Who's the Boss of curling rock stars?

Feb 12, 2008 04:30 AM

Chris Zelkovich

While rockers Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi may be closet curlers, they're not alone.
There's a pretty long list of those who might qualify along with Springsteen and Bon Jovi to be part of the new American curling reality show Rockstar Curling.
The brainchild of Toronto's mktgpartners Canada, the show is expected to air on Saturday afternoons on NBC leading up to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.
But if Springsteen and Bon Jovi, who reportedly have thrown rocks and held brooms a few times, aren't interested, there's a long list of celebrities who've hurried hard at one time or another, according to thecurlingnews.com. Actors Leslie Nielsen and Paul Gross were in the hack in the 2002 movie Men With Brooms, but don't qualify for our list because they're Canadians and there's nothing unusual about Canadians curling.
Country star Toby Keith is reportedly crazy about curling and gets in a game whenever his concert schedule allows.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw a few rocks in 2006 during a visit to Switzerland.
U.S. Olympians Picabo Street and Dan Jansen actually competed in a made-for-TV curling event last year.

The schedule is posted!! The schedule is posted!!

Peter has revised the Schedule. You can find the information on our website under 2007/08 Curling Season.
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Week 16 Results - Feb 11th

Here is a quick recap of the scores from Week 16:

Pickthall 10 Dobson 1
Tinsley 6 Bloom 3
Wirch 7 Baginski 7
Nixon 7 Hill 7
Bailey 6 Kaczer 7
Milne 7 Way 3
Bushey 6 Banfield 5

Here is the schedule for Wednesday Feb. 20:

Sheet B Tinsley Vs Wirch
Sheet C Pickthall Vs Baginski
Sheet D Bloom Vs Dobson
Sheet E Way Vs Banfield
Sheet F Milne Vs Bushey
Sheet G Bailey Vs Nixon
Sheet H Kaczer Vs Hill

Standings:
"A" Flight
1st Bushey 13-2-1 27 pts
2nd Bailey 12-4 24 pts
3rd Way 10-4-2 22 pts
4th Milne 9-6-1 19pts
5th Banfield 9-7 18pts
6th Hill 8-7-1 17pts
7th Nixon 7-7-2 16 pts
8th Kaczer 6-10 12 pts
"B" Flight
1st Tinsley 7-8-1 15 pts
2nd Pickthall 6-9-1 13 pts
3rd Dobson 5-10-1 11 pts
4th Bloom 5-11 10 pts
5th Wirch 4-10-2 10 pts
6th Baginski 4-10-2 10 pts

Remember to checkout out our website

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Rock stars courted for curling reality show

Bon Jovi, Springsteen, said to be closet curlers, courted for NBC series that could lead to Olympics
Feb 11, 2008 04:30 AM Chris Zelkovich Sports Media Columnist
Move over American Idol and make room for Rockstar Curling, a reality television show that may indeed have a rock-star connection.
NBC confirmed yesterday it has an exclusive option to air a 10-episode sports reality show that will give the winners a shot at competing in the U.S. championships and even going to the 2010 Olympics.
And one aspect that would make this a draw to the button for NBC is a plan to land closet curlers Bruce Springsteen or Jon Bon Jovi as part of the show, assuming the rockers aren't worried what being connected to a sport with brooms might do to their images.


According to sources, the two rock stars are among a group of entertainment types who rent arena time on occasion to pick up brooms instead of guitars.
Organizers are trying to negotiate a deal to get one of them involved, possibly as a host.


The series is the brainchild of New York-based sports marketing agency mktpartners and Carr-Hughes Productions of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Mktpartners has an office in Toronto and has an advertising commitment from the likes of Tourism Canada, sources say.


"This show is all about the opportunity to expose American viewers to curling," said Colin Campbell, Canadian president of mktpartners and one of the creators of the show. "We feel there might be some great athletes out there who might develop into good curlers given the chance."


While a curling reality show wouldn't be considered that unusual in Canada, where top events draw more than 1 million viewers, it's hardly a mainstream sport south of the border.
Generally, the only time it gets mentioned on U.S. television is when comedians make fun of the sport.
The jokes usually revolve around the use of brooms and the belief curlers are the least athletic of all Olympians.
span >But curling was one of the surprise hits of the last two Olympics for NBC, enough so that NBC aired 24 matches live from Turin on one of its cable channels.
Although curling seldom gets more than 800,000 viewers on NBC, it once drew higher ratings than an NHL playoff game that aired at the same time the next day.


