The curlers have returned to their homes across Canada and in a few hours the Warriors will reclaim their spaces in the dressing room and on the ice.
Moose Jaw is gradually coming down from the “high” of being the host city for the country’s top women’s curling event — the Scotties Tournament of Hearts — but the excited talk about a successful “bonspiel” will continue for many days in the future.
Thanks to some tickets that Housemate placed under the Christmas tree for me, we ventured to Mosaic Place on the first Sunday of the 10-day event. Because of his aversion to my annual dedication to TSN coverage of the Scotties, the Brier and world women and men’s curling, I wondered if he meant to attend with me, or if I should call a friend.
He agreed to accompany me for the two draws that day, although he did threaten to put a book in his pocket to get him through the six hours of on-ice activity. He was teasing, of course, and I venture to say that he’s come to understand my dedication to viewing the sport and cheering for certain teams.
The excitement of the event was evident that day as fans lined up to access the venue, stopping on the first level to watch or maybe participate in some curling-like shuffleboard competitions offered just for fun but with some prizes available for the best shooters. Adults and youngsters put their skills to the test and found there was some geometry involved in getting out those opposing rocks.
From the top of the bowl, we had excellent seats until the seats below us filled in and we discovered the side of sheet D was hidden to us as was the house at the other end of the rink. But because we were at the top, we could stand up when necessary without anyone shouting “get down in front.”
It seemed odd that security didn’t enforce the rule about standing behind the yellow line behind Row 15, but by having other fans, and some drinkers, breathing down our necks, we learned many lessons about the game and why some shots missed and others were on the mark.
Just as they do at hockey games, the folks not on the ice had more knowledge than the players on the ice. “She should have played the out-turn.” “I would have thrown a take-out instead of a draw there.” “Why did they sweep that? It was hot out of her hand.”
You get the idea.
And the lack of knowledge was entertaining too. One lady wondered if five or six ends would be played in a game that went to an extra end. The stranger beside me grinned at me but couldn’t answer because of his contained laughter.
It was somewhat disconcerting to realize that attendees would move in and out of their seats with a frequency that would have had hockey fans suggesting they wait until a stoppage of play. There is no simultaneous stoppage in curling even though someone wondered why the fifth end break wasn’t universal across the sheets. But veteran fans simply smiled and stood to allow the comings and goings.
The gift shop offered a glimpse of items that would have been nice to have as souvenirs of the event, but for me that didn’t translate into any exchange of money, especially for the coffee mug in the shape of a curling stone. Although I don’t drink coffee, it would have been perfect for hot chocolate. The price of $25 and lack of cupboard space for something that size contributed to the non-sale. Pity.
It was crowded in the HeartStop Lounge but we were hungry and anyway, that was the place to be between draws. Strangers made room for other strangers to sit and didn’t grump when extra chairs were slid into tiny spaces. Local residents were elbow to elbow with fans from across Canada.
At the end of the day we were tired but happy to have seen the event up close and personal. A highlight was the fact that after that day Housemate stopped objecting to my control of the television remote. He’s fallen in love with the skills of Rachel Homan and sits there with me as I watch and marvel at the shots being made.
Next up is the Brier. Curl on.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
