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"We had just come back from Switzerland and we were eating a lot with our friends, and the smell from the flatulence was really terrible. We couldn't breathe, so me and a friend decided something had to be done."

This item needs to be mandatory with EVERY bonspiel entry.

#curling #bonspiel #farts

Excellent video! However, I subscribe to the believe that curling got it's name from the old Scots verb "to curr," which means to grumble. It is called the "Roaring Game" after all. More importantly, consider the shitty (arena) ice we've all played on at one point or another, and some poor stones with damaged running surfaces. How was the curling motion in that game? Now imagine curling on an outdoor pond, with various debris, using smooth river stones or ones made from a nearby quarry of porous granite, being launched from a crampit, and sweeping with old corn broom. Do we really think it had such a curling motion it on it that it would warrant calling the game "curling" based upon that motion? John Ramsey's 1811 account of curling describe the term "to curl" as "meaning nothing more than to slide upon the ice." It's also full of old curling poems worth checking out. This is by no means a definitive stance on the etymology of the term "curling," I just think it's more interesting than "it's called curling because the rock curls." Also, a curling house was once referred to as "the cock" and a stone was a "stane." Therefore, I will now call the shot rock a cock stane.

#curling #video #etymology #scotland

Olympic Curling Preview - Men

I posted my predictions for the women earlier, and I’m just getting my men’s picks in under the wire. The biggest question left after all my research?

Why were mug shots used for the USA men's #curling team & coaches? Poor Al Hackner looks like he was busted in Miami. http://t.co/CecqWoEWBJ — Matt (@NoHoCurling) February 9, 2014

One think we can all agree on, is this will be one sexy Olympic bonspiel. Anyway, on to the predictions. Thanks For Coming

Russia

Second: Andrey DROZDOV (Skip) Fourth: Alexey STUKALSKIY (Vice-Skip)

Third: Evgeny ARKHIPOV Lead: Petr DRON Alternate: Alexander KOZYREV

Germany

Third: John JAHR (Skip) Fourth: Felix SCHULZE (Vice-Skip)

Second: Christopher BARTSCH Lead: Sven GOLDEMANN Alternate: Peter RICKMERS

Russia’s getting better, but that’s only because they’ve been sinking money into the program to be competitive. I think this is a blip on the radar for Russian men’s curling. The biggest thing they've got going for them is Petr Dron, who is probably the tallest curler in this field. We’ll just nickname is Drago from here on out. To be competitive, Russia even tried to import some Canadians and make them citizens. It almost worked, but when it came to renouncing Canadian citizenship, they balked. Shocking. They are the benefit of the host country birth. Otherwise, the USA wouldn’t have had to play in the Olympic Qualification Event (OQE). Speaking of the OQE, that’s how Germany got through. They ran the table in the European B group, then played their way back into the A group for next year. At the OQE, they finished the round robin in a four-way tie for first at 5-2, but got the first seed by virtue of head-to-head match-ups and/or last shot draw or whatever it was. They beach the Czech Republic and boom, in the Olympics. You know the phrase “Act like you’ve been there before?” I’d celebrate like that too if I’d made it to the Olympics, but I think this team might be the definition of “Happy to be here.” Could Be Medalists But Probably Won’t

USA

Fourth: John SHUSTER (Skip) Third: Jeff ISAACSON (Vice-Skip)

Second: Jared ZEZEL Lead: John LANDSTEINER Alternate: Craig BROWN

China

Fourth: Rui LIU (Skip) Third: Xiaoming XU (Vice-Skip)

Second: Dexin BA Lead: Jialiang ZANG Alternate: Dejia ZOU

Denmark

Fourth: Rasmus STJERNE HANSEN (Skip) Third: Johnny FREDERIKSEN (Vice-Skip)

Second: Mikkel POULSEN Lead: Troels HARRY Alternate: Lars VILANDT

Switzerland

Fourth: Sven MICHEL (Skip) Third: Claudio PAETZ (Vice-Skip)

Second: Sandro TROLLIET Lead: Simon GEMPELER Alternate: Benoit SCHWARZ

As much as I want to believe that Shuster and company can pull off a medal, I don’t know how real that chance is. I like this team a lot, and it speaks volumes that Shuster has found his way back to the Olympics after he has been immortalized in the Urban Dictionary from his 2010 campaign. The case for them is that they’re a really gutsy team that takes chances and can score big ends. They won the US Olympic Trials handily and finished the OQE with the best record, having to win a tie breaker, then beat the Czech Republic. The knock on them is the aforementioned Urban Dictionary entry and the fact they’re susceptible to giving up big ends (See the first game against Pete Fenson in the Trials finals where he almost blew a 5 stone lead). There is massive upside to this team, but I don’t know that they get there through this field. Definitely not finishing 10th (Thanks, Russia). Somewhere in the middle sounds about right. China owns the Pacific, having won it six of the last seven years, including the last three. However, they haven’t made a big dent of the world stage, finishing 6th in both 2012 and 2013 at the World Championships. They've got more experience than Russia and Germany (Though Jahr is pretty old) and will be hanging out with USA, Denmark, and Switzerland playing spoiler and maybe getting into a tie-breaker situation. This Denmark rink is a team on the rise, but they’re not there yet. They had a good showing at last year’s World Championships by finishing fourth, up from their previous high of 7th in 2012. They’ve been just out of the medals at the last two European championships as well. Adding Canada, the USA and China into the mix doesn’t spell medal for Denmark to me. Sven Michel's Swiss rink are the current European champs, beating Norway in the final. Before that, they finished sixth in 2011-12, and Seventh at world's in 2011 and 2013. So, has this team finally made the leap? Or did they get hot and benefit from a struggling Sweden, Great Britain, and a Norway team that hasn't been able to finish of late? I think it's a bit of the latter that will be exposed by the extra competition and higher pressure of this tournament. There’s a chance for any of those teams to make a tie-breaker round. Of this middle group, I think Switzerland has the best chance to break out, though I think they’ll end up on the outside looking in. USA is the biggest question mark to me, and I think could be a dark horse. That's probably just homer talk though. The Playoffs

Sweden

Fourth: Niklas EDIN (Skip) Third: Sebastian KRAUPP (Vice-Skip)

Second: Fredrik LINDBERG Lead: Viktor KJAELL Alternate: Oskar ERIKSSON

Great Britain

Fourth: David MURDOCH (Skip) Third: Greg DRUMMOND (Vice-Skip)

Second: Scott ANDREWS Lead: Michael GOODFELLOW Alternate: Tom BREWSTER

Norway

Fourth: Thomas ULSRUD (Skip) Third: Torger NERGAARD (Vice-Skip)

Second: Christoffer SVAE Lead: Haavard Vad PETERSSON Alternate: Markus HOEIBERG

Canada

Fourth: Brad JACOBS (Skip) Third: Ryan FRY (Vice-Skip)

Second: E.J. HARNDEN Lead: Ryan HARNDEN Alternate: Caleb FLAXEY

Last season Sweden won the European and the World Championships, and impressive feat signaling they’ve really arrived. However, they followed that up this season by finishing fifth at the Euros and been rather lackluster on tour. Edin also has some back issues that saw him miss some time in previous seasons. Don’t know if that’s an issue again or not, but I just don’t see this team making it to the podium this year. Last Olympics this same rink finished fourth, and that's about where I see them again, but I honestly don’t know if they make it to the playoffs other than tie breakers. I’m giving them the edge for having Eva Lund as their coach. Thing is, I’m not really sold on Great Britain either. This five man rotation thing is kind of dumb, and it doesn't really seem to be working. Basically, Tom Brewster’s team was doing really well, finishing second at the worlds in 2011 and 2012. Murdoch’s team disbands/retires/whatever and Muddy has shoulder surgery. He’s part of the program and too accomplished and too handsome to leave on the sideline, so they throw him on Brewster’s squad and now they’ve finished third at last year’s world’s and third at the last Euros. They haven’t exactly been lighting it up and again, USA, China, and Canada are in the mix (They lost to Brady Clark’s American squad in Victoria). So, Norway. The Pants. They’ve got nine looks for their nine round robin games. I enjoy the flair, but hate the fact every other club curler now wears the most gaudy pair of pants they can find, with little regard to how to compliment them with a decent shirt. Rant aside, this is one of the most consistent teams around and they're the only other team beside Sweden to bring back their 2010 Olympic team fully intact (China is 3/4 there). Always competing at world’s and the Euros, they last won the European Championship in 2011, defending their 2010 win. They won silver in Vancouver losing out to Kevin Martin’s Canadian juggernaut. They’re going to get tons of attention for their pants, win some games, find a lucky pair and probably roll into the finals. Where they will lose to Canada. This Brad Jacobs team seemingly came out of nowhere, but it’s clear these guys are some of the hardest working curlers out there. After winning the Brier in 2013, which is no easy feat, they lost to Edin in the world finals in Victoria. Then, when Olympic qualification came around in the fall, they went undefeated in the trials pre-qualification, and again in the actual trials. They did not lose a game to the best teams in Canada when the Olympics were on the line. I repeat, they went undefeated over multiple weekends of curling against Kevin Martin, Glen Howard, Jeff Stoughton, John Morris and every other amazing Canadian curler you can think of. The rest of the field may be a crap shoot, but Canada is a lock for men’s gold. Podium You know what, fuck it. I just talked myself out of every other team but Canada to medal, so why not be a homer? USA beats Sweden in a tie-breaker, loses to Canada and beats Great Britain for the bronze. While Canada once again beats Norway for gold. What say you?