Needless to say, the U.S. Curling Association is thrilled with the prospect of 10 weeks of exposure on a national network.
"We feel that the Rockstar concept is innovative, creative and will help U.S. Curling develop new awareness, interest and participation in our sport across America," said association chief operating office Rick Patzke.
The show would work a lot like the Idol series, though it would most likely air on weekend afternoons.


The show would involve U.S.-wide tryouts starting this year, open to anyone 18 or older. A panel of coaches will select two teams – five men and five women – to train for six months, all expenses paid, at Lake Placid, N.Y.
They would train eight hours a day under professional coaches before going to regional playdowns for the 2010 U.S. Olympic trials in February 2009.
If they win, they're off to the Vancouver Olympics, unlikely as that may seem.


The tryouts, training and national competition will all be part of the series.
"If the winners get anywhere, it will be because they've earned it," said Campbell.
Patzke said the television teams would be given no advantage.


"They would have to enter the U.S. Olympic team trials playdowns like any other U.S. Olympic-eligible team," he said.


"There are no special concessions."


Mktpartners Canadian president Colin Campbell said in a statement that curling has a unique appeal to advertisers.


"The sport of curling is clutter-free compared to mainstream American sports sponsorship," he said, "and Rockstar Curling is an excellent opportunity for brands to capture the attention of consumers, leading up to the Olympics."

CBC: Bon Jovi, the Boss considered for curling reality show: report
Winnipeg Sun: Reality show fuses rock stars and...curling

2008 Tim Hortons® Brier Playdowns Recap

At the British Columbia provincial championships Bob Ursel defeated Greg McAulay 8-7 on a measured rock in the extra end. In the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial championships Brad Gushue defeated Keith Ryan 7-3 in 8 ends. At the Northern Ontario Dominion of Canada Men's Provincial Championships Eric Harnden defeated Jeff Currie 7-3 in 9 ends. At the Nova Scotia Keith's Tankard Brian Rafuse defeated Shawn Adams 4-3. At the Ontario TSC Tankard Glenn Howard defeated Peter Corner 9-4 in 6 ends. In the Prince Edward Island Labatt Tankard Peter Gallant defeated John Likely 8-7 in an extra end. Finally, at the Saskatchewan SaskTel Provincial Champions Pat Simmons defeated Darrell McKee 10-5 in 8 ends.

As other provincial champions are determined results will be posted on our Blog:
Alberta Spruce Grove Curling Club Feb. 12 - 17
Manitoba Brandon - Keystone Centre Feb. 13 - 17
New Brunswick Capital Winter Curling Club Feb. 13 - 17
Québec Colisee Trois-Rivières Feb. 5 - 12
Yukon Northwest Territories Whitehorse Curling Club Feb. 14 - 17

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.

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Saskatchewan Men's Champions

The Saskatchewan Men's Champions who will compete at the 2008 Tim Hortons® Brier are:

Pat Simmons, Jeff Sharp, Gerry Adam and Steve Laycock from the Davidson Curling Club.

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.

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PEI's Men's Champions

The PEI Men's Champions who will compete at the 2008 Tim Hortons® Brier are:

Peter Gallant, Kevin Champion, Mark O'Rourke and John Desrosiers from the Charlottetown Curling Club .

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.
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Ontario Men's Champions

The Ontario Men's Champions who will compete at the 2008 Tim Hortons® Brier are:

Glenn Howard, Richard Hart, Brent Laing and Craig Savill from the Coldwater & District Curling Club .

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.
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Nova Scotia Men's Champions

The Nova Scotia's Men Champions who will compete at the 2008 Tim Hortons® Brier are:

Brian Rafuse, Curt Palmer, Alan Darragh and Dave Slauenwhite from the Bridgewater Curling Club.

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.
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Newfoundland and Labrador Men's Champions

The Newfoundland and Labrador Men's Champions who will compete at the 2008 Tim Hortons® Brier are:

Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, Chris Schille and David Noftall from the Bally Haly G & CC.

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.
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British Columbia Men's Champions

The British Columbia Men's Champions who will compete at the 2008 Tim Hortons® Brier are:

Bob Ursel, Jim Cotter, Kevin Folk and Rick Sawatsky from the Kelowna Curling Club.

