Curling Officials Come Out Swinging at Olympics

The World Curling Federation didn’t take Friday night’s on-ice incidents lying down.

A verbal warning has been issued to Canada’s men’s team, and further “inappropriate behaviour” will “result in additional sanctions.”

More officials were out on the carpet during Saturday’s afternoon game at the Cortina Olympic Curling Stadium, which saw Brad Jacobs’ Canadians lose their first match of the tournament to unbeaten Switzerland by a 9-5 count.

Sweden, Canada's protagonists from the previous night, won their first game of the Olympics, 6-4 over China.

Last night’s men’s Canada versus Sweden match was marred by accusations of rules violations by both sides, with an argument erupting in the ninth end of play.

Swedish third Oskar Eriksson started the affair by approaching an on-ice official in the second end of play.

At root of the issues are rules that in the opaque world of curling officialdom – where the legendary “Spirit of Curling” makes self-policing the longtime norm – seem to contradict each other.

Prior to Saturday’s sole men’s session, World Curling brought officials onto the field of play to stand near the hogline, the rear of stone release that has been the hot spot of contention.

These officials will remain in position during the remainder of the competition.

It’s a sight curling fans haven’t seen since the early 2000s, following the introduction of electronic sensor technology affixed to the plastic handles.

World Curling also issued a issue the warning to the Canadian men’s contingent, and released a statement declaring that “several issues require clarification.”

The statement reads:

• World Curling does not currently use video replay to re-umpire game decisions. Decisions made during a game are final.

• Game Umpires are situated at the end of each sheet and physically cannot see every delivery infraction. However, when they are made aware of delivery issues, game umpires are positioned to observe the delivery for three ends. During this period of observation in the Friday evening game, there were no violations recorded.

• When delivering a stone, before the hog line players can retouch the handle as many times as they wish. However, touching the handle after the hog line is not allowed and will result in a the stone being removed from play as per Rule R.5 (e) that states: “A stone must be clearly released from the hand before it reaches the hog line at the delivery end. If the player fails to do so, the stone is immediately removed from play by the delivering team.”

• During forward motion, touching the granite of the stone is not allowed. This will result in the stone being removed from play.

• As per rule R.5 (d) “The curling stone must be delivered using the handle of the stone.” Violation of this rule, will result in the stone being removed from play.

• It is not possible for World Curling to have game umpires positioned to observe all hoglines for every stone delivery. However, beginning with the Saturday (14 February) afternoon session, two officials will move between all four sheets and observe deliveries.

• Following the Friday evening session, World Curling spoke with the Canadian officials to issue a verbal warning regarding the language used by a Canadian men’s player during the game.

During that meeting it was made clear to those officials that further inappropriate behaviour, determined by rule R.19 would result in additional sanctions.

Rule R.19 states: “Improper conduct, foul or offensive language, equipment abuse, or wilful damage on the part of any team member is prohibited. Any violation may result in suspension of the offending person(s) by the curling organisation having jurisdiction.”