#The Pants #Team USA #Switzerland #Sweden #sochi #Scotland #russia #olympics #Norway #John Shuster #Germany #denmark #China

Olympic Curling Preview - Women

The Olympic curling event kicks off tomorrow in Sochi. Lots of good teams are there ready to battle it out for some hardware, it’s almost impossible to predict how it might turn out. But I’m going to try anyway.

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Post by NoHo Curling.

Let’s start with the women’s field. (Men are here) We’ll just start at the bottom and work our way to the top: Thanks For Coming

Japan

Fourth: Ayumi OGASAWARA (Skip) Third: Yumie FUNAYAMA

Second: Kaho ONODERA Lead: Chinami YOSHIDA Alternate: Michiko TOMABECHI

South Korea

Fourth: Jisun KIM (Skip) Third: Un Chi GIM

Second: Mi Sung SHIN(Vice-Skip) Lead: Min Ji UM Alternate: Seulbee LEE

South Korea and Japan are two solid teams, but I don’t think either are serious contenders for medals this time around. South Korea is up and coming, whereas Japan’s team is in its second act after skip Ayumi Ogasawara came out of retirement in 2010. She is a 4 time Olympian, and finished 3rd at the last Pacific Asian Championship (PAC). Another Japanese team finished 7th at last year’s worlds. They had to qualify the for the Olympics the hard way, through the Olympic Qualifying event (OQE) where they lost to China twice. Korea won the PAC last year and were 4th at the 2012 World Championships, however, Korea didn’t qualify a team for the World Championships in Riga last year. This is a good step for Korea’s curling program and will hopefully mean the automatic qualification in 2018 will not force a top 8 team into the next OQE. I think it will be a little bit of “happy to be here” for the Koreans, while the Japanese just playing as the 9th or 10th best team in the world right now and their records will show it. Could Be Medalists But Probably Won't

Denmark

Fourth: Lene NIELSEN (Skip) Third: Helle SIMONSEN

Second: Jeanne ELLEGAARD Lead: Maria POULSEN Alternate: Mette de NEERGAARD

Russia

Fourth: Anna SIDOROVA(Skip) Third: Margarita FOMINA (Vice-Skip)

Second: Alexandra SAITOVA Lead: Ekaterina GALKINA Alternate: Nkeiruka EZEKH

China

Fourth: Bingyu WANG (Skip) Third: Yin LIU (Vice-Skip)

Second: Qingshuang YUE Lead: Yan ZHOU Alternate: Yilun JIANG

USA

Fourth: Erika BROWN (Skip) Third: Debbie McCORMICK (Vice-Skip)

Second: Jessica SCHULTZ Lead: Ann SWISSHELM Alternate: Allison POTTINGER

The Danish team is the least accomplished of this group. I think they’re better than Japan and Korea, which puts them in this middle group, but I don't quite see them competing against the rest of the field enough to qualify for the playoffs, but if some teams break down and the Danes play above their heads a little, they could see themselves in a good spot. Sure, Russia is the host country, but they haven’t exactly been lighting it up recently. They were 6th at the world’s last year and 5th at the Euros. They seemed to peak with the European Championship in 2012. While they’re always contenders, they just don’t seem to be in that upper echelon yet and the next teams are going to give them too much trouble. Betty Wang of China, on the other hand, has a Bronze from Vancouver and is a former world champion. Though they finished 9th in Riga last year, this team is getting back to their top form. They went undefeated at the OQE to get back into the Olympics. I think China’s gap in winning has to do with Wang taking a detour to study in the USA a few years ago. I don’t think they’re going to medal this time around. They’ll fall to the middle because of the stiff competition. The USA probably has the most years of curling experience of any team, and this will be at least the second Olympics for each member. This team formed after the disastrous 2010 Olympics in which Debbie's USA squad finished 2-7 for 10th place. That definitely isn’t happening again. While they finished fourth in Riga last year, I don’t quite see them making the podium in Sochi, though I think they have a chance. Maybe they get into a tie-breaker scenario and find a way for a medal. I think the best we can hope for is a few upsets on the next group. The Playoffs

Great Britain

Fourth: Eve MUIRHEAD (skip) Third: Anna SLOAN (Vice-Skip)

Second: Vicki ADAMS Lead: Claire HAMILTON Alternate: Lauren GRAY

Switzerland

Fourth: Mirjam OTT (Skip) Third: Carmen SCHAEFER (Vice-Skip)

Second: Carmen KUENG Lead: Janine GREINER Alternate: Alina PAETZ

Canada

Fourth: Jennifer JONES (Skip) Third: Kaitlyn LAWES (Vice-Skip)

Second: Jill OFFICER Lead: Dawn MCEWAN Alternate: Kirsten WALL

Sweden

Lead: SIGFRIDSSON Margaretha (Skip) Fourth: PRYTZ Maria (Vice-Skip)

Third: Christina BERTRUP Second: Maria WENNERSTROEM Alt: Agnes KNOCHENHAUER

This is the real meat and potatoes of this event. These have been the most consistent teams and countries over the past few years, and in Jone’s (Canada) case, decade. The format is different than the World Championships, Euros, and Scotties. There is no page playoff; One plays four, two plays three; the winners play each other for gold and losers battle for silver. Eve’s Great Britain team is arguably the best in the world, and are defending world champs. However, it’s so hard to sustain that level of curling year after year, just ask Niklas Edin on the men’s side. After beating Sweden in Riga, they lost to the same team in the European finals. Though, that was a close game despite Muirhead not playing her best. I just think there’s a bit of “the favorite” factor that might cause them to not meet expectations. And between Sweden finally beating them, and Switzerland’s ability to compete hard against them, Great Britain is going to have a tough campagin ahead that I think will come up short. Mirjam Ott has been a rock, so to speak, of women’s curling. This is her fourth Olympics. She finished 2nd in 2002 and 2006, and 4th in 2010. She finished 3rd at the last Euros and only finished less than 3rd place once in the last decade. She’s always there! She was the world champion in 2012, but didn’t get to defend her title as Silvana Tirinzoni represented Switzerland in Riga. This has the makings of a last Olympic hurrah for Ott and despite not qualifying for the 2013 World Championships, she’s been playing some of her best curling recently. Including being 8-4 against Muirehead in their last 12 match-ups. Canada hasn’t won a world championship since 2008 (when Jone’s won it) and only has 1 silver in that time. Jone’s is a fierce competitor and great curler who is also known to suffer “brain farts” from time to time. This will be her first Olympics and I think the world competetion has just gotten too good to make Canada a clear-cut favorite, despite Jones’ pedigree. This Sweden team skipped by Margaretha Sigfridson with Maria Prytz throwing last rock are showing the signs of peaking. After finally emerging from Annette Norberg’s shadows and tweaking line-ups, they’ve settle on a formula that has seen them finish second at the last two World Championships, and win the Euros in 2013, avenging their gold medal loss to Muirehead in Riga. Podium All that is to say there is no clear-cut favorite here. I think we’re going to get a playoffs of Sweden and Canada as the top two, and Great Britain and Switzerland as 3-4, perhaps with USA and/or China involved in a tie breaker. I see Sweden and Canada winning, where Sweden wins the gold, and Switzerland takes the bronze against Great Britain. Do you disagree? Leave your picks below.

#Team USA #Switzerland #Sweden #sochi #Scotland #russia #olympics #Korea #Jennifer Jones #Japan #Erika Brown #denmark #Debbie McCormick #China #Canada

Vernon Davis Is At It Again

Honorary USA Curling captain Vernon Davis is back promoting curling. This time, on the revamped Arsenio Hall show, complete with a Hollywood Curling stone. Sure he gets some of the details wrong, but he's just an enthusiast, not a journalist. How about Esquire saying" In curling, the sweeping is to melt the ice, which controls the speed. The stones are made of granite and weigh just shy of 45 lbs." Or how about Bleacher Report copying and pasting from a 2010 preview:

There are some powerful personalities on the women’s side including Annette Norberg, captain of the two-time defending Swedish team. That same team won the gold in 2006 so they have become the ones to watch out for. Canada’s Cheryl Bernard hopes to have something say about that as the chief challenger to Sweden for the gold.

This year, the USA women will be led by 47-year-old Erika Brown who captains a team of veterans all of whom have appeared in at least one Olympics.

For the record, Erika Brown is NOT 47 years old. She was 15 when she competed in Calgary in 1988. Like Team USA? A 49er fan? Maybe you might be interested in one of these bad boys.

