The 2026 Brier was a delight. Great curling, great commentary. Big shout out for TSN who made it available to the world outside Canada free of charge. It wouldn’t be a post from me without a complaint about something, so might as well get on with that. All television coverage of curling concentrates too much, IMNVHO, on the face of the person who has just thrown, and a very small patch of ice just in front of the thrown stone. This is unhelpful. Kevin Koe’s huge range of emotions, from not very happy all the way to not very happy, hardly needs a close-up lasting half the transit time of the thrown stone to communicate with the audience. Yes, I am keen to know the path of the thrown stone, and focusing on a small patch of ice immediately in front of the stone does not do that. I want to see the path of the stone against the whole planned trajectory of the stone, as If I was standing behind the thrower or the skip. Surely, we have enough camera technology to allow that.

I always start watching Canadian championships without supporting a specific team, it is a huge advantage, that way I never “lose” and enjoy every shot. But after watching Kevin “circus” Koe nail a skinny triple without batting an eyelid, it was hard to stay dispassionate and impartial. And he lifts the stone!

I guess Matt Dunstone’s team was the best. I am looking forwards to the worlds. I well remember the most hyped Canadian junior team since Paul Goswell getting owned by Bruce Mowat in the world junior championships. I expect a player of Mr. Dunstone’s calibre is looking forwards to some unfinished business.