Well, so far we seem to be doing really, really well in curling — a sport where you get to throw rocks into a house. Do we Canadians suffer from some deep-seated hitherto unknown anxiety disorder?
Actually maybe it’s not so much Canadians as us Sea-to-Sky denizens that seem to be suffering from a severe case of the jitters. Here we have the biggest and bestest mountain right smack in our own backyard and our Canadian boys and girls are all over it as if they’ve never seen it before. Harsh? Yes, maybe, but only in proportion to the buildup we received in the run-up to these Games.
Is Canada too big relative to its population? Let’s face it, if you’re an Austrian or a Swiss your country may be tiny compared to Canada but wherever you turn there is another mountain staring you in the face. No wonder they’ve got some serious skiers coming from over there.
Strangely enough, we seem to be doing very well in the “cool” sports. Anything to do with a snowboard really, or skied on a short but intense course. Does a long history and the accompanying depth in focus and training associated with it make the difference for the more classical downhill events, and if so where do Lindsey Vonn and Julia Manusco fit in?
I don’t know about you but so far I am happy with the ice results — who knew Canadians could skate really fast? Marianne St-Gelais, Christine Nesbitt, Kristina Groves are all names to be reckoned with. In the ladies 1,500 metre speed skating event Kristina finished just 0.25 of a second behind the eventual winner Ireen Wust from Holland. Being Dutch-Canadian and all that could I have asked for a better finish? Okay maybe Kristina first and Ireen second but hey, I’ll take it either way.
Of course, let’s not forget about curling. It’s an ice sport as well and the way it’s shaping up right now Canada is kicking some serious butt. As I write this, every set but one played by either the men or the women have been wins. The only loss was the women’s round against China last Sunday (Feb. 21).
Maybe I could just suggest one little addition to the sport that would make it so much more interesting to watch. How about ice hockey skates on the skips and the sweepers? If nothing else it would speed up the game. Just a suggestion, mind you.
Talking about ice hockey skates. What’s up? Okay I am not touching the men’s ice hockey saga with a ten-foot pole — I gotta live in this town after all. But I believe the boys have their work cut out for them. You, living in the future, will know more. By the time you read this are we in or out?
The ladies of course are in — make sure and watch them today (Feb. 25) at 3:30 p.m.
Yes I know there is one more ice sport and I am going to say only one thing: Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir — need I say more? Twenty and 22 years old from Ontario, six points ahead of the next silver couple, Canada’s first gold in ice dancing, a future as bright as the sun. A small guess here — you’re going to hear these names a lot in the following weeks and months.
