The Curling Show

Rick Patzke of the United States Curling Association, a few days after the Vancouver Games.

Hammer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:46:48 +0000

There was no shortage of controversy for U.S. curling when it cames to the recent Olympics, stemming from sub-par records for the American teams, lineup changes and extensive media coverage. As he drove to Kalamazoo for this week’s U.S. Nationals, I talked to USCA Chief Operating Officer Rick Patzke about the events and articles of the last month and the changes he sees coming in U.S. curling.

Do you have your copy of Fit to Curl: A Sport-Specific Guide to Training for the World’s Greatest Game by Olympic Gold Medalist John Morris? Buy it today at fittocurl.com.

Bob Weeks, curling columnist for the Globe & Mail, from the Vancouver Games.

Hammer — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:59:09 +0000

The guy who covers curling and golf — how great is that combination? — was on the phone for a conversation from Vancouver. Bob gives us his usual terrific insights on the event, the teams and the atmosphere.

If you’re in Vancouver for the Olympics, you can pick up a copy of Fit to Curl: A Sport-Specific Guide to Training for the World’s Greatest Game by John Morris at the Goldline booth at the Vancouver Curling Club. If you’re not, visit fittocurl.com to purchase a copy.

Erin Carmody of PEI after the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Hammer — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:08:52 +0000

I know it seems as though the entire curling world is focused on the Olympics but before the play got underway in Vancouver I wanted to talk to the last rock thrower on the team that came oh-so-close to capturing the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts title. Erin Carmody talked about the week in the Soo, the final game and her team. And my apologies to the McPhee sisters — somehow I forgot to mention them when I was discussing the top women’s teams from the Island.

Peter Corner shortly before the Ontario Tankard gets underway.

Hammer — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:12:54 +0000

He was part of the team that most would consider the greatest of the 1990’s — Russ Howard, Glenn Howard, Wayne Middaugh and Peter — but he’s also skipped the Ontario team in the 2000 Brier, been runner-up in that province the last two seasons and led his team to a record of 17-3 on the Ontario Curling Tour this year. Among other things, we talked about his veteran team’s limited schedule, his years with Russ Howard and his relatively short stint playing with Wayne Middaugh again a couple of years ago.

Do you have your copy of Fit to Curl: A Sport-Specific Guide to Training for the World’s Greatest Game by John Morris? If you don’t, head over to fittocurl.com to purchase one. It’s an interesting read that will help curlers of all levels sweep more effectively, make a few more shots and feel better on the ice.

John Shuster, skip of Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Hammer — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:19:39 +0000

He was there in 2006 playing lead for Pete Fenson when the U.S. beat Great Britain’s David Murdoch in the bronze medal game. He’ll be back in 2010 skipping the U.S. team in Vancouver. I talked to John as he sat in the stands at the MTS Centre watching the action at the third Capital One Grand Slam of the season, the BDO Classic Canadian Open.

If you’re going to be in Winnipeg this weekend, you can pick up a copy of Fit to Curl: A Sport-Specific Guide to Training for the World’s Greatest Game by John Morris at the Goldline booth at the MTS Centre during the Capital One Grand Slam. If you’re not going to be at the event, visit fittocurl.com to purchase a copy.

Valerie Sweeting, skip of the surprise winners of the 2010 Alberta Scotties.

Hammer — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:23:57 +0000

According to Todd Saelhof of The Calgary Sun and just about every other observer, they were in the group of the teams that were, “…rounding out the field.” While nobody expected this young team to finish on top, they beat, among others, Shannon Kleibrink, Cathy King and Crystal Webster to make it happen. This 22-year-old skip is the latest young player to emerge from a very tough province.

Bruce Rainnie of CBC Sports before the start of the Swiss Chalet National, the season’s second Capital One Grand Slam.

Hammer — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:16:14 +0000

He’s been a part of CBC broadcasts of curling since 2003 and now calls the action for the Capital One Grand Slam series. Among other things, Bruce talks about his introduction to the game, stepping into his current role after the passing of the legendary Don Wittman and the differences between CBC and TSN coverage.

Bruce’s is also married to accomplished musician Kendra MacGillvray. I will get to work on a Kendra MacGillvray/Black Pudding mash-up post-haste.

If you’re going to be at the Capital One Grand Slam this weekend in Guelph, you can get a signed copy of Fit to Curl: A Sport-Specific Guide to Training for the World’s Greatest Game by John Morris. John will be doing a book signing at the Goldline booth on Friday, January 8th at 4:45 PM, shortly after Team Martin’s 1:30 game. If you’re not going to be at that event, visit fittocurl.com to purchase a copy and keep that New Year’s Resolution you made.

Olympian Ben Hebert on The Curling Show.

Hammer — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:49:39 +0000

A few days before Christmas and a short while after Team Martin won the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, I had a conversation with lead Ben Hebert. We discuss everything from the preparations for Vancouver to the dumping accusations in Edmonton.

Do you have your copy of Fit to Curl: A Sport-Specific Guide to Training for the World’s Greatest Game by John Morris? If you don’t, keep a New Year’s Resolution and head over to fittocurl.com to purchase one. It’s an interesting read that will help curlers of all levels sweep more effectively, make a few more shots and feel better on the ice.

Wayne Middaugh a few days before the start of the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings in Edmonton.

Hammer — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:31:14 +0000

The very first guest on this podcast — way back in 2005 — grabbed just about the last spot into Canada’s Olympic Trials during the Pre-Trials in Prince George. But while they came through the “C” nobody in Edmonton will be taking this veteran lineup lightly. Wayne joined us for a conversation about his team, their chances at the Roar and more.

Would you like to get a signed copy of Fit to Curl: A Sport-Specific Guide to Training for the World’s Greatest Game by John Morris? If you’re in Edmonton, stop into the lobby of the Coliseum Inn — adjacent to Rexall Place — before the start of each draw on December 7th and December 8th. We’ll be there for one before the games get started with books that have been signed by John Morris. If you’re not in Edmonton, head over to fittocurl.com to purchase one or find it in the best pro shops.

Jason Gunnlaugson a few days after his team earned a spot in the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings.

Hammer — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:06:27 +0000

The skip of the young team that got the last spot at the Pre-Trials in Prince George and turned it into a spot at the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings joined us for a conversation about their successful week and what lies ahead. This is Jason’s second time on the podcast and, as you might expect if you’ve seen him curl, he brings refreshing honesty and has great knowledge of the game.