Chasing Gold. The Road to Vancouver

Transcription

1 Chasing Gold Your contact: Terry Kolesar Director of Communications USA Curling , Ext (cell) Inside: Olympic Preview...P. 4 Athlete Profiles..Pgs Paralympic Preview..P. 24 Debbie McCormick, skip, Team USA, photographed by Getty Images The Road to Vancouver

2 Pre-Vancouver Competition Schedule...3 Olympic Competition Schedule Olympic Winter Games...5 Team USA Women Team USA Men Team Leader...20 A Look Back at Torino...21 History of Olympic Winter Games...22 Thank you to our sponsors: Page 2

3 Pre-Olympic competition & event schedule Camps: Team USAMen May 27-31, Green Bay, Wis. June 4-7, Green Bay, Wis. June 18-21, Green Bay, Wis. July 9-12, Green Bay, Wis. July 15-19, Park City, Utah July 30-Aug. 2, Green Bay, Wis. Aug. 6-9, Green Bay, Wis. Dec , Green Bay or Duluth, Minn. Other events: Sept. 9-11, U.S. Olympic Committee Media Summit, Chicago (John Shuster only) Competitions: Aug , Zurich, Switzerland, training & competition Sept , AMJ Campbell Shorty Jenkins Classic, Brockville, Ontario Sept , Oslo Cup, Oslo Norway Oct. 1-5, Swiss Cup, Basel, Switzerland Oct , Masters Grand Slam, Toronto, Ontario Oct. 29-Nov. 1, Cactus Pheasant Classic, Brooks, Alberta Nov , Sun Life Financial, Brantford, Ontario Dec. 3-6, Korbel Curling Classic, Madison, Wisconsin Dec , Eveleth Cashspiel, Eveleth, Minn. Jan. 6-10, The National Grand Slam, Guelph, Ontario Jan , BDO Grand Slam, Winnipeg, Manitoba Feb. 6, arrive in Vancouver for 2010 Olympic Winter Games Feb , Olympic competition Visit the team website at Camps: Team USAWomen May 27-31, Green Bay, Wis. June 4-7, Green Bay, Wis. June 18-21, Green Bay, Wis. July 9-12, Green Bay, Wis. July 17-19, Green Bay, Wis. July 30-Aug. 2, Green Bay, Wis. Aug. 6-9, Green Bay, Wis. Dec , Green Bay or Madison, Wis. Other events: Sept. 9-11, U.S. Olympic Committee Media Summit, Chicago (Debbie McCormick only) Competitions: Aug , Zurich, Switzerland, training & competition Sept , AMJ Campbell Shorty Jenkins Classic, Brockville, Ontario Sept , Bank of America Schmirler Classic, Regina, Saskatchewan Oct. 9-11, RE/MAX Masters, Basel, Switzerland Oct , Grasshopper Women s Masters, Zurich, Switzerland Nov. 6-8, OVCA Fall Classic, Kemptville, Ontario Nov , Sun Life Financial, Brantford, Ontario Dec. 3-6, Korbel Curling Classic, Madison, Wis. Jan. 5-12, Training in Lucern, Switzerland, and International Bernese Ladies Cup, Bern, Switzerland Jan , Glynhill Ladies International, Glasgow, Scotland Feb. 6, arrive in Vancouver for 2010 Olympic Winter Games Feb , Olympic competition Page 3

