Show Notes
We are just over a week away from Rock League's debut, and a lot of fans are asking about the rules and what exactly is going to differentiate Rock League as a live experience from curling events in the past. Thankfully, John sits down with The Curling Group's rules guru Brent Laing and the CEO himself to get the scoop on what exactly the rule changes are, why they were made, and what has Nic very excited–and a little nervous–as we head into the first-ever Rock League season. This episode is brought to you by Goldline Curling. Their end-of-season sale is happening NOW with a ton of great deals and free shipping on any order over $150. Check it out at goldlinecurling.com.
More from The Curling Hotline
The Hotline is back after a wild week in Victoria at the first Slam of the year that saw multiple controversies spring up around the points system and celebrating made shots, and John breaks it all down. He also gives his overall thoughts on the winners Yannick Schwaller and Kerri Einarson, and Team Einarson third Shannon Birchard joins the show to discuss winning the Slam, their new team dynamic, and balancing motherhood with curling. And finally, the Hotline is BURSTING after a busy week in Victoria, with John answering your questions about the new stats, sponsor's exemptions, and space aliens. This episode is brought to you by Goldline Curling. For all your curling needs, check out "The Choice of Champions" at goldlinecurling.com. Give us a call! 1-877-CURL-HOT (1-877-287-5468) to ask a question or tell us what's your mind. You can also email the show at [email protected].
We are less than a week away from the first Grand Slam of Curling event of the season, the Co-op Invitational, and so John calls up Taylor Reese-Hansen, Victoria-based skip, to ask her about her thoughts on competing in her first-ever Slam and that Slam being on home soil. The two also discuss the burgeoning Victoria curling community, her learning to curl in the remote outpost of Kitimat, BC, and why this particular lineup of hers has been so good over the last few seasons. Then GSOC broadcaster Brent Laing joins John to break down the event from his expert perspective, weighing in on some of the new rivalries on tour, the softer schedule some teams played to start the season, and to make some bold predictions for the first Slam. And finally, John takes your calls (and an email!) to discuss sharpening stones and the Canadian curling conundrum. This episode is brought to you by Goldline Curling. For all your curling needs, check out "The Choice of Champions" at goldlinecurling.com. Give us a call! 1-877-CURL-HOT (1-877-287-5468) to ask a question or tell us what's your mind. You can also email the show at [email protected].
John is joined this week by the newly-minted World #1 Yannick Schwaller, the first Swiss skip to ever top the table, and the two discuss what that means to the team, how they're approaching this quad, their two-coach system, and Curling Baby. And then John is joined by one of Canada's up-and-coming talents Serena Gray-Withers. The two go over John's victory in a sprint race over her entire team last season, if there will be a rematch, what Laura Walker has added to the squad, and the interview ends with a surprise.
The Hotline returns for your weekly dose of curling news and interviews, as John discusses the Rock League Season 2 announcement, the Korean Federation's decision to take Bo-bae Kang off of 4-player duty, and some World ranking changes before being joined by Jordon McDonald and Alina Pätz. Fresh off of a finalist finish in Oakville, the young skip Jordon McDonald joins John for his first-ever podcast interview as the two discuss balancing school and curling, his team's constant quest for improvement, Brad Jacobs' mentorship, and who the worst Mario Kart player is on his team. And then Alina Pätz calls in to discuss her team's rapid start to the season with 3 straight wins, what it's like returning to skipping, her new teammates, and the budding rivalry between her and Xenia Schwaller. Finally, John takes YOUR calls from The Curling Hotline, answering a fan question about the new rules around playing with 3. This episode is brought to you by Goldline Curling. For all your curling needs, check out "The Choice of Champions" at goldlinecurling.com.
It's the first full-length episode of the brand-new Curling Hotline podcast, and the phone lines are burning up! First, Joanne Courtney phones in to discuss her brand-new position on the TCG Broadcast Team, what she's most excited for in the booth, and some bold predictions for the season. And then Bruce Mouat joins John, fresh off of a busy summer where he bounced around the UK to celebrate his Olympic silver medal. We discuss Grant Hardie departing the squad, how they're preparing for this new life without him, and the early impact Robin Brydone has had on the team. Then we finish up with some of YOUR phone calls, discussing the ESPN+ broadcast and Lebanese Curling. Also, John says the word "fabulous" like 12 times in this episode for some reason. Just really excited, I guess.