Registered: Feb 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 900

http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Curling/...ing-Grand-Prix/

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Registered: Feb 2011
Location: Plymouth, MN
Posts: 159

What are they playing for?

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Registered: Mar 2009
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Viewers and the future of national broadcast curling.

And, perhaps, to show the Canadians they shouldn't have tossed them from the Continental Cup.

Pretty high stakes.

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613

I wish they had named it "Canada Can Take The Continental Cup And Stick It". We'll play on NBCSport...you can play on Rogers.

Does it sound like I'm bitter about the CCA mandated changes in the CCup? Good, because I am bitter. I hear they are coming back to Vegas next year. I hope they'll be doing that without the help of a single American.

Too bitter? Well, my bad knee doesn't allow for much curling so I guess I'm a Grumpy Old Man before my time. I don't mind neighborhood kids playing on my lawn, so I'll just tell Canucks to get off the ice.

Ben Tucker
Grumpy Old Man

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Registered: Nov 2007
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I can attest to the fact that Tuck is tolerant to yard play. I've pulled up to is house many times, only to find broken windows fron baseballs etc.

Don't give up on playing yet Ben, I've found shoes that should allow you to slide beyond the tee line, clear to the top of the house.

Last edited by mr. lucky on 12-03-14 at 10:24AM

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Registered: Jul 2013
Location: 216
Posts: 41

a bit off topic, but the Canada cup is airing live on ESPN 3 if anyone is interested

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Registered: Feb 2013
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Sour grapes folks. Like it or not, given the talent level of USA curlers in prior Canada Cup versus that of Canadian curlers that were not in prior cups, it is not hard to understand why sponsors wanted to change the format. And like it or not, the Grand Prix is not going to change that. Why would Canadian curling fans, or American curlers for that matter, want to watch Team New Zealand when they could watch Koe, McEwen, Morris, Jacobs, Howard, Gushue, etc.

Last edited by dbsdbs on 12-03-14 at 12:32PM

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Registered: Feb 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 900

quote:

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Originally posted by dbsdbs
Why would Canadian curling fans, or American curlers for that matter, want to watch Team New Zealand when they could watch Koe, McEwen, Morris, Jacobs, Howard, Gushue, etc.

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Registered: Mar 2009
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quote:

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Originally posted by dbsdbs
Sour grapes folks. Like it or not, given the talent level of USA curlers in prior Canada Cup versus that of Canadian curlers that were not in prior cups, it is not hard to understand why sponsors wanted to change the format. And like it or not, the Grand Prix is not going to change that. Why would Canadian curling fans, or American curlers for that matter, want to watch Team New Zealand when they could watch Koe, McEwen, Morris, Jacobs, Howard, Gushue, etc.

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: US - CT
Posts: 1431

The Canada Cup is strictly a Canadian event. The winner qualifies for the pre-trials.

How long have the Canadian ex-pats been in NZ? I know that Hugh has been in Australia for at least 20+ years.

Really interesting that ESPN3 has been showing all this curling. A sign of the future? Could there be curling on ESPN2 at some point? Is this a test?

JH

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Registered: Feb 2009
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 900

quote:

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Originally posted by jhcurl


How long have the Canadian ex-pats been in NZ? I know that Hugh has been in Australia for at least 20+ years.

Really interesting that ESPN3 has been showing all this curling. A sign of the future? Could there be curling on ESPN2 at some point? Is this a test?

JH

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Registered: Feb 2013
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Yep, I got my Cups mixed up. Not as many top Canadian rinks as I listed [from Canada Cup] but still the same story. Curling fans would rather watch them than the Americans. USA needs to play better to show they belong in future Continental Cups. Hope the Grand Prix is successful -- probably do not need top teams but still need to attract viewers somehow.

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Registered: Feb 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2668

Well it is silly to call it the Continental Cup when our American friends are no longer included. Last I checked, Canada is not the only country in North America. Watching some games last night in the Canada Cup, I think the Euros will have a very easy time of it this year.

