Let’s be honest, competitive curling has been back in full swing for almost a couple of months now.
However, since televised action of “the roaring game” officially gets underway Thursday with the Grand Slam of Curling’s Masters event in Okotoks, Alta., we can now begin to start gearing up for another exciting campaign.
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned it in this space over the last couple of months, but I’m a massive curling fan.
It’s my second favourite sports, after auto racing, and I’ll be pretty much following along with every provincial playdown during the lead-up to the 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts and the Tim Hortons Brier.
Plus, we’ll actually get a Grand Slam of Curling event here in the new year, as the Canadian Open will take place in North Battleford from Jan. 3-8 at the Civic Centre.
I’ll be living at the arena all week long, but that’s another story entirely.
When you look across the curling landscape, this should be a pretty interesting season, and not just because everyone’s trying to make it to the 2017 Olympic Trials in Ottawa.
The sweeping brouhaha from last year seems to be rectified with new regulations, but I would rather focus on the actual on-ice product.
On the men’s side, the depth is a strong as ever with almost a dozen teams being legit contenders to win the national title.
Personally, I’m rooting for Brad Gushue to finally win the Brier, especially since the event is taking place in St. John’s, N.L.
At the moment, the 2006 Olympic gold medalist is dealing with nagging hip and groin injuries, but I expect him to be in fine form as he looks to win his province’s first title since 1976.
Over on the women’s side, though, the biggest storyline for me will be how Rachel Homan does.
Granted, I’m slightly biased when it comes to the Ottawa, Ont. native and her rink. She’s right up there with Scotland’s Eve Muirhead when it comes to my curling fandom.
Last year, the two-time Scotties champion dominated the cashspiel circuit and was already being handed a third title.
Then a funny thing happened on the way to the dance. She was upset in stunning fashion in the Ontario final by Jenn Hanna.
After that shocking result, I totally expect Homan and her squad to come back with a vengeance this year.
That’s probably not what the rest of the field wants to hear as they prepare to face her on the World Curling Tour.