4 Game schedule 2010 Olympic Games 2010 Olympic Winter Games Draw schedule, Feb , Vancouver, B.C. Men (specific Team USA draw schedule not available at press time) All times local Pacific Time (PT) 2/16: USA v. Germany, 9 a.m.; USA v. Norway, 2 p.m. 2/17: USA v. Switzerland, 2 p.m. 2/18: USA v. Denmark, 9 a.m. 2/19: USA v. France, 2 p.m. 2/20: USA v. Sweden, 9 a.m. 2/21: USA v. Great Britain, 2 p.m. 2/22: USA v. Canada, 9 a.m.; USA v. China, 7 p.m. 2/23: No USA men s draw 2/24: Tiebreakers (if needed), 9 a.m., noon & 7 p.m. 2/25: Semifinals at 2 p.m. 2/27: Bronze-medal match, 9 a.m.; gold-medal match, 3 p.m Olympic Winter Games Draw schedule, Feb , Vancouver, B.C. Women (specific Team USA draw schedule not available at press time) All times local Pacific Time (PT) 2/16: USA v. Japan, 2 p.m. 2/17: USA v. Germany, 9 a.m. 2/18: USA v. Denmark, 2 p.m. 2/19: USA v. Russia, 9 a.m. 2/20: USA v. Great Britain, 2 p.m. 2/21: USA v. Canada, 9 a.m., USA v. Sweden, 7 p.m. 2/22: No USA women s game 2/23: USA v. China, 9 a.m., USA v. Switzerland, 7 p.m. 2/24: Tiebreakers (if needed), 9 a.m., noon & 7 p.m. 2/25: Semifinals at 9 a.m. 2/26: Bronze-medal match, 9 a.m.; gold-medal match, 3 p.m. MENTop 10 qualify to 2010 Olympic Winter Games Rank Association Canada Scotland/Great Britain USA Germany Norway Switzerland France Denmark China Sweden Australia Finland Japan Czech Republic Korea Points Qualifying for Vancouver Rank Page 4 WOMENTop 10 qualify to 2010 Olympic Winter Games Association Canada China Denmark Sweden Switzerland USA Scotland/Great Britain Germany Russia Japan Italy Korea Czech Republic Norway Points

5 The Games of the XXI Olympic Winter Games will take place Feb , 2010, with an estimated 2,500 athletes from 85 countries. The first Olympic Winter Games were held in 1924 in Chamonix, France. Curling was featured in this event but would not be a medal sport again until 1998 in Nagano, Japan. About the curling competition: Ten men s and 10 women s teams will compete in a week-long round robin to determine the four semifinalists, who will then play for the medals. Defending champions: Sweden (women) and Canada (men) About the curling venue: The Vancouver Olympic Center has a capacity of 6,000 spectators and is located near Queen Elizabeth Park. Construction of the arena, which houses four sheets of curling ice, began in March 2007 and was completed in fall of The 2009 World Junior Championships were played here as a test event for the Olympics. USA s alternate, Chris Plys, played on that team, earning the bronze medal. TV coverage: NBC Universal Sports aired 12 hours of live coverage from the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling in February 2009 from the Broomfield Event Center in Broomfield, Colo., marking the first time curling was aired live in the U.S. outside of an Olympic Games. The coverage also was webstreamed via Universal Sports website. NBC s coverage of curling during the Olympic Games has greatly increased over the past three Olympics. Curling s exposure on NBC s networks during the 2006 Olympic Winter Games has helped further grow the sport across the United States from Southern California to Texas to Vermont. Much of the 80+ hours of U.S. curling programming from the 2006 Games appeared on CNBC. This was up from the 50-plus hours shown during the Salt Lake City Games in Weekday coverage of curling in the 5-8 p.m. ET time slot delivered an average of 876,000 viewers, 579 percent higher than CNBC s February 2005 average in the same time slot. Vancouver, British Columbia, is set to host the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Feb , The Vancouver Olympic Centre/Vancouver Paralympic Centre will be the site for curling and is set to be completed by Fall The venue will feature four ice sheets with space to fit about 6,000 spectators. Visit to learn more about the 2010 Olympic Games. Early reports from NBC indicate the network will air live coverage of the morning and afternoon games in Vancouver with the night draws being aired via tape-delay. Curling is the only sport that has received an increase in ratings from the 2002 to 2006 Olympic Games. Page 5