Maybe President Obama should call PM Harper and offer to approve the Keystone Pipeline if the USA can participate in the Continental Cup

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Registered: Feb 2013
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quote:

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Originally posted by curlerbroad
Well it is silly to call it the Continental Cup when our American friends are no longer included. Last I checked, Canada is not the only country in North America.

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Last edited by dbsdbs on 12-04-14 at 12:31PM

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 1120

quote:

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Originally posted by dbsdbs


But Norway, Scotland, Sweden, etc are also from a different continent... so guess Continental Cup still works. Best curlers from continent of Europe and best curlers from continent of North America

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Registered: Mar 2009
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quote:

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Originally posted by dbsdbs


But Norway, Scotland, Sweden, etc are also from a different continent... so guess Continental Cup still works. Best curlers from continent of Europe and best curlers from continent of North America

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Registered: Feb 2013
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You may be right biterbar but I doubt that will be an issue in my lifetime

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: Selkirk
Posts: 140

If I was an American looking to see more curling on TV i would be excited by the prospect that the sport is getting more Tv coverage through this taped for later release series. But anyone that thinks the this series is something trend setting and unique needs to go back many a yr when CBC did the same thing. I believe Don Chevrier and Don Witman were hosts/ commentators. As far as bragging it is on NBC and the Slams are only on Sportsnet is no big deal because if you check the viewership the Sportnet broadcasts will likely be higher numbers.

But it is still a good thing that NBC is interested in doing something for curling in the USA...

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Registered: Apr 2013
Location: Brooklyn Park, MN
Posts: 33

I'm excited, not because American curling will be on subscription TV (I actually no longer subscribe to satellite TV and watch most of my sports and movies via internet streaming), but because Four Seasons CC is my home club. I played hookie (OK, I really used a 1/2 day of vacation) and went to watch the 2 PM draw this afternoon.

The US men were looking good to blank the 7th and start the 8th down by one with the hammer but Heath's hammer must've stuck around (I didn't see the shot but noticed Plys slamming his broom down on the ice after the end). The Chinese skip made a nice double with the hammer in the 8th to score 2 and win.

The US women were in trouble in the 6th but the Chinese skip was heavy on her draw to sit 3 with her first stone and it was swept out the back. Nina then made a nice double and the end was then blanked. US made some nice freezes in the 7th to force China to 1 but just couldn't make the draws in the 8th to give them a chance for 2 to tie.

Last edited by gonzobob on 12-04-14 at 08:57PM

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613

My Canadian friends need to forgive my jabs at the Continental Cup. I was just being a touch snarky when replying to the question of why we are hosting teams from the Pacific Rim and not Euros.

Gonzo might need to start out with Spoiler Alert, but I'm liking his post. I hope he calls in sick tomorrow and posts more with even more details. I had planned to be there myself, but (ironically) I am actually sick. Nothing serious. It just would have been cool to catch some of this and then keep going to Eau Claire for Mixed Doubles.

Ben Tucker

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
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OK, Terri is doing press releases...so no Spoiler Alert needed from Gonzo.

Drawing for the game instead of playing out the extra end??? I thought this was Made For TV? Ain't no better TV Curling than an extra end! I'm sure that they have a good reason or two kinda good reasons...but I hope they reconsider this if it becomes an annual affair...and I really hope it becomes and annual affair...sales of commercial timeslots will probably determine its future.

Ben Tucker

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Registered: Feb 2013
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Drawing for the game rather than playing an extra end sounds like a made-for-tv solution. Like the shootout in hockey and soccer, just completely change how the game has been played to determine a winner quickly so that the game fits in the tv time slot. Don't expect them to reconsider this one.

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Registered: Jun 2011
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At this rate they shouldnt even have the leads and seconds throw. Just pre place the rocks and fit the game into an hour. What a sham. Has anyone considered who is paying for all this?

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Registered: Feb 2013
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made for tv -- first mixed doubles and now this change to decide tie games. I am afraid we are stuck with these -- not good.

Last edited by dbsdbs on 12-05-14 at 07:25PM

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Registered: Feb 2014
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quote:

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Originally posted by CaptMorgan


The Canadian ex-pats hold NZ passports and have been there for 20 some odd years too.

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