Fourth Event. When teams were not curling they were off to the local aquarium, aboard an old whaling ship in Mystic, shopping, walking the
beach, enjoying the local seafood and catching-up with friends from across the country. The members of the Nutmeg Curling Club made excellent hosts for this year’s event. Eydie Savett, head official for the event, kept the six-draw days running on time, resolved rules questions quickly, and generally kept the peace. Next year’s USWCA Senior Women’s Bonspiel will be held at the Mayfield Curling Club. Please check with your club representative or visit our website at www.uswca.org for more information.
USWCA set to sponsor three junior ’spiels this year by Leslie Armstrong, USWCA Junior Bonspiel Chairwoman
T
he USWCA is sponsoring three regional junior bonspiels this season in order to promote interclub curling among juniors. The USWCA will provide winner and runnerup pins for four events as well as a traveling trophy for the first-event winners. This season’s junior bonspiels will be held at the following clubs: • The Duluth Curling Club in Duluth, Minn., will host the Bert Payne Junior Bonspiel, Dec. 9-11. Contact: Heidi Bauman at curlinmom@gmail.com. • The Exmoor Country Club, in Highland Park, Ill., will host a junior bonspiel on Jan. 21-22. Contact: Russ Brown at rcblf@comcast.net. • The Cape Cod Curling Club in Falmouth, Mass., will host a junior bonspiel on Jan. 27-29. USWCA bonspiels are open to teams of juniors from the United States (under 21)
and from Canada (under 19). Teams are open format (any combination of males and females). Bonspiel participants do not have to belong to USWCA-member clubs. Teams can enter a USWCA junior bonspiel from any region. Teams may also play in more than one USWCA bonspiel in a single season. Travel assistance is available for those teams that travel more than 150 miles by car or more than 300 miles by bus, rail, or air. More information regarding travel reimbursement is available on the USWCA website, www.uswca.org. The USWCA is looking for member clubs who are willing to host junior bonspiels in the coming seasons. The host club can elect to have the USWCA sponsor an existing ’spiel; it is not necessary to add an additional event to the calendar. For more information on hosting a USWCA-sponsored bonspiel in 2012 or beyond, please contact me at flingtime@comcast.net.
Calling all curlers with five or fewer years of experience by Karen Ronk, Chairwoman, Five-Year-and-Under Bonspiel
A
ll new or newer curlers throughout the United States are encouraged to participate in the USWCA-sponsored bonspiels held specifically for curlers with less experience. The Women’s Challenges are comprised of women’s teams and the Open Challenges may have teams made up of any combination. The only qualification for either event is that the curlers must have five
or fewer years of experience. The USWCA provides a traveling trophy for each bonspiel, and special pins are presented to winners and runners-up in all four events of each event. To find out more about the Five-Year and-Under Bonspiel in your area, please check the USWCA website at www.uswca.org and find the link under USWCA bonspiels. For more information and guidelines, or if you would like to find out how your club can host a future challenge, contact me at YR5andUnder@USCWA.org.
USWCA Senior Bonspiel champions (l-r) Dee Montgomery, Paula Forsythe, Leslie Cooke and Kathy Collins.
30th Annual USWCA Senior Women’s Bonspiel Results: First Event Winner: Mayfield Curling Cub Dee Montgomery Paula Forsythe Kathy Collins Leslie Cooke Runner-up: Philadelphia Curling Club Rosemary Morgan Jo Hess Maggie McMahon Pat Jolly Second Event Winner: Kettle Moraine Judy Maier Carol Stevenson Phyllis (Flip) Flemming Mary Rasmussen Runner-up: Ardsley Curling Club Mieko Takiguchi Karen Luckey Kris Liddle Pippa Broadhurst
Third Event Winner: Albany Curling Club Marilyn Goldstein Wendy Berger Joy Campisano Ruth Horton Runner-up: The Country Club Anne Robertson Ruth Jolliffe Mary Kitses (Broomstones) Carol Friscia Fourth Event Winner: Arden Hills Curling Club Myrna MacKinnon Maureen Guay Michelle Christianson Molly Jensen Runner-up: Nutmeg Curling Club Jennifer Stannard Florence Springstead (Albany) Jayne Beattie Heide Follin
Donate today to the USWCA Women’s Curling Development Fund by Anne Robertson, Chair, USWCA WCDF Committee
S
ince its founding in 1998, the Women’s Curling Development Fund has grown steadily. Its purpose is to motivate and support women at the grassroots level with financial grants. Through the years, it has funded the cost of ice rental at a five-year and-under bonspiel, purchased time clocks for use at USWCA National Bonspiels, and helped the coach of a junior women’s team attend a coach development camp. It has also compensated travel expenses for junior women’s teams to attend the Optimist U18 event, as well as other women’s teams. To increase the income and awareness of this Fund, Peggy Rotton from the Utica Curling Club graciously offered to reissue
the “Chick Pin.” The name originated in her club from the label given some women curlers by their male peers, who were waiting to take to the ice after the women finished! This pin has proven very popular and can be purchased for $5, with all the proceeds going to the WCDF. To order, see details on the USWCA website, www.uswca.org. The Fund welcomes donations of any size, and all are tax deductible. These gifts may be given in honor of someone or in memoriam. All such gifts will be formally acknowledged. Information about donations or grant applications are available on the USWCA website. If you are interested in learning more about the Women’s Curling Development Fund, please contact Ann at WCDF@USWCA.org.
