It’s my Parting Shot to talk about how the “real” curling season has started, meaning my interest is right there with all of you who call in wondering where the results are…..
The Provincial women’s and men’s championships are underway in Kindersley and, as the guy who does the sports during the Noon, 4 and 5 o’clock information packages on CJWW, I promise you some form of results will be the first item on all of those reports!
That’s because this is part of the process towards determining provincial representatives to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Montana’s Brier and World Championships – you know, the real competitions that people really care about!
Not the made for T-V Grand Slam or Continental Cup or whatever other events that come down the pipe! I don’t pay attention to the, so-called, pro tour of curling – unless it’s being held close by – because I’m old school and those things weren’t around when I was a young guy playing 120 or so games a year, trying to win a Manitoba Junior title or qualify for the Consol playdowns!
Back then, you tried to win your club playdowns, move on to zone playdowns, play in the big bonspiel with several berths into the provincials and onwards. You played in cash and car spiels to try and hone your team’s game, when you were able to because of your work and/or school commitments and were proud of the trophies and arm patches you accumulated!
Yes, I’m a curling dinosaur – and proud of it!
I was in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1985 – covering the Air Canada Silver Broom, remember that? That was when the World Curling Federation was full steam ahead with trying to get the roaring game included in the Winter Olympics – which it eventually was! At the time, I thought it was great, but it changed the landscape of the way the competitive aspect of the sport was viewed and trained for!
Not necessarily for the better, although Canadians had to keep up with the rest of the world and how they viewed the need to get better and be competitive for world supremacy! As a result, club playdowns and zone or district playdowns have pretty much become a thing of the past!
But, for this long-time sports reporter, the 2025 curling season starts now with provincial championships! Enjoy the ride because I know I will!!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!