#Vernon Davis #Erika Brown #Cheryl Bernard #Annette Norberg

Foxy Brown: Behind The Music

Last year at Hollywood Curling, we struck a chord with our Summer Blockbuster Bonspiel movie parody posters. They're part of the reason I won that trip to Fargo! So, with the Olympics coming up I thought I'd kick it off with one for our women's Olympic team skipped by Erika Brown.

Of course this is in reference to the parody video I helped them with, What The Skip Say?

At 28k views, it's easily the most watch video I've ever made. It was featured on the New York Daily News, Mashable, and NBC Sports sites among other internet outlets. It's been heralded as "terrible," "cringeworthy," and "poorly executed" by anonymous YouTube users. Here's how it came about. After winning the #FANDango contest with another video, I got to know the rest of the team a bit in Fargo. It turned out they would be in Glasgow a few weeks later. I was excited to hang at the club and watch some good curling. Then, a week before the competition, I get an email from Terry Kolesar. "My next crazy idea..." Crazy as a fox! You see, when Terry sends you an email, you listen. Could I help them make a parody of the Ylvis video, What Does The Fox Say? while they're in town? The answer is, of course! (I was contractually obligated to*). I had a week before they arrived, no camera, and a couple of term papers due. Turned out one of my class mates has a point and shoot Canon with decent zoom and slow mo. Worked well for what I wanted, but turns out it was almost impossible to focus and there wasn't enough light in that building for it. Hence, all the dark and blurry shots. Other stuff was shot on an iPhone 4 and an iPhone 5. I grabbed some footage while they were playing, then we did the dance stuff on Sunday when the tournament was over before league play began at the rink. The team did a great job of choreographing their routine, considering the first time half of them heard the song was a couple days before. They were all game and it was a blast shooting it with them. And the costumes. Thanks, Primark! That's a perk of having a curling rink in a mall. I had ordered some fox ears and tails from Ebay, but they screwed up the postage and the only item that came in time was that tail Erika sports at the end. When it came down to the editing, I had to do my best dubbing over the lyrics. The instrumental version of the song doesn't totally match up with the real version, and that change between the two still drives me crazy every time I hear it. I still find it catchy as hell, and Allison's line, in particular, burrowed a hole in my brain like, well, a fox. I had a bunch of initial ideas, but it was clear I wasn't going to reach the level I wanted so I made do with the budget I had (£0). I would have liked to record all new words to the song, but you know, a week. It would have been neat to get Shuster to do the scatting fox bit at the end when he was in Scotland a couple weeks later. Or a shot of Bill Toddhunter "coaching" the girls after they goof around in the costumes and making them better, but he took off right away. All things considering I'm pretty pleased. Most people seem to enjoy it or otherwise keep to themselves. Some things work better than I thought they would. At the end of the day, it was fun putting it together, and the team likes it, so mission accomplished. I still think Jimmy Fallon should have had them on and do a legit remake of the idea. *not really (#FANDango!)

#videos #Team USA #summer blockbuster #Photoshop #music videos #Jessica Shultz #Erika Brown #Debbie McCormick #Braehead #Ann Swisshelm #Allison Pottinger

Continental Cup Does Vegas

Since I couldn't be bothered to attend the Continental Cup, I sent Adam for another dispatch. It took me a few days to write this post because.... well let's just say that five days in Las Vegas is too many days to spend there. Say what you will about Vegas--the air quality inside the casinos, the overpriced and often mediocre cocktails, waiting in line for an hour for a cab because the Adult Video Awards just let out--it has its an energy all its own. I attended the inaugural October 12, 2013 " target="_blank">Sin Sity Spiel in Las Vegas, but the ice was far enough off the strip that it didn't feel particularly more debauched than your average bonspiel.

A bit different than Mankato “@JillOfficer: Our sign bearer in #Vegas!! #Curling #contcup pic.twitter.com/MpcgFswXCI” — Team Zissou (@TeamZissouCurl) January 16, 2014

But last week, the Continental Cup of Curling was held in Las Vegas--the first time ever it was held outside of Canada. And it's safe to say that it was a hit; they're already planning to bring the event back here as early as 2016. From the perspective of one of a cadre of California curlers attending the event as either a volunteer or a spectator, from Wednesday on the casino and hotel was jam-packed with Canadian retirees (who else can take a week off to fly to Vegas for a curling tournament?). I don't think the organizers were quite prepared for the onslaught; lines for shuttles became the stuff of nightmares, and nearly all the merchandise was sold out by the first day.

And of course, there was awesome curling on display. (Jeff Stoughton being exhorted by the crowd to attempt a difficult double, and then making it to take four is a favorite memory.) And of course it was sometimes equally interesting when the elite teams struggled, as North America did in the Singles event, which is basically a sort of hot shots competition. We are so used to seeing these curlers draw perfectly to cover the pin, essentially on command, that seeing someone leave the stone outside of the rings in a high pressure situation shows that they are still mortal!

And the curlers were also in good form off the ice; a huge part of the magic of the event was encountering curlers at the craps tables, at the buffet, and in the nightclubs. Suffice it to say, even at the biggest curling events in the United States (like Nationals), the curling atmosphere rarely spills out of the venue and takes over part of a city the way that it did last weekend. It was sort of like existing in a curling-themed amusement park. (I guess that's basically what Canada is, eh?)

So I'm thrilled that the event is likely to return to the United States, and excited that some of that curling spirit is likely to rub off on the locals here. However, if and when the Continental Cup returns to the States, it won't be quite the same: beginning next year, the United States will no longer compete in the Continental Cup as part of Team North America. The Canadian Curling Association has announced that beginning in 2015, the event will feature "Team Canada" (comprising six Canadian teams) taking on the rest of the world. An event that had previously been cooperatively held by the CCA, the United States Curling Association, and the World Curling Federation will now belong exclusively to Canada.

After seeing the camaraderie and teamwork displayed on the ice this weekend, its hard not take this personally. Er, nationally? Well, I guess I'll be rooting for Team World from now on!

The SoCal delegation at the Continental Cup!

#Team USA #las vegas #guests #Continental Cup

#FANDango in Fargo: The Finale

Jesus Christ this is taking forever. Figure it'd be better to get this finished before the new year. In case you missed the previous parts in the series, you can check them out here. So let's just dive in, shall we?

Ready for my workout session at the Fargo Family Wellness Center w/ 3X NCAA wrestling champ Steve Saxlund. #FANdango pic.twitter.com/t9lth0K7h9 — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 16, 2013

The day started butt ass early at the Family Wellness Center in Fargo. The contest called for a work-out with 3-time NCAA wrestling champion Steve Saxlund, so naturally I came prepared to wrestle! However, he only kicked my ass in circuit training at the fancy gym. Steve is also part of the Convention and Visitor Bureau, and was an integral part in making the whole trip happen. Many of the non-curling bonuses happened with his help. Now, thoroughly worked, I got to undo all that work by drinking some fine fruit wine with the gang at the Maple River Winery. It was a very cozy operation. They're packed with wine and wine making tools. Their classic recipes are quite popular. See, grapes don't grow in North Dakota (or at least not worthy of making wine out of) so they make all kinds of fruit wines, like apple and rhubarb. Plus, a whole bunch of other flavors. In addition to the plentiful wine tasting, they sent me home with a gift basket featuring their Wood Chipper (seriously, Fargo loves them the wood chipper) rhubarb wine and a couple of branded wine glasses.

Wait, wait, wait... Apple jalapeño wine?! Yes please. @MapleRiverWine FTW — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 16, 2013

Mmmm... Just like licking a honeycomb! @MapleRiverWine's Honey Comb Plum! — Jen Gamboa (@cupcakecurler) November 16, 2013

As good as it all was, we couldn't stay for long, there was a busy day of curling ahead, starting with helping the ice crew! #FANDango!

Workout & wine. Now time to prep ice with @shawn_olesen at the #OlympicTrials for the Shuster/Fenson match. The Fargo #FANdango continues. — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 16, 2013

My job was to line up Shuster's yellow stones so they looked nice and weren't touching the barrier. A task I handled with great ease, as it was the only ice crew task I was qualified for. More importantly, I got to bestow upon Terry Kolesar her ice crew sash with her "Rookie of the Year" badge. She must have gotten the award from me stuffing the "favorite ice tech" ballot box with her name.

I wore my official Ice Crew hat for this job.

Then, the curling started. Shuster v Fenson, game 2 in a best of three.

