More From Curling
There is a small contingent of very enthusiastic U.S. curling fans here at Pinerolo Palaghlaccio. One woman has a hat shaped like a curling stone. They're here to cheer on the Minnesotans, who shocked the world by knocking off defending gold medalist Norway this morning, 11-5. The fans went nuts.
But security in the curling venue will not permit the American journalists to cross over from the media zone to the spectator zone. The first explanation I got was that I didn't have a ticket. There are hundreds of empty seats. I pointed this out to the guard, who said the ticket holders could arrive at any moment. (Probably 150 spectators were in their seats when the first matches started this morning, but more kept arriving, and they did make a fair amount of noise, although there are still plenty of empties.)
The second explanation was that it could be a security risk if spectators and journalists could enter each other's zone. I tried to explain that, to the contrary, journalists and their readers get along ever so much better when they spend time with each other, especially in chilly ice rinks, but they said it was impossible.
At one point, the American fans started singing, "Jeepers creepers, where'd you get those peepers," which I don't believe I've ever before heard at a sporting event.
Today's goal, by the way, is to tease the curling items out throughout the day, so by the time the Kiwis return for their evening match with Great Britain (7 p.m. Italian time, 1 p.m. East Coast time), you will all be glued to your computer screens, breathless with anticipation, hitting refresh after each "end" to find out what is happening.
Oh, one more quick tease: remember Sean Becker, the New Zealand sheep and deer farmer and the Curling Kiwis' skip? Tonight he'll face British skip David Murdoch, a farmer and agricultural contractor who, I've heard, also happens to be a sheep farmer. I asked Becker whether there was something in sheep farming that particularly contributes to curling skill.
"It's a lifestyle, and curling seems to fit in well," Sean said.
Oh, and several of the Kiwi Curlers bought tickets to see the Canadian women's hockey team last night, figuring they should enjoy their Olympic experience. While there, they apparently met blog reader and CBC employee Ben, who calls them "too much fun." At least one of the Kiwi Curlers stayed home and read the blog himself, although he didn't post any comments. They will all be asked to provide guest commentary at some point. World Series champion and New Zealand third Hans Frauenlob also claims to know many of the words to "Hail to the Redskins."
They really do have a great story, which I will continue to dole out throughout the day.
By Dan Steinberg |
February 13, 2006; 10:59 AM ET
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Posted by: Recovering journalist & former olympic media volunteer | February 13, 2006 11:25 AM
Hmm. Whomever writes the headlines for the post home page needs to do some fact checking. It says "Kiwi Debut". Actually, a Kiwi was the first southern hemispherical to win a winter olympic medal, Annaleise Coberger, silver in the women's slalom in Albertville.
Still, I think I'd rather hang with the Kiwi Curling Team than the mouthy Chad Hedrick.
Posted by: Chris J | February 13, 2006 11:27 AM
Nice placement on the front page of Washingtonpost.com. Now you will have a much wider readership than just the Hatchet. After a little prodding from Jake we started reading, and we all enjoy the blog. Keep it up.
Posted by: Kyle Spector | February 13, 2006 01:05 PM
Addendum:
The Yank cheering section seems to have changed the last line of the Jeepers/Peepers chant to: "Where'd you get those thighs".
Ciao.
curlnews.blogspot.com
Posted by: thecurlingnews.com | February 13, 2006 03:04 PM
Please, specify gender when you are commenting about the curling teams. Both the men & women are playing today. Although, with your reference to a shocking win I should have known it was the men's team, the women are so much stronger as a team.
Posted by: Cindy W | February 13, 2006 03:39 PM
HELP!!!I am desperately seeking one of the hats I saw on the Olympics that was shaped like a curling stone. Anyone knowing where I can get one of these please write me at Mahitable@hotmail.com. Thanx to all
Posted by: jessica h. | March 14, 2006 12:22 PM
HELP!!! I am seeking a hat as mentioned in this story
Posted by: p.k. | March 17, 2006 09:43 AM
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Open up your media guide. For past Olympics, there's been a passage saying that media have the tacit right to any unoccupied seat at a venue.
This has been especially useful for press photographers, but also works for writers.
And it is one way: a well-managed venue should evict fans from the press areas.
If you have any problems, find and contact the venue manager--including the photo manager.