Incredible scenes in Nagano, Team Gushue sniping and Ulsrud’s Valentine pants
NAGANO 1998
After USA won the first men’s tiebreaker the previous night, Japan’s young Makoto Tsuruga appeared to have the second men’s tiebreaker locked with a steal.
But USA skip Tim Somerville had other ideas.
Tsuruga was devastatedSomerville made an incredible bump and roll in the house – one of the greatest game-winning touch shots ever seen – on his last throw of the game to win the match 5-2 and send the host Japanese fans, and their hero Tsuruga, into despair.
The Americans rejoiced. They had just won two tiebreakers to advance to the first-ever Olympic curling semifinals.
It was quite a shotHowever, the semi proved to be a bust for USA as Canada’s Mike Harris scored seven unanswered points over five ends to win 7-1 and advance to the final.
In the other semifinal, Switzerland’s Patrick Huerlimann overcame a late-three ender to defeat Norway’s Eigil Ramsfjell 8-7.
Harris and Hurlimann, whose friendship had spearheaded the two teams becoming chummy during curling’s debut in the modern Olympic era, would battle for gold the next evening in Karuizawa.
On the women’s side, Canada’s Sandra Schmirler escaped with a 6-5 extra-end victory over Great Britain when her last draw for the win – which seemed heavy – ground to a halt in the back rings for the win.
COCThe other semi saw Denmark upset world champions Sweden by a 7-5 count, setting up the first Olympic women’s curling final in the modern era.
PYEONGCHANG 2018
Men’s and women’s team competitions roared to life in Gangneung, with Norway’s squad, skipped by Thomas Ulsrud, competing in their third Olympics.
The lads unveiled special pants to celebrate Valentine’s Day, which had opponent Tetsuro Shimizu of Japan chuckling.
He wasn’t alone, and what a sight it was.
Anil Mungal-The Curling NewsTORINO 2006
The Curling News had a man on site in Pinerolo to track sessions two and three.
Our scribe noted that Canada’s Brad Gushue suffered a loss with some “picks” involved… and there may have been “the beginnings of some inter-squad tension that threatens to bubble over into plain view.”