6 TEAM USA WOMEN Team USA (l-r): Debbie McCormick, Allison Pottinger, Nicole Joraanstad, Natalie Nicholson, Tracy Sachtjen, and Coach Wally Henry. Fast facts: Team McCormick has won the past four straight U.S. national titles a USA Curling record McCormick, Pottinger and Sachtjen won the first and only world gold medal for the women s curling program back in 2003 All five are former U.S. junior champions Coach Henry is a former champion as well. He won two U.S. men s titles in the 80s. Both Pottinger and Sachtjen have U.S. mixed national titles under their belts as well The only Olympian in the group, McCormick represented the U.S. at the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan, and 2002 in Salt Lake City. The only curling Olympic medal won was in 2006 when Pete Fenson s team won bronze The best finish for the women Page 6 was fourth in 2002 (McCormick was vice skip on that team) McCormick s husband proposed to her during the Nagano Olympics Pottinger, Nicholson and Sachtjen all are moms Pottinger s husband, Doug, won the men s national curling title in He competed at the 2010 Olympic Team Trials as well. McCormick and Pottinger were both born in Canada. McCormick moved as a young child while Pottinger lived there until she came to the U.S. for college, where she played softball at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Joraanstad, the youngster in the group, recently became engaged. Nicholson gave birth to her first child in 2008, a daughter, Stella.

7 DEBBIE MCCORMICK, SKIP Debbie McCormick Position: Skip Birthdate: Jan. 8, 1974 Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Currently resides: Rio, Wis. Occupation: Works for Home Depot Family: Married to Pete McCormick 2003 world champion Three-time Olympian (2010, 2002, 1998) 7-time U.S. national champion (2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2001, 1996; 4 most recently as skip) 4-time U.S. junior champion; two silvers and one bronze at World Juniors Has earned three medals at world championships (2003, gold; 2006, silver; 1996, silver) 2003 USA Curling Team of the Year 2003 and 2006 USA Curling Female Athlete of the Year Fun stuff: Favorite band: Counting Crows Favorites sports teams: Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers Pets: Two female Weimaraners (Ellie & Ava) Hobbies: Scrapbooking, kayaking, pheasant hunting with doggies and husband, Pete, bike riding Dreams of...being on the Price is Right Favorite TV shows: Game shows, What Not to Wear, The Deadliest Catch, sports (especially Andy Roddick) Favorite foods/drinks: Coffee, fruit smoothies, perogies, pizza, seafood, Mexican food, Japanese food, Chinese food, steak, red wine Probably one of the most well-known American curlers, Debbie is a fan favorite as she embraces the relationships she has formed over the years with people she s met throughout her career. A proven winner (McCormick, Pottinger and Sachtjen won the world title in 2003), Debbie is looking to finally get on the Olympic medal podium in Vancouver after finishing 4th in Salt Lake City in 2002 and 5th in Nagano, Japan, in Page 7

8 ALLISON POTTINGER, VICE SKIP Allison Pottinger Position: Vice skip Birthdate: July 5, 1973 Hometown: Brampton, Ontario Currently resides: Eden Prairie, Minn. Occupation: Marketing research analyst for General Mills Family: Married to Doug Pottinger, 2004 U.S. national men s curling champion; two daughters, Lauren & Kelsey Making first Olympic appearance 2003 world champion; silver medals in 2006, 1999, time U.S. national champion 1994 U.S. junior champion; silver medal at Junior Worlds 2008 USA Curling Female Athlete of the Year 2003 & 1999 USA Curling Team of the Year Fun stuff: Hobbies: Running, skiing, water-skiing Favorite TV shows: Grey s Anatomy, Private Practice Favorite vacation spot: Phuket, Thailand Favorite foods/drinks: Red wine, pizza, Diet Coke Allison is the team s strategist and longtime teammate of McCormick s. Together they ve won junior titles, women s titles, and a world championship in the two decades they ve curled with each other on and off. Page 8

