The World's Most Disappointing Sport?

Those of you who have been following my blog for years will know that I get excited when the Winter Olympics come around.  It's the only time every four years that I can watch curling on television.

Lots of people don't understand the game.  The ones who say curling isn't a "real" sport probably wouldn't say the same about baseball.  But there's about as much physical activity in both games--short bursts.  Curling also requires a great deal of strategy which has led to its nickname "chess on ice."   Curling is indeed a sport, and a fascinating and exciting one at that.

Admittedly, my interest in curling is myopic compared to the game's history since its origins in Scotland 500 years ago, and my scope has been limited to the Olympic games.  Maybe that's why I've been so disappointed with what I've seen so far this year from Team USA.

The women have been looking better the past two days.  Their record now is 2-3 in round-robin play.  The men are a different story.  They lost their first four games because US skip John Shuster, lead for the 2006 bronze-winning team, couldn't follow through on his final shots.  Thankfully, with a change in shooting positions they too have won their last two games.

I'm also utterly disgusted with the USA Curling Association's latest source of revenue:  condoms.  Let me be clear:  I am all for reducing the scourge of AIDS in the world.  The problem with this situation is two-fold.  First, it perpetuates the conventional wisdom that condoms are an effective measure in reducing AIDS (not true--one of the many problems with condoms and something we can discuss later in a more serious post).  Second, the USA Curling Association is getting half of the profits.  So they're exploiting the complacency and ignorance mentioned in the press release to push a questionable "preventative" measure and profit from a serious disease in order to advance their otherwise noble sport.

Regardless of these blemishes, curling is still worth your time.  You can't appreciate the game by researching it on Wikipedia; you really need to watch it (if you have cable).  And you've only got a week left.

US Gets Bronze from Granite

Boy I hope you saw the men's bronze curling match today. What a game! The US men edged out Great Britain to capture the medal. Much more exciting than that figure skating crap. This should help put curling on the map in the US.

And if anyone is still skeptical as to whether curling has achieved enormous popularity, those doubts were removed when a streaker ran across the ice during the sixth end. Because everybody knows its not a real sport until some naked, fat, middle-aged guy interrupts play.

And thus concludes my obsessive discussion of curling. That is until I join Denver's curling club....

So I realize my discussion of curling is teetering the line of obsession. But this great sport is a sensation sweeping the globe and capturing the hearts and minds of millions. And I'm pretty sure that's not a hyperbole.

My evidence: Chatted with Brother last night who said that the Olympic games he and his roommates have been mainly watching are curling; Sarah has introduced it to her roommate (see Tuesday, February 14, 2006's comments); and Lacy has relayed that Molly Dietz shares my enthusiasm.

I've checked out the US Curling Association's website and found clubs in Colorado Springs and Denver. That's a bit of a jaunt for me to participate with any kind of regularity. Was also curious if there were any clubs in Iowa, but the USCA doesn't list any. So I Googled it yesterday and found this article from the Cedar Falls High School newspaper about some seniors guys trying to raise interest in the sport. If I were still at UNI, I would be right there with them them.

It will begin with the youth, my friends.

Cowboy Brad informed me this morning that Dad has won the monthly Cowboy Brad autographed CD contest on the offical Cowboy Brad website. I assure you that I in no way influenced the outcome of this contest.

Looking forward to the end of my work week tomorrow. Will probably spend my couple days off cleaning house, reading, and, of course, watching curling--chess on ice, but actually exciting to watch. And an important programming note: In addition to coverage in the afternoons on CNBC, you can also see curling on USA in the early morning hours, sometime after midnight, so set your VCRs.

The past couple days the weather has been beautiful, but even so I'm getting cabin fever. It doesn't help that it's supposed to snow on and off the next few days.

Maybe I could use a mini vacation to Denver or something.

The Winter Olympics begin this weekend. I've been waiting four years for them, not because I love all the events, or even watch most of the coverage. But it was four years ago that I accidently discovered the greatest winter sport ever created by humans: curling.

I know my sister shares my excitement for this sport, where a team slides rocks down an ice alley, propelling it by melting and refreezing the ice with brooms. Now I'm going to spread the word. As far as I can tell, the curling events will be broadcast during the afternoons on CNBC starting next Monday.

You know you want to check this out.