I watched portions of the U.S. men's curling matches yesterday -- and I gotta say, I was totally entertained. Granted damn NBC edited out a bunch of it -- and showed really only the key shots -- but they did show nearly every "end" (see, I'm even picking up the terminology!) And one of Tim Somerville's shots v. Sweden was incredible. I guess I'll be tuned in more to CNBC and MSNBC from now on!

I saw some of it yesterday as well, and enjoyed it. I get a real kick out of the sweeping action in front of the stone. U.S. won that match 10-5. I would like to see it unedited as well. It looks like the setup shots are just as important as the "end" shots.

There’s something very peaceful and kinda mesmerizing about curling, the intricate strategizing and the valium-induced pace that could easily lull me to sleep, if not for all the SCREAMING! SWEEP! SWEEP! HARDER! FASTER! Ohhh, YEAH! hmmm...

Oddly enough, on the Canadian sports networks, curling tournaments regularly draw more viewers than play-off hockey games. Hey, Canada really is boring!

Add me to the list of people who have found it riveting. It's a fascinating sport to watch--and I like the idea that it has limited audience appeal here in the US.

~Adam

Seph:

[quote] There’s something very peaceful and kinda mesmerizing about curling, the intricate strategizing and the valium-induced pace that could easily lull me to sleep, if not for all the SCREAMING! SWEEP! SWEEP! HARDER! FASTER! Ohhh, YEAH! hmmm...

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They say that straight guys love to watch women's curling. What with the women yelling HURRY, HURRY HARD! It seems to turn them on.

For me, I also like the women's curling. They can't throw the big weight like the men and that makes it more strategic.

Canadian skip Kevin Martin's team is know for their ability to throw the big weight. A skill which came in handy in their match with the U.S. on Monday. They are now 3-0. Woo hoo! Go Canada! (And I believe our women are undefeated, too.)

I've enjoyed this sport as well, although I am recently new to it. One question, though... What is the purpose of having Men's Teams and Women's Teams?

[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: CowboysHskrFan ]

CowboyHskrFan:

[quote] What is the purpose of having Men's Teams and Women's Teams?

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Same as for almost any sport, really. The men have more strength and can throw the rocks harder and sweep harder. (I think the rock weighs 45lbs.)

If you throw harder you can get more action on the stones (like in billiards...the harder you hit the cue ball, the more action you can get on the other balls). Also the harder you sweep, the more control you get on the movement of the rock (sweeping makes it run straighter/curl less, and go farther/slow down slower).

I like to watch curling. I discovered it about 10 years ago since the sports channel shows almost every round of the women's and men's Canadian championship. Our teams are still undefeated.

Curling rocks


I found this on a website:

TOP TEN REASONS WHY CURLING IS BETTER THAN SEX
(as told by Sandra Schmirler's Olympic gold-medal winning rink)

10. Don't have to fake that you are having fun.
9. When it gets out of hand, you can quit.
8. You get to do in front of millions of people and on national TV.
7. You can score up to 10 times in one night.
6. A really good curling game last two-and-a-half hours.
5. Size, looks and age are all irrelevant.
4. You don't regret a mistake in curling nine months later.
3. When you're finished, someone else has to clean the sheets.
2. You are expected to yell "HURRY, HURRY, HARD, ALL THE WAY!"
1. There's four positions to know but you only have to be good at one of them.