9 NICOLE JORAANSTAD, SECOND Nicole Joraanstad Position: Second Birthdate: Nov. 10, 1980 Hometown: Seattle Currently resides: Madison, Wis. Occupation: Senior corporate recruiter for TDS Telecom Family: Engaged Making first Olympic appearance 6-time U.S. champion; winning silver at 2006 Worlds Two-time U.S. Junior national champion; winning bronze at 2000 World Juniors 2004 & 2000 USA Curling Team of the Year 2007 USA Curling Female Athlete of the Year Fun stuff: Hobbies: Working out, cooking, traveling Favorite TV shows: Brothers and Sisters, Lost, Girls Next Door, The Office, Private Practice Favorite vacation spot: Switzerland Favorite food/drink: Steak, Diet Coke Nicole brings a youthful edge to the American women s team and is the ultimate team organizer/manager. This team has played together since 2006 and Nicole organizes all flight arrangements and paperwork for competitions. A fitness fanatic, Nicole considers working out a hobby! Page 9

10 Natalie Nicholson Position: Lead Birthdate: March 10, 1976 Hometown: Bemidji, Minn. Occupation: Nurse practitioner Family: Married to John; one daughter, Stella Making first Olympic appearance 7-time U.S. national champion; earning silver medal at 2006 Worlds Two-time U.S. junior champion 2004, 1997 USA Curling Team of the Year 2009 USA Curling Female Athlete of the Year Natalie is the sparkplug of the team, adding an energy to the team while on the ice. At the 2009 Women s World Championship, she was the top-ranked athlete at the lead position. NATALIE NICHOLSON, LEAD Page 10

11 TRACY SACHTJEN, ALTERNATE Tracy Sachtjen Position: Alternate Birthdate: Feb. 20, 1969 Hometown: Lodi, Wis. Occupation: Events & sports coordinator with Lodi School District and YMCA Family: Married to Karl; two children, Sierra and Desmon 2003 world champion 5-time U.S. national champion 3-time U.S. junior national champion 1998 U.S. mixed champion 1989 USA Curling Female Athlete of the Year 2003 and 1999 USA Curling Team of the Year Competing in her first Olympic Games Fun stuff: Hobbies: Gardening, running, biking, kayaking, hiking, golfing, and any form of exercise Favorite vacation spots: Florida, anywhere with her family and a beach Favorite food: Mexican Favorite drink: Dark beer Volunteer work: Volunteers with kids groups in her community and cancer support groups Tracy also is a proven winner with multiple national and one world title on her resume. A longtime friend and teammate to McCormick, Tracy can easily jump in and play at any position at a high level based on her dedication to Page 11

12 WALLY HENRY, WOMEN S HEAD COACH Wally Henry Position: Women s team head coach Birthdate: May 5, 1947, in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba Hometown: Beaver Dam, Wis. Occupation: Retired Family: Two children, Debbie McCormick and Donnie Henry Has coached Team McCormick since 2003, earning gold medal with team in USA Curling Coach of the Year 2007 U.S. senior men s champion 2-time U.S. men s champion (two bronze medals at Worlds) Assistant coach at 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City Fun stuff: Hobbies: Camping, gardening, traveling, fishing Favorite TV shows: History Channel, Law & Order, CSI Favorite vacation spot: South 2007 World Senior bronze medalists, including Wally Henry (third from left) Page 12

13 TEAM USA MEN Team USA men (l-r) Chris Plys, John Benton, Jeff Isaacson, Jason Smith and John Shuster. Fast facts: Team Shuster won its first national title when it counted most the 2010 Olympic Team Trials Shuster is a four-time men s champion (3 titles as a member of Team Pete Fenson in 2003, 2005 and 2006) The only Olympian in the men s group, Shuster was a member of the 2006 Olympic team that won U.S. curling s first Olympic medal bronze as a member of Team Fenson Shuster, Smith, Isaacson and Plys are all former U.S. junior champions Shuster, Isaacson and Plys teamed up to win the gold medal at the 2007 Winter World University Games. This was the first and only medal ever won by the U.S. curling program at this event. Plys has won a U.S.-record 5 U.S. junior titles (last four in a row) and brought home the first world junior men s gold medal since 1984 in At age 21, Plys was the youngest skip in the field at the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The team jokingly refers to Benton as grandpa to reflect the age gap (Benton is 40 while the rest of the team and even the head coach are in their 20s). Page 13