@HollywoodCurl in #Fargo with @FargoBrewing = awesomeness. #OlympicTrials pic.twitter.com/dzCHNc9T4J — chris olander (@colanderland) November 16, 2013

"Curl, you son of a gun!" - @Shoostie2010 #OlympicTrials — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 16, 2013

“@NoHoCurling: Zez and Lands: Power Sweepers. #OlympicTrials #curling” I want to sweep like them when I grow up. — Jen Gamboa (@cupcakecurler) November 16, 2013

It cannot be understated just how much cow plop John Shuster pulled himself out of — Matt Sussman (@suss2hyphens) November 16, 2013

Great #curling match tonight. Rojeski & Polo played amazing. Shoostie got himself out of jams. Let's do it again tomorrow. #OlympicTrials — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 17, 2013

After Fenson won in the extra end, we still had a tight schedule to keep. The ladies were up at 7pm, but we were off to attend our pal Jerome's reception for his Hall of Fame induction. It was a classy affair at the Ramada, with an eclectic group of folks, including a couple other California curlers! Wes Seeger and Jay Diamond from San Francisco were there, so it was nice to see some familiar faces. It was also nice to meet some new folks, as curlers are wont to do. At our table were some nice Canadians who were there to support Jon Mielke, who was also inducted in to the HOF that weekend. Turns out, one of them was The Curler, Resby Coutts!

Now, I'm not terribly familiar with Resby's work, but I can't forget such a great curling name like that! We chatted about curling and all that good stuff and he talked about his radio show. He then asked our group who was the best speaker, which prompted all of us to point to each other in this bizarro Mexican standoff. He then pulled out his portable recorder and microphone and interviewed Marissa and me on the spot about our club and our awesome bonspiel!

Now it was time for the ladies to play their second match in the best of three, so it was back to Scheels Arena for that game.

Watching @RockEBro continue their quest toward Sochi! #goteamgo #OlympicTrials pic.twitter.com/Q5g8H5ZrJ5 — Marissa Messier (@dydirect) November 17, 2013

This game was another close one, as expected. They're such evenly matched, it came down to the last end as Team Brown was coming home with the hammer.

Tick. Tick. Peel. Peel. Peel. Peel. Draw. Draw. Win. — E.Bro (@RockEBro) November 17, 2013

Just like that, Team Brown booked their trip to Sochi. But first, they had to get their trials medals.

Yup, as a last minute #FANDango addition, I got to give out the gold medals. I think Deb and Jess were a little surprised to see me up there. Jen handed out the silver medals to a gracious Team Pottinger. The worst part of the weekend was being on the ice, and seeing Allison and Nicole after the loss. I guess that's one of the problems when you'd be happy with either winning team, when one of them loses, you feel terrible for them.

Chris took this great photo with the gang, Debbie and Pete McCormick. We've had a few laughs over the years, hanging with them at the Wine Country Curling bonspiel, so it was nice being able to share this moment with them.

I think part of the #FANdango prize is @cupcakecurler gets to be fifth for @RockEBro, right @Jess_Curls? — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 17, 2013

It was another night in the Holiday Inn bar. Liza and I chatted with Kyle, giving him some fodder for this terrific post. There was a live band, and maybe even some twerking. Then we called in a night. Originally, the men were supposed to play in the morning, but because the women finished in two games, the men were bumped to the afternoon. Yay for sleeping in, boo for early evening flights. When we saw Shuster in the hotel lobby on Sunday morning, we suggested an early end would help us make it to our flight in time...

Whoa, congrats to @TeamShuster! Kick some ass in Germany! #RoadToSochi #Curling — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 17, 2013

Alright Team #FANDango, let's get our shoes on and fill this TV time. — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 17, 2013

Here they are! Team USA/Shuster for the Olympic Qualification Event in Germany and then on to Sochi. #OlympicTrials pic.twitter.com/ROmnWgNmLQ — Terry Kolesar (@terry_usacurl) November 17, 2013

It was a doozy of a game, one in which the stunned crowd sat silent as it wrapped up. Shuster had told us they have to play six ends because of TV, so when Fenson shook after four ends down 11-1, it was quite a stunner. No one wants to cheer in a situation like that. The fiver for Shuster was crazy enough, but to follow that up with a steal of four? Not the way you want to see something like that end. As it stood, it was just in time for us to say goodbye and make it to the airport for our long journey home.

*single tear* “@terry_usacurl: And just like that it's over. #teardown #OlympicTrials #scheelsarena #hockeytime pic.twitter.com/HEHa7nn9YH” — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 18, 2013

Thanks to @terry_usacurl, Rick, @knit1curl1, @shawn_olesen, Steve, Jon, Carmen and everyone in Fargo. Can't wait to come back. — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 17, 2013

Thanks #Fargo, @NoHoCurling is right, you're the Paris of the Midwest. So many great times this past #Curling week. #awesome — chris olander (@colanderland) November 18, 2013

Epic week in Fargo. Journey home begins now. First stop MSP. — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 17, 2013

Now that that's done, time to look forward to Sochi. Tickets purchased, flights booked, visa's in passports. Really excited for this one, you know, if it actually happens.

#Team Brown #Resby Coutts #Pete Fenson #Olympic Trials #Kyle Jahns #John Shuster #Jerome Larson #Fargo #Debbie McCormick #FANDango

Meanwhile, In Italy...

The third and fourth Team USAs are in Italy this week competing at the Winter University Games. CBS Sports will air the Men's Gold Final on December 21st. Don't know if there will be any webstreaming, but you can follow the team on Twitter: Chris Plys, Korey Dropkin, Stephen Dropkin, and Coach Phil. The US men won gold in 2007 with a team featuring Chris Plys. Here's hoping they can snag another medal.

@CoachPhill Did Chris have any trouble getting days off from school? Tough missing so many lectures. #secondPhD 2007-2013 — J I (@LaZyIkE_14) December 3, 2013

Apparently, there have been some ice issues. The teams haven't been able to get on to practice. If this continues, at least there is a back-up plan.

Ice isn't ready yet. They said if the ice isn't ready tomorrow we will proceed in a lawn bowling format. — chris plys (@chrisplys) December 11, 2013

Either way, we know Team USA will look good.

Doesn't get much better/worse than this. @CoachPhill showing off our hideous clothes. #1976 #richardsimmons pic.twitter.com/skyUNH8u6j — chris plys (@chrisplys) December 11, 2013

#Winter University Games #Italy #Chris Plys

Road to Sochi Detours Through Glasgow

While the men are in Germany fighting for their Olympic lives, the ladies of Team USA are in Scotland riding in swings.

Post by Team E. Brown.

They're in Glasgow for the Red Sky Challenge at the Braehead Curling center. Red Sky is Eve Muirhead's management company, so obviously her Scottish rink is participating. To round out the field are Mirjam Ott's Olympic Swiss team and Cissi Östlund's national champion Swedish team are joining the fray. For those looking forward to seeing Eve exact Swedish revenge after the European Championships, you'll be disappointed. Don't know why Margarita Sigfridsson isn't coming, but as a spectator, I'm not going to complain.

It's a nice Olympic preview, with 4 of the top 5 nations from last year's World Championships, and the top three countries from last months Euros. But really, this is a showcase for Eve Muirhead and the team. At least that's what her managers are hoping. Here's to Team Brown doing some damage and winning this thing.

You never know who you'll run into on the bus to curling in Glasgow. pic.twitter.com/GWUzVSsgXA — Matt (@NoHoCurling) December 11, 2013

It's a double round robin event, so each team plays each other twice. Then 1 and 2 play each other for the crown, while 3 and 4 duke it out to avoid a Finnish medal. The schedule is below and they plan on webstreaming the event with commentators and everything. More importantly, I'll be tweeting during the event, so tune in for my in depth analysis and play-by-play.

“@NoHoCurling: I'm drinking this all weekend in honor of @ebrowncurl. pic.twitter.com/XiJd2VnyTz” @Curling_Tet #scottishgolfvacation #nextyear? — Erika Brown (@ebrowncurls) December 11, 2013

Thursday 12th Dec 11:00 am PST *Great Britain v USA *Switzerland v Sweden Friday 13th Dec 3:00 am PST *USA v Switzerland *Sweden v Great Britain 8:00 am PST USA* v Sweden Great Britain* v Switzerland Saturday 14th Dec 1:00 am PST Great Britain v USA * Switzerland v Sweden * 6:00 am PST *Switzerland v USA Sweden v Great Britain* 11:00 am PST Sweden* v USA *Switzerland v Great Britain Sunday 15th Dec 1:00 am PST Rank 1 v Rank 2 Rank 3 v Rank 4

#Team USA #Team Brown #Switzerland #Sweden #Scotland #Mirjam Ott #Eve Muirhead #Cissi Ostlund #Braehead

The Road to Sochi Continues Through Füssen

This week both Team Brown and Team Shuster are in Europe, continuing on their Road to Sochi, but on different paths. While the ladies are in Glasgow, Scotland to visit me and do some curling while they're here, Shuster and the gang are in Füssen, Germany competing in the inaugural Olympic Qualifying Event.

The OQE features eight teams competing for the last two spots in the 10 team field of the Olympics. The other eight spots have been filled by the to top seven teams, based on the past few World Championships and Russia, as the host nation. The USA finished eighth.

Ranking-wise, USA is consider as the top team in this field by virtue of being the first team left out of the Olympics, and now they just need to finish top two. However, there is some tough competition at this bonspiel and Shuster will need to be at the top of his game, and take advantage of whatever opportunities are given him. Considering this is almost the "B Pool" of the worlds, there should be plenty of chances for big ends, which Shuster lives and dies on. It will be interesting.

