I’m going to ride out the storm at the Last Chance Men’s Bonspiel in Hibbing, so no more posts until I get back– hopefully late on Sunday.  In the meantime, the World Championship scoring (courtesy of CurlCast) is at this link.

China just gave Canada their first loss of the 2008 Worlds.  Its tough to make one steal against K Mart, let alone three.  Nice job!

Chinese skip Fengchun Wang and German skip Andreas Kapp sweep in the house in draw 2.

We made it back to Duluth after watching the first three draws of the 2008 World Men’s Curling Championship in Grand Forks, ND.  I sure wish we could have stayed all week– it was curling heaven.  The meticulously prepared ice set against the opulence of the Ralph Engelstad Arena served as a fitting stage for an event featuring the best curlers in the world.  Click the “more” link below to see a ton of pictures from the trip. . .

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It was a spur of the moment decision, and the planning was minimal, but early Saturday morning, Mrs. CurlDuluth and I are going to drive over to Grand Forks and watch the first two draws of the 2008 World Men’s Curling Championship. I’ll post some pictures and commentary soon– now I need to run out and buy a cowbell, quick!

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Here is a nice shot of what the sheets looked like after the ice crew busted it up and hauled it out of the Duluth Curling Club.  So sad!

Thanks to Scott for sharing the picture.  

On Friday the Duluth Curling Club held its annual Spring Membership Meeting and banquet.  A few items of interest to pass along:

Congratulations to the Tom Brozic rink for winning the Bagley!  They beat Seppo Sormunen’s rink for the championship Friday night.   The Brozic rink will once again be added to the long list of club champions.    

Congratulations are also due to Dick Wicklund, Phil DeVore, and Linda Christensen, who were elected to three year terms on the Duluth Curling Club’s board of directors.

Did you know that you can rent the Duluth Curling Club’s lounge?  Even in the summer?  Yes, its true.  If you have an event, the Duluth Curling Club has the space, and rates are very reasonable, especially for club members.   

Speaking of the lounge, on Saturday, April 5th, the Duluth Curling Club will host a “Must Go” evening at the lounge.  For a mere $10, you can eat all you want– until it is gone.  I also heard that drinks would only be $1.  I’m not sure if that includes the Crown Royal Manhattan, but its worth a try!   

Duluth Ethan Meyers Rink took 2nd place in the main event at the Serrano bonspiel in Chisholm back on March 16. Congrats to the team - Ethan, Trevor Host, Anders Silverness, and Elizabeth Bushe -  they played a great spiel!

The 2008 Ford Women’s World Curling Championship is underway in Vernon, BC.  Today (Thursday) is the last day of round robin play before the playoffs, and currently China and Canada are tied for first at 8 wins 1 loss.  Debbie McCormick’s US team is in a three way tie for fifth place with 5 wins and 4 losses.  

You can see live scoring at this link, and some games are available online (with commentary by Pete Fenson) at this link.  

Fun from the Stranrear Curling Club in Scotland. If you’re ever set up like this, you know the shot to try.

Tonight (Friday) beginning at 6pm, the third Open House and Social Curling Soiree will be held at the Duluth Curling Club.  These events are hosted by Ken and Joanne Docteur, and the first two were quite popular.  At the last event, all eight sheets were filled with curlers, ranging in ability from novice to expert.  If you’ve got friends who are interested in curling but have never tried it, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce them to the sport.   

The event is free.   Come on down for a fun friday evening of curling, music and fellowship! 

Well, you saw the spin delivery in an earlier post. I don’t really know what to call this, but there is spinning involved. It looks like they know how to have fun at the Mankato Curling Club.

Last night the Duluth Curling Club hosted a reception for the 2008 World Junior Curling Champions. The Plys rink was feted by family and friends with a steak dinner. Duluth Mayor Don Ness was on hand with an official proclamation of the City’s gratitude for representing the Duluth Curling Club, their families, the city, and the USA on the world stage, and for bringing home gold. Congratulations gentlemen!

From left to right: Third Aanders Brorson, Skip Chris Plys, Duluth Mayor Don Ness, Second Matt Perushek, Alternate Daniel Plys, and Coach Phil Drobnick (not pictured: lead Matt Hamilton).

The team also debuted a short video detailing their accomplishments, including the exciting last shot against Sweden in the championship game. Post the video on YouTube and share it with the world, guys!

(P.S.:  I’ll send one free curlduluth.com T-shirt to the first person who can describe the origin of this post’s title.  Email me at andy@curlduluth.com.)

The 2008 House of Hearts had something for everyone. For teams lucky enough to lose in the first round of the playoffs Saturday, there was the DRanger Event. This was truly deranged curling. For the first end, teams played across the sheets– for example, the shooter delivered from the hack on sheet 1 to the house on sheet 2. Then there was a short game, played across two adjacent houses, then. . . Well, just watch the video:

The 2008 House of Hearts has successfully concluded, and the Duluth Curling Club is still standing. There was enough alcohol consumed to make WC Fields shake his head in disgust, and enough bawdiness to make Hugh Hefner blush. Oh, there was some curling also. . .

Tyler George and Tony Norland sweep Lucy DeVore’s shot to Peja Lindholm’s broom.

Rick Lang holds coffee and the broom in the Saturday morning draw.

Neal Harrison had the nicest sweater.

Tim Phillips, shirtless, must have done well in the DRanger.

The first foul in the DRanger event came before a single stone was thrown.

Doug Cameron and Andy Skildum (me) sweep Amy Wright’s rock into Craig McDisher’s house.

Amy Wright delivers in the championship game.

The woman in the green shirt was a representative of the St. Luke’s Foundation (sorry I didn’t get her name). The 2008 House of Hearts raised over $40,000 to benefit patients, health education, and clinical research.

All the skips, still standing. . . not for long.

There were lots of nice hats, but nothing beats the lampshades.

And finally: The “A” event champions! From left to right Craig Disher (skip), Amy Wright (third), Andy Skildum (lead) and Doug Cameron (second). Way to go team!

There are some more pictures on the House of Hearts website, and you can buy a CD chock full of photos from the event for only $10 at the Duluth Curling Club office.

The three day drinking contest disguised as a charity bonspiel named the 2008 House of Hearts continues.  The friday round robins concluded (with success for Craig Disher’s rink, and only charity points for Rick Lang).  Here are a few pictures, and then I’ve got to get dressed for the saturday draws.

This is a Docteur.

And this guy is dressed as a doctor.

A view of some early round robin action.

A heated discussion in the house.

Tim Phillips may have been the big winner of the evening. . .