14 JOHN SHUSTER, SKIP John Shuster Position: Skip Birthdate: Nov. 3, 1982 Hometown: Chisholm, Minn. Currently resides: Duluth, Minn. Occupation: Bar manager at Duluth Curling Club; also works on the grounds crew at golf course in Duluth 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Four-time U.S. men s national champion 2007 World University Games gold medalist 2004 U.S. junior champion 2006 U.S. Olympic Committee s Team of the Year 2006 USA Curling Team of the Year 2009 USA Curling Male Athlete of the Year Fun stuff: Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, wakeboarding, baseball, golf Pets: Two German short-haired pointers Favorite music: Country One beauty/grooming item he can t live without: A hat Favorite sports team: Minnesota Twins Favorite foods: Smoked fish, pizza, Buffalo chicken, steak, oven-fried pork chops Lucky charms: Family & long-sleeved Nike shirt from 2006 Olympic Games Known for being loud on the ice because of his passion for the sport and competitive streak, Shuster is a big-game player who enjoys the last shot for the win. A member of the first team to win an Olympic medal for U.S. curling, Shuster has dreamed of skipping a team at the Olympic Winter Games since he was a teenager. He rarely curls without a baseball cap on. Page 14

15 JASON SMITH, VICE SKIP Jason Smith Position: Vice skip Birthdate: Sept. 18, 1983 Hometown: Chisholm, Minn. Currently resides: Cape Coral, Fla U.S. men s national champion 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling champion 2005 U.S. Junior champion; finished fourth at World Juniors Bronze medalist, 2003 World Junior B Championships 2005 Junior Nationals All-Star Team Fun stuff: Other sports: Basketball, bowling, softball Hobbies: Playing cards, cribbage, pool, listening to music, going to the beach, hanging out with friends Favorite TV shows: Bones, CSI, Life, House Dreams of traveling to: Australia Favorite place in his backyard: The beach Favorite food: Sushi. A few years ago, I would have never even tried to eat it. Now, I absolutely love it. Jason can eat whatever he wants without gaining weight, as apparent in his 150- pound frame. Not a big fan of cooking, Jason says Anything that can be made in the microwave is for me. Favorite drink: Mountain Dew Jason is highly competitive and is the team s sparkplug on the ice. He excels at just about any sport he tries. Page 15

16 Jeff Isaacson Position: Second Birthdate: July 14, 1983 Hometown: Virginia, Minn. Currently resides: Gilbert, Minn. Occupation: Teacher 2007 World University Games gold medalist 2005 U.S. Junior champion; finished fourth at World Juniors Competing in third U.S. men s championship (finished as runner-up in 2002) 2005 Junior Nationals All-Star Team Fun stuff: Favorite vacation spots: Fort Meyers, Fla.; Las Vegas; Hawaii Hobbies: Playing cards, poker, cribbage, smear, four-wheeling, boating, swimming Favorite foods: Fish, pizza, seafood Jeff is a true student of the sport and studies game films all the times. He has an extensive library of curling film, which is not always easy to come by based on TV coverage over the years. While quiet and mild mannered, Jeff s knowledge of strategy and the sport makes him the professor of the team. JEFF ISAACSON, SECOND Page 16