Curling News
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
UNITED STATES
DECEmBER 2011
13
USA Curling partners with PSA for event support by Terry Kolesar, Editor
U
SA Curling has entered a longterm partnership agreement with PSA, an organization unique in its ability to offer turnkey sports, conference and special event support, to enhance the participant and fan experience at USA Curling National Championships and other events. Beginning with select events in the 2011-12 season, PSA will provide: • Support with venue and
hotel contracting; • An online housing registration and management system; • A designated “hi-touch” reservation and support solution; • On-site event support and enhancements; • Marketing and promotional support to generate increased community interest; • Enhancement of efforts in revenue generation, sponsor acquisition, graphic design and brand integration. “We are committed to serving our partners by tai-
Lake Region Curling Club to host clinics The Lake Region Curling Club in Devils Lake, N.D., will host the following Instruction and Training Clinics in December: • USCA Level I Instructor Clinic: Dec. 16, 59:30 p.m. • USCA Level II Instructor Clinic: Dec.17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The fee for each clinic is $35. Jon Mielke will be the instructor. • Skills Camp: Dec.17, 4-9 p.m. Beginner and intermediate curlers, adults and juniors are encouraged to attend. The instructors will be Jon Mielke, Dave Jensen and Roger Smith. Videotaped analysis of delivery will be done by Dave. The instructors have conducted this camp at various locations across the U.S. and received outstanding reviews. To register or for more information, please contact Jeff Kitchens at kitchens@dvl.midco.net, jeffkit@spiritlakecasino.com, or 701-350-0236. Complete flyers for both clinics can be viewed online at www.usacurl.org/goodcurling.
Volunteers needed at national office Have some extra time and want to volunteer your skills at the USA Curling national office in Stevens Point? We are currently looking for volunteers to assist with a variety of projects from warehouse cleanup and organizing; filing; general office help; and assisting with Quickbooks entries. If interested in sharing your time with us to help the sport of curling grow, please contact Christy Hering at christy.hering@usacurl.org. You may also fill out the volunteer questionnaire online at www.usacurl.org/usacurl.
Thomas l. Harms Thomas L. Harms, 65, of Pengilly, Minn., passed away Sept. 28, 2011, at his home after battling cancer. A three-time U.S. senior national champion (2010, 2009, 2006), Harms won the world senior curling championship title in 2010 after winning silver medals in his two previous appearances. He was a member of the Hibbing Curling Club in Hibbing, Minn. Harms joined the U.S.
Marine Corps while in high school and served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. He attended St. Cloud State University, earning a teaching degree in health and physical education, and received his master’s degree in administration from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Harms and his wife moved to the Iron Range in 1972, where he worked in the Hibbing School District for 32 years.
loring available resources to their specific needs,” said Kurt Aichele, chief strategy officer of PSA. “We are aware of the challenges faced by many of the National Governing Bodies. Having the opportunity to come alongside USA Curling and grow our support of the athletes and families within the Olympic movement is exciting, especially given the daily sacrifices they make to compete at that level.” Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., and Reston, Va., and with key personnel located across the USA and
servicing clients in more than 50 countries across every major continent, PSA is uniquely positioned to provide support and proactive consulting in all areas of event development and management. “Partnership with PSA provides leverage to USA Curling as we continue to pursue world-class experiences for our athletes both domestically and abroad, and for fans attending national championships,” said Rick Patzke, chief operating officer of USA Curling. About PSA: PSA is an
events, communications and program management company celebrating its 25th year in business that offers innovative end-toend solutions tailored to meet the needs of its partners. PSA has effectively brought passion, perspective and recognized creativity in delivering extraordinary support to meet its customers’ demands. Central to PSA is a commitment to building genuine relationships, which translates to exemplary customer service to its growing base of federal, commercial and sports partners.