Here's the field:

United States

Fourth/Skip: John SHUSTER, Third: Jeff ISAACSON, Second: Jared ZEZEL, Lead: John LANDSTEINER Alternate: Craig BROWN, Team Coach: Tim MULLER, Photo L-R: Skip/3/2/L

After a strong showing in Fargo which saw them down Pete Fenson in a two and a half game final, they was ousted in the semis at the Duluth Cashspiel over Thanksgiving weekend (by the eventual winner skipped by Craig). This is Shuster's to win or lose.

Czech Republic

Fourth/Skip: Jiri Snítil, Third: Martin Snítil, Second: Jindřich Kitzberger, Lead: Marek Vydra Alternate: Jakub Bareš, Coach: Sune Frederiksen Photo L-R: A/L/2/3/Skip

Despite Tuck's insistence, Czechoslovakia is not in this tournament (nor is it a country anymore), but the Czech Republic is. This team finished a game ahead of the USA team skipped by Brady Clark at last year's world championships by virtue of 9-8 win with a record of 6-5. This was also the team that finished the European Championships in seventh place at 3-6. Apparently skip Jiri Snitil was sick and sat out a few games. So, is he back to 100% for Germany? Was the world's last year a fluke? How much does he look like Christoph Waltz? These are all questions that will be answered this week.

Germany

Fourth: Felix Schulze, Third/Skip: John Jahr, Second: Christopher Bartsch, Lead: Sven Goldemann Alternate: Peter Rickmers, Coach: Martin Beiser, Photo L-R: Skip/4/2/L/A

This team was relegated to the B group of the European Championships this year, which they won. Then they beat Latvia in a best of 3 to make take the last European spot at the 2014 World Championships. This isn't your dad's Andy Kapp led German team, so they're a bit of a mystery for us Americans. The fact they're on a bit of a hot streak doesn't bode well. They could be a bit of a dark horse.

Finland

Fourth/Skip: Aku Kauste, Third: Jani Sullanmaam Second: Pauli Jäämiesm Lead: Janne Pitko Alternate: Leo Mäkelä, Coach: Wille Mäkelä, Photo L-R: Skip/3/2/L/A

Not a dark horse? Finland. This team finished last at the worlds last year, and did not represent Finland at the ECC this year. Finland at the ECC finished last, at 1-8. So what I'm saying is a last place finish is now referred to as a Finnish medal. All that said, they're perfectly capable of playing spoiler, so look for them to have beaten a team that qualifies.

France

Fourth: Tony Angiboust, Third/Skip: Thomas Dufour, Second: Wilfrid Coulot, Lead: Jérémy Frarier Alternate: Romain Borini, Coach: Yannick Renggli, Photo L-R: 4/Skip/2/L

This Thomas Dufour rink should be familiar, as they are one of the two teams USA beat at last Olympics. This seemed to be France's only curling team, but then they lost Joffrey Vincent for the spot at Europeans, who then shit the bed and dropped France to the B group with a 1-8 record. Basically, thanks for showing up, France.

New Zealand

Fourth/Skip: Peter de Boer, Third: Sean Becker, Second: Scott Becker, Lead: Kenny Thomson Alternate: Philip Dowling, Coach: Peter Becker, Photo L-R: Skip/3/2/L/A

Another dark horse team, this rink features a couple of Scotsmen and finished fourth at the Pacific Championships this year. Though they nearly had a Finnish medal at September's China Open when they played against some of the second best teams in Europe. Their winter is over, are their chances for an Olympic berth over as well?

Korea

Fourth/Skip: Soo-Hyuk Kim, Third: Tae-Hwan Kim, Second: Jong-Duk Park, Lead: Yoon-Ho Nam Alternate: Ye-Jun Lee, Coach: Se-Young Yang, Photo L-R: Skip/3/2/L/A

They finished in third at the Pacific Championships by beating New Zealand in the bronze match. NZ had a better record, but Korea won when it mattered. They're also the host nation for the 2018 Olympics, so they'll get an automatic bid. Which usually means money is being poured into the program to ensure a competitive team. Will that make this team competitive enough this time around? Probably not.

Japan

Fourth/Skip: Yusuke Morozumi, Third: Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, Second: Tetsuro Shimizu, Lead: Kosuke Morozumi Alternate: Shinya Abe, Coach: Hatomi Nagaoka, Photo L-R: Skip/3/2/L

Finished with a silver in the Pacifics after losing the final to China, despite having a better record. They finished second to last at the World's last year, including beating Brady Clark. Regardless, you'll see a lot of them this week if you tune into the feed. Predictions: The top three teams make it to the playoffs in a stunted page playoff system. Teams 1 and 2 play each other with the winner advancing onto the playoffs. The loser then plays Team 3 for the last Olympic spot. So if the USA can finish top two, they'll just need to win one more game to make it to the Olympics. I'm going to be a total homer and predict the USA gets one of the two spots. Finishing 2nd out of the bottom 8 of the world? Totally doable. When I look at this field, seems about right for the United States, but I do think they're at the top after seeing Shuster last month in Fargo and some of these other teams at the ECC. Like I said, it's Shuster's to win or lose. So hopefully we see more of the first half of his first game against Pete Fenson in the Trials finals, and less of ends 8-10. I think the other spot is going to go to streaky Germany, using their home ice advantage. They'll finish either 2 or three with the Czechs, and beat them in the second qualification match. Sorry, Jiri. Schedule: The World Curling Federation will be streaming games via their YouTube channel. Unfortunately, it'll be mostly Japan and China matches since those countries will be airing the matches on television. So, Mark down 10:00 a.m. PST on Friday, December 12th as the sole USA game being streamed. Tune in otherwise for updates and the chance they'll swap over to a USA game. The full schedule is here. Team USA takes the ice today at 7:00 am PST. The webstream schedule is here. Be sure to follow Terry Kolesar for updates throughout the week!

After many delays & a re-scheduled flight along the way, I've arrived in Fuessen and ready to support Team USA ....without luggage. #oqe2013 — Terry Kolesar (@terry_usacurl) December 9, 2013

#Team USA #OQE #olympics #New Zealand #Korea #John Shuster #Jiri Snitil #Japan #Germany #Fuessen #France #Finland #Czech Republic

PICking Up The Slack

Being in Scotland, sometimes I really miss the U.S. Thanksgiving was tough, but then Jen made and awesome dinner. Even though the ice is infinitely better and more abundant than in California, I've gotta say I miss the curling. I have to live vicariously through my friends and my team back home. Like watching them on an iPhone while at the Olympic Trials. So, here's Adam Kapp from the San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club with a recap from the California PIC Playdowns. Since he took my spot on Team Zissou for the competition, it was only fitting that he write up a recap of his experience for the blog.

A few weekends ago I had the pleasure of competing in the California playdowns for the Pacific International Cup, commonly referred to as "The PIC." There are a lot of great things about playing down for the PIC, or playing in any competitive event. The ice at Evergreen was--for the most part--fantastic, and it's a great feeling to know that friends and family can watch the games streaming live. And of course, the competition features some of the best curlers in California, which means a weekend of exciting, closely contested matches, and celebrating our curling progress as a state.

My club (the San Francisco Bay Area Curling club) actually sent more teams to the PIC playdowns this year then we are sending to MoPac playdowns for Club Nationals--I think many teams felt that they would have better odds of qualifying for the PIC, and it's certainly an attractive alternative for those who can't get a full week off to do to Club Nationals.

Squeaked out another win. Adam is getting interviewed on the stream right now. Back on the ice at 1. pic.twitter.com/uQmHYKbHhF — Team Zissou (@TeamZissouCurl) November 16, 2013

These are all wonderful reasons to play down for the PIC, but there was another reason that I was most excited for this year: Our PIC playdowns, interestingly, have a rule that allows teams to have a single member from a different club, so long as that club is also in California.

So let me explain a little bit why this was exciting.

My first competitive event was the mens' MoPac regional playdowns for Club Nationals just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a weekend of a lot of mixed emotions; my father had passed away suddenly less than a month before. It was a really interesting experience. Most of the teams were a bit older than us, and more experienced. There was a lot of eye rolling about our homemade uniforms and our constant status updates on our team's social media page.

On the second day of competition, we played a team from Hollywood Curling Club known as "Team Zissou." Now, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is one of my favorite movies of all time, so I was sort of instantly on board with the gestalt of this team. And these guys were like us; fairly new to curling, from California, and approaching curling seriously, but not too seriously. They were probably the most friendly team I met that weekend. Beating them in the pool phase of that playdown punched our ticket to the playoffs, and a rivalry was born. One that intensified when Zissou snagged the wild card spot in the playoffs, eventually beating us, and another team from our club on their way to qualifying for Club Nationals.

