Innocuous In Innisfil Has Moved

Good Morning #Canada
This past weekend we were in Toronto celebrating our granddaughter's 10th birthday (they grow up so fast...) and while consuming homemade cake we were discussing the recently completed #Olympics. The controversy in the #Curling competition came up and my son-in-law mentioned it was like another Broomgate.
I had forgotten about Broomgate which is understandable because I've watched about 8 minutes of curling in my 6+ decades on the planet. Broomgate was a technological leap in the sport of curling that came to the attention of non-curlers, 99.9% of the world's population, during the 2015–16 season. New brush head technologies from a new company caused an uproar as sweepers gained far more control over a sliding chunk of granite. Traditionalists cried foul, or whatever they yell after tossing their stones. It resulted in a World Curling Federation summit to regulate and standardize brushes in the sport.

#CanadaIsAwesome #Broomgate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broomgate

Broomgate - Wikipedia

Mar 5 at 1:17pmWeb
Show threadInnocuous In Innisfil Has MovedMar 5

If you are really interested and excited about Broomgate you should perhaps think about therapy. But #CBC has a 6-part podcast that you can listen to in case you want to sink deeper into the subject matter.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-podcasts/1427-broomgate-a-curling-scandal/episode/16056829-introducing-broomgate-a-curling-scandal

Introducing Broomgate: A Curling Scandal | Broomgate: A Curling Scandal | CBC Podcasts | CBC Listen

A six-part series that tells the never-before-told story of how a broom almost killed curling. Featuring interviews with some of the biggest names in curling — and the men behind the infamous broom. Releasing May 6, 2024.

CBC Listen
Show threadReayMar 5

@paulbusch Curling fan here.

May I also recommend you watch Men With Brooms if you haven’t already?

You’d be forgiven for missing all of the legit curling names who make cameos throughout — I couldn’t name or spot one, myself, but it was pointed out to me by a longer time curler/curling fan than me — but that small FYI aside, it’s a good, fun movie (albeit notably too risqué for the little one).

Show threadInnocuous In Innisfil Has MovedMar 5

@reay
My wife recently suggested that I join the curling club nearby because I would likely enjoy it.

Me: Why?

Her: Because you played hockey...

Me: ....

Show threadReayMar 5

@paulbusch 😂

Yeah, not a 1:1 transition, for sure.

As you may have already picked up, though, curling — at least at a high level, past the likes of us just trying to keep our balance throwing or sweeping and hoping we get the rock all the way down the sheet, let alone anywhere near where the skip calls it — is a genuinely engaging sport where ability and planning both come into play.

It’s a bit like chess on ice, in that both sides try to progressively set themselves up with where they put their ‘pieces’ for a win at each end. You can use guards to your advantage, but so can your opponent. And any opening left can have huge impacts on the outcome if the other team has the skill to utilize it.

It’s not players moving all the time like in hockey, but top teams genuinely do work out to stay in good shape. Try sweeping a couple of rocks and you’ll soon understand why.

Oh, and for better or worse there’s often drinking involved, particularly at tournaments where you may have to sit out a game or two between when you’re out there playing. Winners typically buy their respective equal on the other team a drink after each game.

Show threadHamish BuchananMar 5

Or perhaps more like bocce, but with much heavier pieces — plus the intervention of the sweepers.

@reay @paulbusch

Show threadMark Connolly moved to @[email protected]Mar 5
@reay @paulbusch I love that movie! It’s imperfect, but so much fun 😀❤️