Key: O–Open; X–Mixed; XD–Mixed doubles; M–Men’s; W–Women’s; S–Senior; Wc–Wheelchair C–Cashspiel; J–Junior; St–Stick Events are listed Friday through Sunday but some may begin earlier. Check the club’s website for more information. DEC. 2–4 Alpine, WI M Anchorage, AK–Christmas O Appleton, WI–Holly X Centerville, WI J Chicago, IL–Old Boys M Columbus, OH O Granite, WA–Holiday O Itasca, MN–Mixed 5 & Under X Madison, WI–Cashspiel OC Mankato, MN J Nashua, NH X Norfolk, CT–Calder M Rice Lake, WI–College O Rochester, NY–Highland O Wausau, WI–Stick ’Spiel St DEC. 8–10 Bemidji, MN J Detroit, MI–Sr. One Day SM Duluth, MN–International MW Exmoor, IL–Continental M Itasca, MN–2 on 2 Md Madison, WI J Pardeeville, WI St Schenectady, NY–10 & Under M St. Paul, MN–Jack McCann M Waupaca, WI–Senior Men’s SM DEC. 16–18 Curl Mesabi, MN–Cashspiel MWC DEC. 31 Charlotte, NC–Pajama Curl O 2012 JAN. 6–8 Appleton, WI M Chicago, IL–Gloamin’ Gael W Detroit, MI–International M Duluth, MN–Bruce Bennett M Eau Claire, WI O Itasca, MN M Lodi, WI M Milwaukee, WI–Kiltie X Philadelphia, PA–Cracked Bell O Rochester, NY–Death by Choc. W St. Paul, MN–Cold Cash W Wausau, WI–Highlanders W Williston Basin, ND O Willmar, MN O JAN. 13–15 Broomstones, MA M Chesapeake, MD–Funspiel O Chicago, IL M Clintonville, WI M Detroit, MI–5 & Under W Heather, MN X Itasca, MN J Marshfield, WI W Rice Lake, WI–Steinspiel X Utica, NY–Mitchell M Wausau, WI–Tietge HS J JAN. 16–21 Heather, MN–Burns M Heather, MN–All American W JAN. 17–18 Itasca, MN SM JAN. 20–22 Anchorage, AK–Town Square O Blackhawk, WI X Capital, ND–Outdoor O Centerville, WI–Senior Mixed SX Duluth, MN–Bert Payne J Granite, WA–25 & Under O Mayfield, OH W Norfolk, CT–Senior Mixed SX Plainfield, NJ–Thrifty O Portage, WI J Schenectady, NY–Empire St. O Superior, WI X Two Harbors, MN M
Utica, NY
Williston Basin, ND X mARCH 9–11 Centerville, WI–Funspiel O Columbus, OH X Cook County, MN O Grafton, ND M Granite, WA–USWCA W Green Bay, WI–Shamrock W Pardeeville, WI–Alumni O Portage, WI–Alumni O Schenectady, NY–Gordon Em. M Stevens Point, WI M Wauwatosa, WI M Willmar, MN O mARCH 13–14 Itasca, MN–Senior Mixed SX mARCH 16–18 Centerville, WI SM Curl Mesabi, MN–Springspiel M Duluth, MN–Dunlop X Grand Forks, ND M Granite, WA J Green Bay, WI J Heather, MN J Kettle Moraine, WI M Lodi, WI X Nutmeg, CT–Golden Handle O Superior, WI J Utica, NY–Gordon International M mARCH 23–25 Arlington, WI SM Blackhawk, WI M Duluth, MN–House of Hearts O Grafton, ND X Itasca, MN O Potomac, MD–Cherry Blossom O mARCH 29–APRIl 1 Granite, WA O Green Bay, WI X Mankato, MN X Petersham, MA–Spring Fling O Stevens Point, WI X Two Harbors, MN X APRIl 1–6 Potomac, MD–Rotary M APRIl 13–15 Anchorage, AK–Spring ‘Spiel O Plainfield, NJ–Bonsqueal O Rochester, NY O APRIl 20–22 Coyotes, AZ–Desert Ice O mAY 4–6 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX O mAY 18–20 Park City, UT–Utah Open O mAY 25–27 San Francisco, CA O JUNE 8–10 Granite, WA–Summerspiel O JUNE 29–JUlY 1 Hollywood, CA–Blockbuster O JUlY 5–8 Pittsburgh, PA–Tropicurl O JUlY 12–15 Cape Cod, MA X Green Bay, WI–Tailgate O JUlY 15–18 Cape Cod, MA W JUlY 19–22 Cape Cod, MA M Capital, ND O JUlY 23–26 Cape Cod, MA Wc AUg. 3–5 Triangle, NC–Carolina Classic O Green Bay, WI SM AUg. 10–12 Charlotte, NC–Grits ‘n Granite O AUg. 31–SEPT. 2 Vacaville, CA–The Crush O Don’t see your event listed or it’s listed incorrectly? Send bonspiel dates and corrections to Terry Kolesar, terry.kolesar@usacurl.org. The next deadline for submitting bonspiel results is Jan. 20.