17 John Benton Position: Lead Birthdate: June 23, 1969 Hometown: Afton, Minn. Currently resides: St. Michael, Minn. Occupation: Operating systems analyst with Fairview Health Services of Minnesota 2009 U.S. men s national champion 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling champion Fun stuff: Favorite TV shows: CSI, Top Chef, Heroes Favorite vacation spot: Grand Rapids, Minn. Favorite foods: Italian food, ribs Career plans/dreams: After leaving the IT industry, he d like to open a small restaurant Hobbies: Bass fishing, golf, computers, cooking Jokingly referred to as Grandpa by his teammates, John, at age 40, provides a calming presence for his 20-some-year-old teammates. He brings a quiet leadership based on his years of experience on the ice. JOHN BENTON, LEAD Page 17

18 Chris Plys Position: Alternate Birthdate: Aug. 13, 1987 Hometown: Duluth, Minn. Occupation: Works for family business 2008 World junior champion Five-time U.S. junior champion 2008 USA Curling Team of the Year 2007 World University Games gold medalist Competing in his first Olympic Trials and second national championship Fun stuff: Hobbies: Writing & listening to music, skateboarding, hockey Favorite foods: Pizza, chicken nuggets, Arizona iced teas Dream job: Musician Chris is the up-and-coming star of USA Curling based on his success at the junior level. He has won the past four (and five overall) U.S. junior titles and won gold at the world juniors in At 21 years old, Chris was the youngest skip in the field at the U.S Olympic Team Trials for Curling, finishing with a 3-6 record. He was added to Team Shuster as the alternate in time for the 2009 Men s World Championship. Chris comes from a large family and is the oldest child. He has many tattoos across his body and expresses himself through music. CHRIS PLYS, ALTERNATE Page 18

19 PHILL DROBNICK, MEN S HEAD COACH Phill Drobnick Position: Men s team head coach Birthdate: Oct. 8, 1980, in Virginia, Minn. Hometown: Duluth, Minn. Occupation: Probation officer with St. Louis County Coached the Chris Plys rink to world junior gold medal in 2008 and bronze in As an athlete, won the 2000 U.S. Junior Nationals and competed in four U.S. national championships 2009 & 2008 USA Curling Coach of the Year Fun stuff: Phill hails from the Iron Range of Minnesota, known as Hockey Town USA Hobbies: Golf, tennis Each year Phill and a friend travel the U.S. to attend Poison concerts Favorite TV shows: Seinfeld (his all-time favorite), Big Brother, The Hills (big fan of Laura Conrad!) Favorite vacation spot: Las Vegas Dreams of vacationing in...mexico and Haiti Favorite foods: Ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, pizza Page 19

20 MARK SWANDBY, TEAM LEADER Mark Swandby of Madison, Wis., has been selected as team leader for the men s and women s U.S. curling teams at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Feb , Swandby, 58, was selected from seven candidates and has plenty of curling leadership experience on and off the ice. He has served on the United States Curling Association s (USCA) Board of Directors since 1999 representing the Wisconsin region, holding the roles of vice president ( ) and president ( ) among many other duties. He currently is one of three USCA representatives to the World Curling Federation. He also served as co-team leader at last year s World Junior Curling Championships in Sweden. Swandby also is a two-time U.S. senior national champion (2005 and 2008), earning medals at both World Senior Curling Championships he played in. When not busy volunteering with curling, Swandby works as the departmental administrator for the Department of Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As Olympic team leader, Swandby will serve as the primary USCA contact and coordinator for the teams information, assist in managing team operations and logistics, manage accreditation of personnel, complete paperwork for the team, attend training camps to support the team and assist them in other capacities leading up to and during the Olympic Winter Games. Swandby Page 20