Great game against @CDervishes. 1-1. Will continue this at the PIC playdowns next month! — Team Zissou (@TeamZissouCurl) January 15, 2012

We would run into these guys again several times at bonspiels around California and MoPac, trading wins and losses. There were several phases to the rivalry--itself a one-sided affair, I think. After the loss at playdowns, I think we were referring to them as our archnemeses. At some point (possibly around the time we found out Zissou was pro-Red Vines, and we were pro-Twizzlers) we started throwing around the term "frenemies," which was silly enough to be accurate.

This year at our home bonspiel, The Golden Gate, when I ran into our counterparts from Hollywood shooting Fireball and getting pumped up to a rap about Hot Cheetos before the bonspiel finals (we were playing in different events this time), it finally clicked that I wanted to curl with these guys, in some configuration, at some point. I think we discussed it for about 30 seconds in the bar after the final. It seemed like a nice idea, but I wasn't sure it would go any further than that.

Lo and behold when the announcement came out calling for teams to play down for California's berth to the PIC, I sent a message to the guys on Team Zissou seeing if they were interested, as Matt was recently departed for Scotland. After a few long email chains, it was settled and our registration was submitted.

Now, smashing together individuals from two different teams who had never actually played together before was not without little challenges. Wrapping my head around timing from the back line (instead of the T-line, as I usually do) was a piece of cake compared to the anxiety of not wanting to be an albatross around the neck of my hosts. But on the ice I asked a lot of questions, and I think every time I did, I learned something new about a sport I've been following for over 10 years, and playing for almost four. How do they decide who sweeps inside or outside? What calls does their skip use? What kind of feedback do they want when they throw their rocks? How do they like to spend time between draws? What are their favorite Voodoo Doughnuts?

Adam is such a good guy, the team was able to overlook his unnatural affinity toward Twizzlers. - Ed.

I will say one great thing was that (so far as I know), playing with a team from another club was a total non-issue with anyone I ran into. Though Evergreen's live streaming commentator Eric Toews did once (jokingly!) refer to me as "the traitor" in a post-game interview. Which is fair; It's not that common to see composite teams at events like these, but I hope it becomes more common. Sure, the inability to practice together on a regular basis can be a challenge, but many of the teams we played had formed just for the purposes of that weekend. Team dynamics and chemistry are a huge part of the sport, but clearly these are issues that can be managed.

Won our first game with a measure in an extra end! Back on the ice at 6 PM. pic.twitter.com/HYy45YoUmt — Team Zissou (@TeamZissouCurl) November 16, 2013

As for the results of the playdown, Barry Ivy's team (SFBACC) ran the table during the round robin and will represent California in Richmond next year. We had a narrow loss in our final game against Jesus Barajas that would have forced tiebreakers had we won (due to the double knockout provision). Jesus' team finished third. Many of the games were decided in the last end, and many on skips rocks.

In summary, I had a great experience at the PIC this year, and subbing in on a "rival" team from another club was a big part of that. When I got into curling, I was excited about the team building aspects of the sport, but I am constantly impressed by the close knit curling community in California, and this is what keeps me curling more than anything else. Having friendly rivalries is a great motivation to bring your best game to each new bonspiel or competitive event, and, you never know: You might just end up playing on the same team somewhere down the line.

Thanks for the update Adam! Looking forward to more throughout the season.

#Team Zissou #SFBACC #PIC #guests #Evergreen Curling #Battle of California

#FANDango in Fargo: Getting Serious

Part 1 and Part 2.

It's Friday morning. The round robin has completed. The finals about to begin. What to do?

So what do you do when you get knocked out of the Trials and all your friends are here to support you? @dbenson55 @courtneycgeorge #judge — Tyler George (@tgeorge1323) November 15, 2013

Between the busy days and the jetlag, I could have gone for some Judge myself. But no time, there was too much on tap. First up, Carmen and I awake early to get a tour of the Fargo Microsoft campus.

Apparently it's their biggest campus outside of Redmond, Washington, dating back to their acquisition of Great Plains Digital. As expected, it was a high tech office park, with fancy room reservation systems, a state of the art commissary, Starbucks coffee, and fully stocked video game break rooms. But the biggest thing I took away was that there is an update for Windows 8 that lets you change the default screen to the desktop. Jen, get on that.

We wrapped up and joined the rest of #TeamFANDango for my private screening of Fargo at Fargo's historic Fargo Theater.

It's a cool art deco theater built in 1926, complete with an organ and everything. The staff was very friendly, selling me the last black and white print of the theater they had in their case. When the movie started, I couldn't stop laughing at how dumb my video entry was. I also found the other connection between the movie and the Olympic Trials.

Really enjoyed watching Fargo, starring Heath McCormick. #FANdango! pic.twitter.com/vWtHzwcF2W — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 15, 2013

I always forget just how good that movie is and how much I enjoy it. Also, how little of it actually is set in Fargo (the opening scene) and how little of it was shot in Fargo (none of it). But God bless Fargo, they embrace it. Here's a wooden statue of Francis McDormand.

Thanks @NoHoCurling for letting us crash your #FANDango prize screening of Fargo. #OlympicTrials pic.twitter.com/3b5heQnj45 — Marissa Messier (@dydirect) November 15, 2013

After a grand time at the cinema, it was time to hit the Road to Sochi (event) at the Scheels sports store and use my gift card.

Can you tell me how to get to the #RoadToSochi? pic.twitter.com/3nK9tSjxm3 — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 15, 2013

The event was a bunch of demos for Olympic sports, including curling. We tried it on their fake ice, either going completely off the sheet, or coming up well short. Obviously it wasn't real curling, but I imagine the luge demo was EXACTLY what it's like to be on the luge.

Chris and I tied for hardest slapshot at 58 mph, the girls posed for a photo in a bobsled, and we got free yogurt. We also met 2010 US Olympic Curler Jason Smith, out of his Florida retirement to schmooze with potential curling fans.

On the #RoadtoSochi we met @smittycurler #RaiseYourHands #RISE @nohocurling @dydirect pic.twitter.com/FPqYsx18qP — LizaBeres (@curlgurl82) November 15, 2013

He had a contest with John Benton, who was in the booth the day before, on who would get more visitors. Benton had 40, and we just gave Smitty six. Don't know who had more visitors, but I know who won, me. Because I got my hands on the ultra rare Pete Fenson Topps card with and error on the back.

One of the coolest things I snagged is Pete Fenson's @toppscards! Extra valuable due to the error #Memidji #FANdango pic.twitter.com/DejU9xCg9p — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 18, 2013

The Scheels store was nuts! Two stories, a Ferris wheel, and statues of American Presidents everywhere. Here is John Adams watching Chris and Marissa on the wheel.

Again, tight schedule to keep as the first draw of the finals was nearing. We had to get there early too, as our pal, Jerome Larson was getting inducted into the USCA Conference Room Hall of Fame. He's a legend in California, affectionately referred to as the Johnny Appleseed of curling. If not for him, none of #TeamFANDango would be curling. So it was extra special to be there for his induction.

Post by USA Curling.

Then the finals kicked off! On the women's side it was Team Brown vs. Team Pottinger, the two teams I picked to be on top. While I like both teams, Team Brown features two pals in Debbie McCormick and Jessica Schultz, so we were rooting them on. Mostly, I just want to continue to get some mileage out of this poster.

Post by Hollywood Curling.

I found out later that the ladies on Team Brown really love the poster. So much so that they had a copy hanging in their hotel room! That was the second coolest thing during the week. The coolest comes up tomorrow.

On the men's side. Shuster squared off against Fenson. I wasn't ballsy enough to make picks on the men's side, but this final is set up similar to the women. I like both teams, but I know Shoostie, so I wanted him to win. Plus, I like the potential redemption story if he gets back to the Olympics. Of course he had to beat Pete first. The first game started off great for him, dropping four in the sixth end to take an 8-3 lead with three ends to go, looked like smooth sailing.

Until, somehow, the game ended up in an extra end!

We're approaching #DEFCONShuster — Mattheim Sussroller (@suss2hyphens) November 15, 2013

So, this was it. Was Shuster going to Shuster it again? Would the wheels come off his run as the top seed into the playoffs? Was Pete going to put the hammer down on Shuster? Why am I asking so many questions, of course you already know that Shuster pulled out the win in an extra end.

After that that business was done, we finally go to the real curling as they let #TeamFANDango onto the ice and on the fifth man sheet, where Liza promptly drew a shot to her own face.

Photo: I threw a stone at my face and I hit the button!!!!! Look at that shot! Thanks to Matt for winning... http://t.co/gCDrdxC9vv — LizaBeres (@curlgurl82) November 16, 2013

It was a pretty cool throwing stones on championship ice and slider over our the faces of our friends.

Shawn on the ice team was great, too. Those guys probably have the most fun at these events because they love their job so much. Lots of pressure to get that ice right, and it seemed like they did a great job. Can't wait to get to the next big event and hang out with them again.