J JAN. 27–29 Albany, NY–Governor’s Bowl M Arlington, WI M Cape Cod, MA J Cleveland, OH X Granite, WA W Kettle Moraine, WI–Badger W St. Paul, MN–Winter Carnival X Two Harbors, MN O Waukesha, WI–Outdoor O Waupaca, WI M FEB. 3–5 Alpine, WI X Anchorage, AK O Centerville, WI W Detroit, MI–Ladies One Day W Kettle Moraine, WI X Mankato, MN M Milwaukee, WI M Pardeeville, WI–Watermelon O Rice Lake, WI M Schenectady, NY O St. Paul, MN–Ranger O Wausau, WI–Badger State MWJO FEB. 10–12 Centerville, WI X Itasca, MN–Sweethearts X Lakes, MN–Vern Turner O Madison, WI X Marshfield, WI M Norfolk, CT–Valentine O Pardeeville, WI–Am. Legion O Racine, WI X St. Paul, MN–Kyle Satrom J Wausau, WI M Wauwatosa, WI O FEB. 17–19 Detroit, MI X Duluth, MN–USWCA W Grand Forks, ND W Green Bay, WI M Heather, MN M Kettle Moraine, WI SM Marshfield, WI–Youth/Adult O Plainfield, NJ J St. Paul, MN–USWCA W Utica, NY–Cobb X Waltham, IL M Wauwatosa, WI SM FEB. 21–22 Chicago, IL–Heather W FEB. 24–26 Albany, NY W Anchorage, AK O Centerville, WI M Clintonville, WI–Couples X Cook County, MN X Grand Forks, ND–CanAm J Heather, MN W Kettle Moraine, WI X Lewiston, MI O Madison, WI–Curl v. Cancer O Mankato, MN W Mayfield, OH–Evergreen X Pardeeville, WI–Red Baron M St. Paul, MN–International M Utica, NY–College O mARCH 2–4 Appleton, WI St Curl Mesabi, MN X Detroit, MI–5 & Under O Grafton, ND W Granite, WA–5 & Under O Kettle Moraine, WI J La Crosse, WI–Mississippi O Marshfield, WI–Lobstein X Medford, WI–Alumni O Nashua, NH–Granite State M Pardeeville, WI–Spring Fling O Plainfield, NJ–Stone M Schenectady, NY J Superior, WI–Northwest M Tri-City, WI M Two Harbors, MN–5 & Under O Waltham, IL X
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Curling News UNITED STATES
DECEmBER 2011
granite Open The Granite Curling Club Autumn ’Spiel took place Nov. 4-6. Here are the results: 1EW—Granite: Tom Violette, Leon Romaniuk, Paul Lyttle, Duane Rutan 1ERU—Granite: Ariel Krasik-Geiger, Cory Yalowicki, Patrick Connolly, Mitch Hymowitz 2EW—Exmoor: Russ Armstrong, James Pleasants, Rich Lepping, Bob Dixon 2ERU—Duncan, BC: Scott Macdonald, Christine Macdonald, Keith Thomson, Christine Fishwick 3EW—Granite: Mike Calcagno, Chris Pleasants, Peter Sommer, Steve Lundeen 3ERU—Granite: Brady Clark, Cristin Clark, Philip Tilker, Bev Walter
Kettle moraine Women’s The Kettle Moraine Fall Fling took place Oct. 27-28 in Hartland, Wis. Here are the results: 1EW—Madison: Star Pfiffner, Kathy Bodine, Julia Boles, Nicole Pfiffner 1ERU—Kettle Moraine: Bonnie Dixon, Carol Stevenson, Kathy Hyslop, Tess Munich 2EW—Milwaukee: Barb Hamm, Linda Goetsett, Linda Even, MaryBeth Goelzer 2ERU—Milwaukee: Roanne Barnes, Joanne Moll, Susan Ryan, Julie Stuhlmacher 3EW—Exmoor: Tracy Lawless, Georgia West, Lori Mountford, Deb Moulton 3ERU—Madison: Cindy Godar, Beth Lepping, Jennifer Stannard, Maureen Guay 4EW—Superior: Millie Buege, Carol Lisdahl, Chris Helding, Stella Geason 4ERU—Kettle Moraine: Michele Heinze, Clara Seidemann, Melva Sabatke, Lisa Weatherbee 5EW—Milwaukee: Sandy Arndt, Peg Jacobsen, Pat Van Till, Pat Towers 5ERU—Wauwatosa: Roylee Pflughoeft, Martha Pflughoeft, Jill Gaertmer, Jane Plowman