21 A look back at the historic 2006 Olympics Men s round robin standings: Finland 7-2 Canada 6-3 USA 6-3 Great Britain 6-3 Norway 5-4 Switzerland 5-4 Italy 4-5 Germany 3-6 Sweden 3-6 New Zealand 0-9 Semifinals: USA x 5 Canada x 11 Finland Great Britain Bronze-medal game: USA Great Britain Gold-medal game: Finland x x 4 Canada x x 10 Women s round robin standings: Sweden 7-2 Switzerland 7-2 Canada 6-3 Norway 6-3 Great Britain 5-4 Russia 5-4 Japan 4-5 USA 2-7 Denmark 2-7 Italy 1-8 Semifinals: Norway Sweden Switzerland Canada Bronze-medal game: Norway x x 5 Canada x x 11 Gold-medal game: Sweden Switzerland USA round robin games: USA 11, Norway 5 Finland 4, USA 3 USA 10, New Zealand 4 Italy 6, USA 5 USA 10, Sweden 6 USA 7, Switzerland 3 USA 8, Germany 5 USA 9, Great Britain 8 Canada 6, USA 3 USA round robin games: Norway 11, USA 6 Canada 11, USA 5 Japan 6, USA 5 USA 8, Denmark 3 Sweden 5, USA 4 Russia 8, USA 7 USA 11, Italy 3 Switzerland 9, USA 8 Great Britain 10, USA 4 Page 21

22 The Pete Fenson rink based out of Bemidji, Minn., won curling s first Olympic medal when the team defeated Great Britain to win the bronze medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. The women s team, led by Cassie Johnson, struggled in its opening games and finished eighth overall. Canada s Brad Gushue rink would capture the men s elusive gold medal defeating Finland, while Anette Norberg of Sweden added to its collection of medals defeating Switzerland for the gold. The first Olympic demonstration was in 1924, in Chamonix, France, where men s teams from England, France and Sweden competed. England won the gold, and Sweden the silver. Games at this time were 18 ends long versus 10 today. This event was most recently recognized as the first time curling was an Olympic medal sport. However, the sport would not be a medal sport again until the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Curling was next a demonstration sport in 1932, in Lake Placid, N.Y. Eight men s teams competedfour from Canada and four from the United States. The U.S. teams came from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan and New York. Canada won the round robin competition, taking 12 games to the USA s four. Games were 16 ends long. After a long absence, curling returned to the Olympics as an official demonstration in 1988, in Calgary, Canada. For the first time, a women s competition was included. Canada won the women s event, followed by Sweden and Norway. On the men s side, Norway took the gold, followed by Switzerland and Canada. (Bronze medals were awarded to the team that lost in the playoffs to the eventual champion.) The U.S. men s and women s teams both finished fourth. Curling was again part of the Olympic demonstration sport program in 1992, in Albertville, France. This time, Germany won the women s gold, followed by Norway and Canada. A bronze medal game was held, with Canada defeating Denmark. Switzerland took the men s championship, with Norway earning the silver medal and the USA defeating Canada for the bronze medal. The USA s team included Bud Somerville, Mike Strum, Bill Strum and Tim Somerville, all from Superior, Wis. (The U.S. women failed to earn a berth in the Olympic competition in 1992.) In Salt Lake City in 2002, curling was a medal sport on the Olympic program for the third time. The U.S. men, led by Tim Somerville, finished seventh, while the women s team, skipped by Kari Erickson, missed a bronze medal by just a few rocks. Curling was officially a demonstration sport three times, but there were also domestic exhibitions (host country participants only) in 1948 (St. Moritz, Switzerland) and 1964 (Innsbruck, Austria). Men Year Gold Skip Silver Bronze USA 2006 CAN Brad Gushue FIN USA NOR Pal Trulsen CAN SUI SUI Patrick Hurliman CAN NOR 4 *1992 SUI Urs Dick NOR USA 3 *1988 NOR Eigel Ramsfjell SUI CAN 4 *1932 CAN William Burns USA N/A ENG Col. Robertson-Aikman SWE FRA ** *denotes demonstration sport ** did not qualify for competition Women Year Gold Skip Silver Bronze USA 2006 SWE Anette Norberg SUI CAN GBR Rhona Martin SUI CAN CAN Sandra Schmirler DEN SWE 5 *1992 GER Andrea Schopp NOR CAN ** *1988 CAN Linda Moore SWE NOR 4 *denotes demonstration sport ** did not qualify for competition Page 22