Covid and Curling

Sweden's Skip Niklas Edin

The NYT in all its comprehensiveness created a section summarizing each winter Olympic sport and what to watch for. They don't cover the local New York hockey teams, but we're going to know what to look for in Beijing bobsledding.

But it's not the bobsledding I'm interested in—it's Curling. And how will Covid affect the participants? We are already seeing a tennis player being denied entry into Australia because he's unvaccinated; U.S. figure skaters are testing positive in Nashville, and some skiers are doubtful because of the pandemic. But what about the Curling people? No news yet.

You remember Curling from the last winter games, right? And the replays. What tension in seeing someone with a broom sweep the bowling alley ice to speed up, or impede this giant round stone with a handle on top as it heads toward a target and the opponent's pieces. Shuffle board on ice. It's a game started in Scotland. The Scots also gave us golf and something to drink. We can't thank them for everything.

Did you know the U.S. won the gold medal in Curling at the last games after a shaky 5-4 start lead by  John Shuster? When you read the NYT summary you are reminded how we emerged as an underdog powerhouse.

There isn't much more detail about whose who in men's and women's curling. There is even a mixed doubles event! There is a link to a 2008 story, "What is Curling? Power Plays Rocks and Hammers"

This piece is invaluable in understanding the game and the strategy. With colorful terms like hammer  hog line, button, house, end, skip and sheet, all that's missing are trading cards and player endorsements for insurance, vodka and scotch.

Several years ago I was coming home on a LIRR train and a group of younger lads were commenting on how they were hoping they'd get home in time to watch the Curling competition. It seems NBC gives it outsized coverage. Not just "plausibly live" but really live. It's one event where you needn't worry about social distancing. There's no one watching.

I immediately added to their conversation that the replays were what I enjoyed most. They were of course kidding with each other, because outside of hockey, there are few winter sports that are any fun to watch.

The preview does tell us that the Men's Swedish team is favored to win. I can't wait.

Let the game begin.

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