Belfast Open The second Annual Maine-iac ’Spiel was held Nov. 11-13 at the Belfast Curling Club in Belfast, Maine. Here are the results: 1EW—Lennoxville, Quebec: Steve McPherson, Marty Rourke, Andrew Hatch, Jeff Bailes 1ERU—Belfast: Bart Read, Terry Fancy, Jaye Martin, Douglas Coffin 2EW—The Country Club: Jim Ladd, Lee Ladd, Lissa England, Sandy England 2ERU—Petersham: John Griffiths, Faith Griffiths, Dave Conaghan, Jeanne Conaghan 3EW—Potomac: Becca Erickson, Todd Humora, Laura Barrantes, Jeff Erickson 3ERU—Fundy, New Brunswick: Ivan Keirstead, Leo Sheehy, Jon Michael Keirstead, Chris Keirstead 4EW—Potomac: Melvin Shaw, Courtney Shaw, Jeremy Vandenhouten, Catherine Coslick 4ERU—Broomstones: John Buscaglia, Maria Spitzak, Paul Bernier, Sharon Quill
midland Open The Midland Fall Open Bonspiel took place Oct. 21-23 in Midland, Mich.: Here are the results: 1EW–Burlington, Ontario: Judy McIntyre, Wayne McIntyre, Joan McCarrel, Hugh McCarrel 1ERU–Exmoor: Pat Zimmerman, Chris Schallmo, Tammie Schallmo, John Beckwith 2EW–Midland: Charles Vendley, Dave Hinson, Tom Lasich, Ken Burdett 2ERU–Midland: Steve King, Scott King, Matt Whaley, Scott Strouse 3EW–Copper Country: Paul Eisenman, Reese Lassila, Gary Lassila, Gordon Maclean 3ERU–Midland: Ryan Quinn, Dave Jezowski, Michelle DeBuck, Chris Doremus 4EW–Midland: Janice Hawrelak, Sean Loughran, Brenda Mason, Pete Waters
4ERU–Detroit: Jenny Zukowski, Todd Schweitzer, Christy Schweitzer, Ben Levy
Nutmeg Open The Blazing Leaves Bonspiel took place Oct. 7-9 in Bridgeport, Conn. Here are the results: 1EW—Broomstones: Korey Dropkin, Sarah Anderson, Thomas Howell, Taylor Anderson 1ERU—Potomac: Michael Fry, Dawn Findlay, Michael Campbell, Susan Armiger 2EW—Nutmeg: Jim Meinhold, Allan Alward, Pamela Moan, Terrie Allen, Julie Pasnau 2ERU—Broomstones: Emily Walker, Emma Annand, Laura Murphy, Katie Sullivan 3EW—Nutmeg I: Joel Leneker, J. Michael Kriz, Kyle Slover, Nigel Lucas 3ERU—Oklahoma: Jonathan Havercroft, Michael Nordquist, Matt Bertonica, Chris Conley 4EW—Broomstones: Keith Dropkin, Rachel Howell, Wayne Anderson, Abbey Suslavich 4ERU—Philadelphia: Nancy Gerritsen van der Hoop, Jeff Hannon, Robert Kwan, Carolyn Lloyd
Plainfield Open The Founders Bonspiel took place Nov. 3-6 at the Plainfield Curling Club in South Plainfield, N.J. Here are the results: 1EW—Plainfield: Ivo Petrov, Mark Mooney, Don Arsenault, Brady Gould 1ERU—Pittsburgh: Rich Ashford, Sean Murray, Bob Graham, Ian Webb 2EW—Plainfield: John DeJong, Karen DeJong, Barb Klug, Emily DeJong, Mickey Mangold 2ERU—Plainfield: Roger Bajorek, Jim Morton, John Pantina, TJ Cofield 3EW—Plainfield: Aaron (Michael) Dubberley, Michael Fry, Michael Campbell, Melanie (Michael) Dubberley 3ERU—Plainfield: Link Heffner, Patty Heffner, Charlie Rebick, Linda Pecsi 4EW—Nutmeg: Jeff Hannon/Bob Fox, Louisa Bartok/Sally MacKenzie, SariJo Niles, Andrea Stepnosky 4ERU—Plainfield: Janice Langanke, Ashley Lawreck, Nina Reiniger, Nicole Arsenault