We're hanging with @shawn_olesen on the Trials ice! @colanderland @cupcakecurler @curlgurl82 @NoHoCurling pic.twitter.com/EiQgXfBPyG — Marissa Messier (@dydirect) November 16, 2013

We wrapped up throwing stones grabbed some grub and retired back to the Holiday Inn bar. Last recap coming up soon, featuring the finals, the winners and more random shenanigans.

#Tyler George #Team Pottinger #Team Brown #Pete Fenson #Kyle Jahns #John Shuster #Jessica Shultz #Jason Smith #Ice Crew #Fargo #Debbie McCormick #FANDango

#FANDango in Fargo: In Full Effect

#FANDango series goes on all week. Check out part 1. Thursday. Our first full day in Fargo and we started it out right, with some honest to God crispy bacon! None of this streaky rasher b.s. from the UK. We had the option of touring the Fargodome in the morning but that's when our pals John Shuster and Tyler George were playing each other, and dag nabbit, I was there to watch us some curling! Which we did. In the Conventions and Visitors Bureau suite. While getting interviewed by Prairie Public Radio. With a fridge full of beer.

Hanging on @NoHoCurling fanciness. Our sweet suite view. #Fargo #OlympicTrials pic.twitter.com/JWCgYOJDFf — chris olander (@colanderland) November 14, 2013

Look at @NoHoCurling getting interviewed for the radio. This guy is fancy! #OlympicTrials #FANDango pic.twitter.com/VffXNwOrom — Marissa Messier (@dydirect) November 14, 2013

The problem with watching a game where you wish both teams could win, is that one team is going to lose. Unfortunately that was Tyler this time in a close game. But we'd be back in the afternoon as he attempted to make it to tie breakers. The women's side was a close affair as well, where Team Brown wrapped up the round robin in a tight match against Pottinger to finish tied for first and set themselves up for a best of three in the finals on Friday. But now it was time for beer. Team #FANDango headed off to the Fargo Brewing Company to get a personal tour. It is an unassuming building, but inside is everything you need to make great beer, specifically, four dudes who love the craft and love their city.

Their signature beer is their Scottish Ale, aptly named Stone's Throw, complete with an image of a curling stone on it. Something tells me this is going to be a hot seller at the new Fargo-Moorhead Curling Club. And by something I mean someone told me that, they're going to have it on tap once their license kicks in. They also have their flagship Wood Chipper ale, because, you know, Fargo.

After the tour we had a tasting of all they had to offer. Everything was great. The Stone's Throw was solid, the Snozbeer tasted like Snozbeer, and the Sodbuster porter could be my favorite porter.

The vision these guys have for this place is great. It's a perfect example homegrown business and adaptive re-use. There's a derelict laundry mat across the street that someone needs to snap up and turn into restaurant to complement the brewery. We headed out with an armful of swag and a case of Stone's Throw, ready for lunch at JL Beers. This place is a cool little burger place with a ton of beer on tap, including my incumbent favorite porter, Deschutes Black Butte! I got to directly compare these two beers and I don't know if I could pick a favorite now. I'd probably have an easier time picking a favorite kid. Aside from having the best burger I've eaten in two months, I got to talk more with Steve Saxlund, 3-time NCAA wrestling champion, who works for the Fargo Conventions and Visitors Bureau. He was one of our hosts and will put me through the ringer a couple days later. I used this opportunity to pitch my new Fargo slogan.

We're gonna make it a thing. Look for it at the Merch Table soon.

He asked how they compared and I told him not to ask so many questions. Anyway, it was time to get back to the rink for the next draw where Jen and I were schedule to be on 12th End Sports as the fifth end break interview and hop in the booth to call an end with the infamous Tuckinator. If you missed it, it went something like this.

Look at these goobers! #OlympicTrials #RoadToSochi pic.twitter.com/1sJnHGLUhG — Ryan Berdan (@ryanberdan) November 14, 2013

Good work @NoHoCurling & @cupcakecurler - survived the Tuckinator! pic.twitter.com/pRh5Y1dcTt — Marissa Messier (@dydirect) November 14, 2013

My stint in the booth was pretty unremarkable, and Jen was silent save for her "Go Team Bond Girls!" shout out at the end. If I get another chance, I'll do my best Greg Stink impression. In this draw, Shuster played Fenson in a game of mostly take-outs. The loser of which would play a tie breaker against George if he had won. George played McCormick and lost, setting up the Shuster/Fenson 3 game finals, while McCormick and George retired to the Holiday Inn bar.

Before we could join them, we still had some #FANdango action coming. First, I met Mark de Celle, author of How Fargo of You. We had a nice conversation on the effects of globalization on Fargo, the changing nature of social interactions among its citizens, and the way technology has allowed us to be anywhere we want (Fargo for him, Scotland for me).

Mark, Dave Peck, Jen, and myself.

We probably could have chatted for some time, but we had a schedule to keep and it was off to the brand new Fargo-Moorhead Curling Club. Marissa had arranged a game with some locals when their opponents had to forfeit the first night of league. The club had only been open for a week at that point, and it marked the second club I was able to break in after it just opened (Evergreen being the other).

Example of an in ice ad at the FM Curling Club.

The ice was great, the curlers even better! It had that new club smell and everything. Looking forward to making it out for a bonspiel one day. Even better, like Voltron, Team #FANDango was completed as Liza showed up with Flat Stonely. The fun could officially begin.

But damn, was I tired. Glad we only played six ends. Steve gave us some night life tips, but basically said the Holiday Inn is where it's at. He was not kidding. Live music, gambling, cheap drinks. It was a mix of locals and folks staying in the hotel. In this case curlers blowing off steam and football parents in town for the tournament. Then there were two guys doing a synchronized Footloose dance. And there may have been some twerking.

On that note, it was time to crash. Another two full days of Fargo madness to follow.

#TESN #Olympic Trials #Mark de Celle #JL Beers #Fargo-Moorhead Curling Club #Fargo Brewing Company #Fargo #FANDango

#FANDango In Fargo: The Arrival

I don't know where to begin with this trip to Fargo. It was a crazy six days and I still haven't fully recovered. Normally I'd be all like Jack from Lost and say, "We have to go back!" but then I realized we'd be in Fargo in December and there wouldn't be any more Olympic Trials going on. Luckily for me and Jen, Team Brown will be coming to Scotland to play in a few weeks, so I can get my fix and sleep in my own bed. I guess, let's start at the beginning. Actually, before the beginning. Terry Kolesar tweeted out a call for a caption, and I responded, kicking off this #FANdango thing right.

Then our journey began. Four a.m. local time as we woke up and left for the airport. Our KLM flight was scheduled to leave Glasgow at 6 a.m., a change in Amsterdam, then head to MSP before landing in Fargo at 8:30 p.m. local time. All in all, about a 20 hour journey. Except our first flight gets canceled and we were rebooked for a 9:30 a.m. flight. Normally, that could spell doom for the trip, but our landing time became 6:30 p.m. A full two hours earlier.

In honour of @12thEndSports's BA, I swapped our flights to British Airways. #FANDango! — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 13, 2013

Easiest layover in Chicago, on time planes, and first meal back in the United States is Qdoba.

Lets do this Fargo! — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 14, 2013

At the Fargo Airport

This trip was already starting off great, and we weren't even to the arena. Our gracious host Carmen was amazing, and it turned out she and Jen played each other in Utica at Club Nationals in 2009 and I was wearing my Utica CC hat. Perfect. We were greeted by Terry at the hotel and things were about ready to kick off.

Let the #FANdango begin! They're here for the dream trip to Fargo!! #OlympicTrials pic.twitter.com/M5nm4GeJkH — Terry Kolesar (@terry_usacurl) November 14, 2013

The hotel was decked out to welcome curlers and Carmen brought us USA balloons.

All the staff wore trials shirts. She thought I was going to SnapChat her photo.

And they had a giant curling stone in the lobby to go with this giant ham.

We finally got to the arena, were we quickly found our pals, Marissa, Chris, and Mr. Tiger himself, Tyler George hanging out in the bar. Didn't pay too much attention to that first draw though, just spent time catching up with everyone. It had been so long since we last saw Marissa. But we did get our first glimpse at the arena and the lay of the land for what was to come.

Stay tuned for Day 2!

#Photoshop #Olympic Trials #Fargo #FANDango

Olympic Trials Preview

The US Curling Olympic Trials start today in Fargo. You may have heard about this from me before. They'll be streaming all week, thanks to the guys at T.E.S.N. and NBC Sports Network will pick up the finals. You can see the schedule in the handy calendar link up top. I'm really impressed with the set-up the T.E.S.N guys have, they've come a long way.

Post by 12th End Sports Network.

We're going to get to watch pretty top-notch web streaming coverage for the entire week. Announcers, multiple angles, pre-game shows, side line reporters. The whole shebang. The only thing left is where to gamble on the matches.