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.
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2008 Canadian Men Juniors Champs - Québec

The 2008 M&M® Meat Shops Canadian Junior Men Champions are from Québec .

William Dion, Jean-Michel Arsenault, Miguel Bernard, Erik Lachance and Benoit Arsenault

Good luck at the 2008 World Junior Curling Championships March 1-9, 2008 in Östersund, Sweden.

For more information check our website under the World Curling Events menu.

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2008 Canadian Women Junior Champs - Manitoba

The 2008 M&M® Meat Shops Canadian Junior Women Champions are from Manitoba.

Kaitlyn Lawes, Jenna Loder, Liz Peters Sarah Wazney and Alex Mowat

Good luck at the 2008 World Junior Curling Championships March 1-9, 2008 in Östersund, Sweden.

For more information check our website under the World Curling Events menu.

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2008 World Wheelchair Curling Championship

The 2008 World Wheelchair Curling Championship have finished.

Norway won Gold
Team Norway is Rune Lorentsen, Jostein Stordahl, Geir Arne Skogstad, Lene Tystad, Anne Mette Samdal and Thoralf Hognestad.

Korea won Silver
Team Korea is Hak Sung Kim, Myung Jin Kim, Yang Hyun Cho, Mi-Suk Kang, Dong-Hee Ham and Yuong Li Kwon

The United States won Bronze
Team Unisted States is Jim Pierce, Augusto Jiminez Perez, Jim Joseph, Jacqui Kapinowski, Bob Prenoveau and Steve Brown

Canada finished fourth
Team Canada is Darryl Neighbour, Gerry Austgarden, Ina Forrest, Sonja Gaudet, Gary Cormack and Joe Rea

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Northern Ontario Men's Champions

The Northern Ontario Men's Champions who will compete at the 2008 Tim Hortons® Brier are:

Eric Harnden, E.J. Harnden, Ryan Harnden and Caleb Flaxey from the Soo Curlers.

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.
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2008 Canadian Juniors - Men Semi-Final

The Semi-Final at the 2008 M&M® Meat Shops Canadian Junior Championship is finished:

Ontario defeated Prince Edward Island (Gallant) 4-3.

Ontario plays Quebec (Dion) in the Finals Sun. Feb 10 at 1:30pm.

Live coverage on CBC on Sun. Feb. 10 from 12:00pm - 5:00pm.

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.

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2008 Canadian Juniors - Women Semi-Final

The Semi-Final at the 2008 M&M® Meat Shops Canadian Junior Championship is finished:

Saskatchewan (McVicar) defeated Nova Scotia (Parsons) 8-7.

Saskatchewan plays Manitoba (Lawes) in the Finals Sun. Feb 10 at 12:00pm.
Live coverage on CBC on Sun. Feb. 10 from 12:00pm - 5:00pm.

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.

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2008 Canadian Juniors - Men Tie Breaker

The Tie Breaker at the 2008 M&M® Meat Shops Canadian Junior Championship is finished:

Ontario (Fanset) defeated Saskatchewan (Jones) defeated Northern 7-2.

Ontario plays Prince Edward Island (Gallant) in the Semi-Final at 7:00pm.
The winner plays Quebec (Dion) in the Finals Sun. Feb 10 at 1:30pm.
Live coverage on CBC on Sun. Feb. 10 from 12:00pm - 5:00pm.

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.

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2008 Canadian Juniors - Women Tie Breaker #2

The second Tie Breaker at the 2008 M&M® Meat Shops Canadian Junior Championship is finished:

Saskatchewan (McVicar) defeated Northern Ontario (Miharija) 6-5.

Saskatchewan plays Nova Scotia (Parsons) in the Semi-Final at 7:00pm.
The winner plays Manitoba (Lawes) in the Finals Sun. Feb 10 at 12:00pm.
Live coverage on CBC on Sun. Feb. 10 from 12:00pm - 5:00pm.

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.

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2008 Canadian Juniors - Women Tie Breaker #1

The first Tie Breaker at the 2008 M&M® Meat Shops Canadian Junior Championship is finished:

Saskatchewan (McVicar) defeated Alberta (Bushell) 8 - 7 in an extra end. They will play Northern Ontario (Miharija) at 2:00pm.

The winner will then play Nova Scotia (Parsons) in the Semi-Final at 7:00pm.
Live coverage on CBC on Sun. Feb. 10 from 12:00pm - 5:00pm.

For more information check our website under the Canadian/WCT Events menu.

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