Schenectady Women’s The Carosella Bonspiel took place Nov. 4-6 at the Schenectady (N.Y.) Curling Club. Here are the results: 1EW—Nutmeg: Jennifer Stannard, Naida Leslie, Jayne Beattie, Terrie Allen 1ERU—Schenectady: Dorothy Szymaszek, Lisa Nierdka, Kathy Brown, Liz Lansing 2EW—Albany: Martha Naber, Megan Boyak, Emma Foster, Kathy Sipzner Walsh 2ERU—Kayuta Lake: Karen Rogowski, Heather Swiercz, Julie Chanatry, Liz Nolan 3EW—Albany: Marilyn Goldstein, Wendy Berger, Joy Campisano, Ruth Horton 3ERU—Schenectady: Linda Austin, Laura Knussman, Amy Machold, Barb Kimmey 4EW—Schenectady: Lori Millet, Lisa Filkins, Eileen Kelliher, Sue Adair 4ERU—Green Mountain: Amanda Vickerson, Connie Dollinger, Blythe Leonard, Kathleen Richardson
Seattle men’s The 5th Annual Seattle Man Spiel took place Oct. 21-23 at the Granite Curling Club in Seattle. Here are the results: 1EW—British Columbia: Ken Watson, Dale Hockley, Dale Reibin 1ERU—Seattle: Rich Burmeister, Glenn Allan, Chris Pleasants, Jon Chartrand and Zach Radmer 2EW—Seattle: John Rasmussen, Dough Kauffman, Liam Barksdale, Bill Rugen 2ERU—Seattle: Jake Vukich, Tom Violette, Luc Violette, Kyle Lorvick
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
3EW—Seattle: Sean Beighton, Andrew Ernst, Sam Galey, Mac Guy 3ERU—Royal City, BC: Randy Balfour rink
Wenatchee Open The Desert Rocks Bonspiel took place Sept. 17-19 in Wenatchee, Wash. Here are the results: 1EW—Evergreen: Arnie Iwanick, Bob Thibodeaux, Peter Sommer, Jeremy Dinsel 1ERU—Castlegar (B.C.): Mike Gerrand, Roger Carlson, Dustin Ford, Shawn Biln 2EW—Penticton (B.C.): Gary Stene, Cidy Fisher, Del Haidenger, Sam Niddery 2ERU—Plainfield: Dean Roth, Sarah Wolfe, Don Wolfe, Anne Beam 3EW—Creston (B.C.): Terry O’Connor, Bunty Allan, Richard Allan, Joan O’Connor 3ERU—Wenatchee: Marc Buchanan, Dave Buchanan, Marc Keefer, Cali Buchanan, Leigh Pobst
Winners of Schenectady’s Carosella Bonspiel were (l-r) Jennifer Stannard, Naida Leslie, Jayne Beattie and Terrie Allen.
Rice lake Open The Rice Lake Tune-Up Bonspiel took place Sept. 23-25 in Rice Lake, Wis. Here are the results: 1EW—Madison: Mark Fenner, Grace Gabower, Chloe Pahl, Wally Henry, Kevin Fenner 1ERU—Duluth: Aileen Sormunen, Courtney George, Amanda Mclean, Miranda Solem 2EW—Duluth: Phil DeVore, Pete Westberg, Seppo Sormunen, Lucy DeVore 2ERU—St. Paul: Margie Smith, Debbie Dexter, Shelly Kosal, Rachel Orvik 3EW—Wausau: Evan Jensen, Zach Taylor, Ben Miller, Kelly Traska 3ERU—Duluth: George Host, Mary Broman, Karen Milbrath, Renee Meyers
Winners of the Maine-iac Spiel were Quebec’s team of (l-r) Steve McPherson, Marty Rourke, Andrew Hatch and Jeff Bailes.