Can you place a bet in #Vegas on a #curling team at the US Olympic trials? #fargo — SKIP (@commongoodcurl) November 9, 2013

Highly doubtful, seeing as Las Vegans only recently got a taste of curling. There are odds available, courtesy of Willy over on the CurlingZone forums. Here's what he laid out:

Men:

Fenson 2-1 McCormick 5-2 Shuster 5-2 George 3-2 Clark 7-2

Women:

Brown 3-5 Pottinger 8-5 Potter 7-2 George 5-1

Click through for his thoughts, or check out the Full Granite Jacket Tumblr for a good breakdown of the teams. This is a tough field to call. You can make a case for any of the men's teams to win. Fenson is the defacto favorite because of his experience (read: medal). If this were real betting, that line would have changed a dozen times. Why not put money on Clark at those odds if he's just as likely to win it as anyone else? My guess would be that the McCormick line would get bigger, and he'd get more late money coming in. You know, if you could gamble on it. As for my pick, I have no idea. The women are close, but I think it will come down to Brown and Pottinger. Just too much experience between the two teams and they've both been playing really well as of late. Tell me who you'd bet on in the comments. USA Curling is primed to take another leap in popularity after the Olympics, and the buzz is already building around the world!

@augnuut95 upcoming olympic curling trials being held in Fargo. Jump on the band wagon now. — momnuut (@BethNuut) November 8, 2013

La carrera olímpica de EEUU arranca en Fargo http://t.co/HhqjZH0h4K #curling #trials — Hammer Spain (@HammerSpain) November 10, 2013

Trials Norte- Americanos! http://t.co/dbLbggK8E8 — Blog Curling Brasil (@curlingblogbra) November 10, 2013

As a competitor, you gotta be pretty fired up to be playing this weekend. These athletes have been training hard for the past three years to get to this moment. This is your oppurtinity to make your mark.

@ccpotter good luck in Fargo! Watching your team in 2006 is how I got started #curling. — Joe Mecca (@jfmecca) November 7, 2013

There was a time when I never thought I'd spend a week in Fargo in November. Couldn't be happier about it now. #curling #roadtosochi — Dean Gemmell (@DeanGemmell) November 9, 2013

today I completed my last 5:30AM work out of a four month training plan! feels awesome #curling #olympictrials — Monica Walker (@monwalkcurl) November 8, 2013

Today's the day! Ready for a great time in Fargo! — Courtney George (@courtneycgeorge) November 9, 2013

My number one fan will be in Fargo! Can't wait for some snuggle time! pic.twitter.com/vBgTYHzHoo — Jessica Schultz (@Jess_Curls) November 9, 2013

@followtheheater #peopleofwalmart #noclue #curling #roadtosochi pic.twitter.com/hQvy0Um8mc — Martin Sather (@MartinSather) November 9, 2013

I think I found Team McCormick's theme song for the week. I hope Martin Sather brought his sax to play it in the arena.

The Road To Sochi is a tough one, and you have to stay sharp, focused and have a little bit of good fortune.

So I left my Olympic ring in the bathroom of a rest stop. Heart is in my stomach. Praying a good person found it and turned it in. #bummed — chris plys (@chrisplys) November 10, 2013

To whoever left my ring with a note that says "I hope this finds you" - thank you. I wish I knew who you were. Means a lot. #minnesotanice — chris plys (@chrisplys) November 10, 2013

Ralph Lauren is once again the official outfitter of Team USA for the Olympics, but I think they're pushing their branding a little too aggressively for my tastes.

Got the new uni's. pic.twitter.com/LrMcX65ErN — Joe Polo (@joepolo1) November 9, 2013

Our Hollywood Curling contingent is stoked to be in Fargo for the trials. So many friends to root for and good times to be had. I think the Holiday Inn will treat us just right.

Fargo-bound in one week to watch some @USCurlingTrials action. And perfect a new accent. And see a moose. — Marissa Messier (@dydirect) November 5, 2013

Going to be in #Fargo w/ @dydirect, @colanderland, @curlgurl82 & @cupcakecurler. Need recommendations for high tea. — Matt (@NoHoCurling) November 5, 2013

Practicing for #Fargo. #OlympicTrials #curling pic.twitter.com/attiKoImjt — Marissa Messier (@dydirect) November 8, 2013

Is it bad that I've already started packing for the #Curling trials in #Fargo? I hope not. #soexcited #cantwait — chris olander (@colanderland) November 7, 2013

All productivity has gone completely out the window. Now, all I can think about is #Fargo shenanigans in 1 week! #OlympicTrials #FANdango — LizaBeres (@curlgurl82) November 8, 2013

@NoHoCurling @JeppsonsMalort there's a bottle in my bag ready to go! — Derek Benson (@dbenson55) November 8, 2013

Thank you to the @HolidayInnFargo for the amazing opening social they put on tonight! You definitely know how to put on a party! — 2014 Curling Trials (@USCurlingTrials) November 10, 2013

Are these regulation size curling stones? Find this and you've found the host hotel. #OlympicTrials #fargo pic.twitter.com/sJA4TmTzxn — Terry Kolesar (@terry_usacurl) November 7, 2013

It's going to be a fun time. But I think the absolute coolest thing we'll see is our pal Jerome Larson getting inducted into the USA Curling Hall of Fame! Couldn't be awarded to a better guy!

#twitter #Olympic Trials #Fargo #FANDango

Road To Sochi Goes Through Fargo

The USA Curling Olympic Trials start on Sunday. Nine of America's best teams are going head to head to head to head to head to be Team USA. The women will go direct Sochi, while the men have a pit stop in Germany for the Olympic Qualifying Event.

You can watch the stream of the round robin on USACurl.org and the finals on NBC Sports Network. Or even better, you can watch it live, in Fargo and hang with VIPs*. And by VIPs I mean the Hollywood Curling Gang and me since I won the FANDango contest! You can check out my entry. The official video included a montage of photoshops set to the iCarly theme song which made up for me using a clip of Jamie Haskell and calling her Cassie. I claimed stunt double, and when that didn't work I claimed creative license. Then I started singing the iCarly theme song and everyone just kind of left me alone. Anyway, this is what I won:

5-day, 4-night* Fargo-esque VIP experience for two includes:

Round-trip airfare to and from winner’s hometown and Minneapolis. Upon arrival in Minneapolis you will be driven to Fargo, accompanied by 2010 Olympian John Benton, whom you can direct all of your curling questions to!

Ground transportation to-from airport, and throughout the VIP experience in Fargo

4 nights’ accommodations and breakfast (double occupancy) at the headquarters hotel, the Holiday Inn Fargo

Credentials and VIP seating for winner and guest for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team Trials

Meet-and-greet with competitors in the Trials, including current Olympians

On-ice experience on the Olympic Trials ice (on the Fifth Man sheet)

$100 shopping spree at Scheels Sports flagship store in Fargo

Photo opps with the famed woodchipper from the movie “Fargo” (located at the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor’s Center)

Oh, but that's not it! You also get:

Tour Fargo Brewing Company and taste the new Stone's Throw Scottish Ale* (must be 21 or older)

Free DVDs of the movies Fandango, Men with Brooms, and Fargo

Souvenir USA Curling apparel, plus authentic Fargo winter earflap hats

Sit in the USA Curling webstreaming booth and call an end of one game of the Trials action with on-air personality Ben Tucker

Have a picture of your face installed under the ice of the Fifth Man sheet at Scheels Arena

Behind-the-scenes at the Trials with USA Curling ice technicians

Personal Fargo tour with local personalities

Personal workout session at the Fargo Family Wellness Center with 3-time NCAA wrestling champion Steve Saxlund

Curling at the Fargo-Moorhead Curling Club

Tour of the Fargo Air Museum

Meet and greet with “How Fargo of You” author, and receive autographed copies of the book

Private screening of Fargo in the historic Fargo Theater.

So yeah, that's pretty cool, despite the shade the CurlingZone commenters were throwing at it. Flights are booked, but it doesn't look like I'm getting that drive with John Benton. Just as well, he'd probably end up murdering me after the 100th time I ask to go to Pancakes House. I'm excited to visit Fargo and stay at the Holiday Inn. I just hope North Dakota loves me as much as South Dakota.

@mbgsfv That was a sad day indeed :) We love your sense of humor! — Holiday Inn-Rushmore (@RushmorePlazaHI) August 1, 2013

Competition starts up on Sunday, and the ice technicians have been working hard, getting the arena into championship shape. The ice is in and looks great.

Things are starting to take shape in Fargo! #roadtosochi #OlympicTrials pic.twitter.com/97WlNwBMtr — Terry Kolesar (@terry_usacurl) November 7, 2013

Specifically, the Fifth Man sheet is looking extra classy.

The Road to Sochi goes right over their faces! Liza and Sue, my SoCal pals who are also die hard fans. #FANDango! So follow along on Twitter and Facebook as I document this crazy journey, including the awesome beer, the woodchipper, and my wrestling experience.

@terry_usacurl @NoHoCurling Awesome! Wish I taught him a single leg takedown or a fireman's carry before he left for Scotland. — Richard Cruz (@CaStateCurler) November 4, 2013

And the curling too, I guess. *Note, the I in VIP does not mean "important."

#Photoshop #Olympic Trials #Fargo #FANDango

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