Now that we're in the depths of winter (although the 40-degree weather in New York this past weekend was surprisingly good), I usually hunker down and hope that I don't get SAD. But there's one thing that I am looking forward to: the Olympics.
The 2010 Olympics will be in Vancouver this year, and they start Feb. 12. I will admit that I really love the summer Olympics, with the swimming and diving (when I was 9, I had hoped to compete in the 200-meter freestyle swimming event, but alas, I never made it), but the winter Olympics bring us the skating (figure and speed, love them both) and my personal favorite . . . curling.
Yes, curling. I discovered this odd sport through the Olympics several years ago and now have this fascination with it. Do I know the rules? No. But I can figure it out: a guy slides a big rock down the ice, two other guys sweep the ice in front of
it so it moves better, and it has to go into a sort of target area and preferably push another team's rock out of the way. Is it exciting? Not exactly. But it's so odd that I find it intriguing, and I usually end up rooting for one team or another. I did find this
website that explains the basics, and
this is the site for the US Curling Team.
Stephen Colbert even tried out for the US Curling Team on a recent episode, and because I can't embed it, here's the link.
Louise Penny actually had a woman murdered during a curling match in her book A FATAL GRACE, proving that perhaps curling may someday be mainstream. Or not.
So if you get tired of watching the figure skating or the bobsledding, go
here and see when there's a little curling action taking place at the Olympics.
What's your favorite winter Olympic sport?
Karen
Do you know if that snowboarder who was injured is going to be able to compete. I heard the story on NPR and can't remember his name to google it. So tragic.
I like the ski jumping.
Posted by: Patti Abbott | January 20, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Napping.
Posted by: David Terrenoire | January 20, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Patti - it was Kevin Pearce. He is still in the hospital. They have been tight on the details, but the head injury sounds like it was pretty severe and that there will be lasting damage. Very sad because by all accounts he is a very good kid.
Posted by: Jeff Shelby | January 20, 2010 at 11:46 AM
I too love curling, and also love to watch the bobsled and luge. There's a big curling club up here in Belfast, which is about an hour's drive away, and I'd love to go see a game sometime.
Posted by: Clair Lamb | January 20, 2010 at 01:01 PM
Luge, figure skating and ski jump. David, napping seems to me to be more of a year-round kind of sport.
Posted by: AlisonGaylin | January 20, 2010 at 08:18 PM
Winter Olympics = pretend olympics.
I say they should do all the summer sports ... but in the snow.
VG
Posted by: Victor Gischler | January 21, 2010 at 07:35 AM
Stupid typepad didn't post my comment yesterday.
I like the biathalon - that's where they ski and shoot, right? Very James Bondish :)
Posted by: Lori Armstrong | January 21, 2010 at 07:51 AM
One of my friends was on a state championship curling team in Wisconsin. She did the sweeping part. For some reason, it's really big up there. Probably because it's cold and they have nothing else to do.
Personally I like the skiing, especially the Super G. Though has anyone else noticed that the winter games haven't been hyped at all this year...
Posted by: Chris Rhatigan | January 21, 2010 at 03:27 PM
You know what else is great about curling? Anyone can do it, and in Canada, we have bonspiels, where any Joe or Sally Schmoo will get out and curl. Or at least throw rocks and drink beer. You've got to love a sport where you can hold a beer and play.
Go Canada! (the winter Olympics are really our only chance!)
Posted by: raidergirl3 | January 24, 2010 at 06:31 PM