Schenectady men’s The Achilles Bonspiel took place Nov. 17-19 at the Schenectady (N.Y.) Curling Club. Here are the results: 1EW—Broomstones: Brian Fink, Mike Platt, Brian Costello, Eric Haase 1ERU—Schenectady 4: Dion Warr, Marek Rzonca, Dave Hooper, Rob Klees 2EW—Utica 2: Bob Caine, Pat Costello, Kip Wagner, Jerry Stevens 2ERU—Schenectady 6: Brian Damon, Mike Stefanik, Pete Dreschler, Art Merkley 3EW—Brockville: Bob Chick, Dave Fink, Jon Penny, Doug Beauchamp 3ERU—Schenectady 7: Bob Samaniuk, Brandon Alois, Dan Muller, Nathan Alois 4EW—Glenmore 1: Larry South, Keith Denver, John Konczynski, Jack Fitzgerald 4ERU—Schenectady 2: Dan Machold, Charlie Brown, Rich Gonyeau, Scott Brennan 5EW—Utica 1: Brian Moore, Dale Jones, Mike DeGironomo, Jim Schafer 5ERU—Glenmore 2: Jimmy Savard, Vlad Freud, Rick Akerly, Dan Stuhlman 6EW—Plainfield: Don Baird, Bill Peskoff, Jason Valetutto, Karl Anderson 6ERU—Schenectady 3: Pat Fitzgerald, Fred Mackintosh, Jeff Mayott, Dan Navratil
Winners of the Desert Rocks Bonspiel were (l-r) Jeremy Dinsel, Peter Sommer, Bob Thibodeaux and Arnie Iwanick (skip).
Winners of the Kettle Moraine Fall Fling were (l-r) Star Pfiffner, Kathy Bodine, Julia Boles and Nicole Pfiffner.
mcCall Open The 2011 McCall Rocktoberfest took place Oct. 1-2. Here are the results: 1EW—Madison: Mark Swandby, Richard Maskel, Leland Rich, Duane Rutan 1ERU—Ogden: Charles Taggart, Tim Irish, Ben Womack, Mark Ruby 2EW—Wine Country: TC Altus, Eric Hazard, David Markowitz, John Tryon 2ERU—Evergreen: Arnie Iwanick, Dave Eaton, Stephan Hart, Susan Eaton 3EW—Lethbridge, AB: Charles Funk, Merwyn Nash, Lucinda Tutterow, Brett Stauts 3ERU—Coyotes: Michael Siggins, Jeff Baird, Brian Walsh, Tracy Drumond
Winners of McCall’s Rocktoberspiel were Mark Swandby, Richard Maskel, Leland Rich and Duane Rutan.
Advertising disclaimer “None of the advertisers in this publication are agents of the U.S. Curling Association, which hereby disclaims any liability for acts of any of the advertisers.”
Curling News How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Winners of the Plainfield Founders Bonspiel were (l-r) Ivo Petrov, Mark Mooney, Don Arsenault and Brady Gould.
The Rice Lake Tune-Up Bonspiel winners were (front, l-r) Mark Fenner, Grace Gabower, Chloe Pahl, Wally Henry and Kevin Fenner. Runners-up were (back, l-r) Aileen Sormunen, Courtney George, Amanda Mclean and Miranda Solem.
Winners of the Achilles Bonspiel were (l-r) Eric Haase, Brian Costello, Mike Platt and Bryan Fink.
medford Cashspiel The Medford Silver Dollar Cashspiel took place Nov. 11-13 at the Medford (Wis.) Curling Club. Here are the results: 1EW–St. Paul: Peter Stolt, Jerod Roland, Brad Caldwell, Erik Ordway 1ERU–Wausau: Chris Horak, Tim Cucchiarelli, Shane Ley, Perry Grueber 2EW–Madison: Stan Vinge, Bill Kind, Wally Henry, Dean Zoesch
DECEmBER 2011
UNITED STATES
2ERU–Centerville: Cam Delaney, Casey Konopacky, Ash Nelson, Brad Schieffer 3EW–Appleton: Dennis Kroner, Jim O’Neill, Jack Reynolds, Shawn Kennedy 3ERU–Waupaca: Zac Waitrovich, Matt Sandquist, Preston Waala, Ryan Johnston 4EW–Madison: Pat Roe, Donnie Henry, Chad Draheim, Scott Manthey 4ERU–Medford: Evan Jensen, Zach Taylor, Ben Miller, Kelly Trask
Top 10 Latin Translations of Common Curling Terms 10] Lead Player = Broomcarrium Ignoramus 9] Hack = Platformus Launchreadius 8] Peel Shot = Removum Supervelocitus 7] Hog Line = Boundarium Swinus 6] Fourth Event = Combatus Irreleventus 5] Eight Ender = Scorus Maximus 4] Bonspiel = Weekendium Inebriatus 3] Double Takeout = Pairstonus Getridovum 2] Sweeping = Hurrius Hurrius 1] Hammer = Brickus Endterminus – Richard Maskel
Is your copy of the Curling News going to the wrong address? Send updates to Chrisy Hering at USA Curling (christy.hering@usacurl.org).
I am old enough for Seniors, but this joke is even older than me: A tourist is lost in New York City. He sees a man walking briskly who is obviously a musician and asks him, “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” The musician sadly shakes his head and says, “Practice, practice, practice.” Today’s question is, “Tuck, how do I get more out of my curling game and have even more fun?” The answer is ... practice. Proficiency is its own reward. Golf is more fun if you can hit it far and down the middle of the fairway. That takes practice. Basketball is more fun if you can swish a sweet jumper. That takes practice. I assume these to be true. I can’t do either, and I hate both games. I do know, however, that proficiency is its own reward. Being pretty good at something just feels better than struggling. Getting good is fun, and that means some practice. Here are some thoughts on practicing: The first thing that you need to know about practicing is that it won’t really take all that much. Very few curlers throw any practice rocks at all ... and it shows. Just a few rocks each week will make a huge difference. If you curl two games a week and throw 32 practice rocks, you will soon be one of the better curlers in your club. In a perfect world, you would throw your practice rocks to somebody holding a broom. In this imaginary Utopia, the person holding the broom would be some Level 99 coach like Jon Mielke, Dave Jensen, John Benton or Scotty Baird. (I don’t know what levels coaches have nor know what the levels signify. I just patiently wait for the day when every curling club has teachers just like golf clubs have golf pros.) The problem with practicing alone is that bad habits can become ingrained. Do NOT let this stop you or even let it slow you down. Here is a promise: If you shoot two leagues a week and throw a ton of practice rocks while Patti Lank shoots one league and never throws practice rocks, you will soon be better than Patti Lank. (It’s a super safe promise for me to make. Patti is pretty religious about getting in her practice rocks. It shows. Someday you might get better than
Tucked in the Back Page
By Ben Tucker tuck@usacurl.org Lank, but you are not going to out-work her.) I will leave most of the practice drills to the coaches to write about in their columns, but here are some thoughts about practicing that might help you: The worst thing about practicing is getting decent ice. It is a fair amount of work to prep a sheet. The best practice ice you’ll ever get is when you hop on a sheet right after two teams play a short game. So you should show up for a league night’s last draw and hope that one of the games is a blowout that ends early. There is almost always at least one blowout. All competitive teams should schedule their Team Practices at the end of a league night ... or somebody has to work hard to get a sheet really nice. Far too many practice rocks go the full length of the ice. If you have somebody to hold the broom for you, they can be just onequarter of the way down the sheet. That makes it so much more effective in judging if you are sliding to the broom and releasing the rock cleanly to the line. It is a far more efficient use of your time. It is quicker, and it is better. It is also not my idea. It is how Kevin Martin practices. Practicing draw weight is a tough thing, particularly on heavy practice ice ... but not impossible. Throw a draw down the middle, and don’t worry where it ends up ... even if it hogs by 20 feet. Then try to throw one 2 feet shorter ... then another one two feet short of that one ... and another one 2 feet short of that one. When you throw them back, toss a nice draw and don’t care where it lands. Then try to go around it by a couple of feet ... and then go around that one ... then add a couple of feet to the next one. I’ve tried this, and
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found that it really improved my touch. Again, not my idea. Scott Edie gave me this tip for practicing touch on heavy ice. So practice, my friends. You will get better quickly and enjoy our sport even more. There are a few lucky souls, like me, who love to practice. When sitting around and getting bored, nothing sounded better than getting up to the club and throwing a few hits. That made it easier for me and, because I started so late in life, I needed that edge. For the good of the game: I’m seeing more of our competitive teams playing on the cash circuit and playing more often. I can’t tell you how much this might mean to the future of curling in the USA. As these players grow and improve, they come back to their home clubs and we all get better. Some nations with very few curlers, however, are keeping a team or two on the cash circuit full-time. These teams show up days before the ’spiel to practice on the ice and get acquainted with the rocks. I firmly believe that depth and growth are the keys to our future, but these funded teams are difficult to deal with in the near term. Winnipeg’s historic 125th MCA bonspiel is only 13 months away. David Garber (who was Rick Patzke’s predecessor as Czar Of American Curling) has a column in this publication. In the last edition, he jests that Rick Patzke’s and Terry Kolesar’s talents would move them up in the world. Should that dark day ever happen, he proudly prognosticated that I would take over and run curling. Alas, Garber knows tons about curling in the USA ... but his predictive powers pale in comparison. Rick, just like David before him, has every dues-paying-curler in the nation as a boss. I don’t do well with bosses. I was a skip. Sorry, Garber, but ya’ll can’t afford me. Take it from a guy who can’t play anymore ... Play As Often As You Can. Email me. I like getting e-mails. All curlers are friends of mine. Tucker is a member of the Grafton Curling Club and makes his living farming in North Dakota. Send questions or comments to Tuck at tuck@usacurl.org. Send complaints to his dictatorial editor (terry.kolesar@usacurl.org).
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DECEmBER 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl