#PowerRankings W17

#BetweenTheSheets: GSOC Regional Rotation?

Plus UPDATED #PowerRankings with a NEW #1?

A time was had in Conception Bay South, NL last weekend folks. If you tuned in to any of the TV games you saw an impressive and knowledgeable curling crowd. Tune in to a game when home province favourite Brad Gushue was playing and it brought back memories of the Brier in St. John's.

This has to be what the Grand Slam of Curling and Sportsnet envision moving forward. This is the atmosphere the players love competing in. This is the environment curling fans want to sit in when attending curling events live. This is what fans watching at home across the nation (and the world) want to see and hear.

So why is it not happening at every slam event?

Location, Location, Location!

The fine principles of proper real estate can be applied to selecting hosting venues for #gsoc events. We can not operate under the Field of Dreams strategy of "if we build it they will come." We have the system and events built. And in some cases, the selected location just does not translate into a successful hosted event. We built it. They didn't come. So we move on. But how?

#RegionalRotation

What makes major sporting events so special is not only the event itself but the backdrop. The host. We all connect Wimbledon to the storied All England Club. The US Open to Flushing Meadows. The Masters to Augusta National. Why can't curling have something similar with its major events?

Now for sake and ease of argument I am only talking about the #gsoc majors: The Masters, The National, The Canadian Open, The Players' Championship. These are the Big 4. The cream of the crop in the sport from a tour level perspective. This is not to diminish the other 3 #gsoc events on the annual calendar but rather the hope of seeing the Big 4 elevated to higher level. Can we at least get a fixed schedule for them? Pick at least a month for each and keep it that way annually. No more of this starting the #gsoc season with The Masters one season and the Tour Challenge the next and so on. Consistency, consistency, consistency (sound familiar?!).

Canada is quite unique. We can really break down our nation into 5 regions: Western, Prairie, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic. 5 regions. 4 majors. Hmmm, see an easy solution here folks?

Hosting an event is not easy. Logistics come into play. The arena needs to be devoted to curling for almost an entire week, often displacing other acts or local hockey teams. And there is always a cost. But maybe we don't always need to rotate through locations either. What if there was a set rotation within each region? Maybe 5 or 6 cities/towns willing to serve as host every 5 or 6 years? Hmmm, seems like a similar argument we have heard from the IOC and Olympic hosting right? It sure makes planning, organizing and financial sense. A process where cities/town can apply to be placed in the rotation and maybe reviewed every 5 years to see if a location wants to be removed but also to allow applications from new interested candidates.

Lets start with the easy one. The Players' Championship has been hosted by the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, ON for the past four years and five of the past six and always in April. The historic previously known Maple Leaf Gardens will once again serve as host for 2019. Players seem to love this venue for the 'grand daddy of them all' major. This is the Wrestlemania of the World Curling Tour and Grand Slam of Curling schedule. It falls within the Ontario Region. History and tradition are being made. Done and done.

But is the answer big major city centres as hosts for these slams? Sure Toronto and the historic Mattamy makes sense but does that logic work best across the board? Probably not. Maybe the shift should be on those smaller cities and towns. Go to the heart of the sport and the home to the true fans. We have seen success in North Battleford. In Okotoks. In Conception Bay South. These smaller, for the most part, hockey towns are also curling hot beds. Maybe we need to look at junior hockey venues as hosts. They offer a more intimate arena setting and we do not have to worry about selling out large arena's (which is likely to not happen) and have half empty arenas on TV (also not a good look). So lets look at the other 3 majors under this lens.

The Canadian Open seems to be calling Saskatchewan home the past few years. Yorkton played host in 2014 and 2015. North Battleford in 2017 and the upcoming 2019 event. While Camrose hosted in 2018 it would appear the Prairie Region (Saskatchewan and Manitoba) would be best fit for the kick-off event for a new calendar year. Curling in January in Saskatchewan or Manitoba? Winnipeg has hosted this slam 5 times and Brandon has hosted once. What is more Canadian then that for the Canadian Open major?

What about hosting locations within the Prairie Region for the Canadian Open then? Well North Battleford and Yorkton certainly seem like good options. Other Saskatchewan options could be Melfort or Humbolt or Weyburn. As for Manitoba, Brandon maybe but is it too big? What about Selkirk, Winkler, Portage, Morris? Now it may be tough for Portage or Morris given they already host relatively big #wct events but maybe they would be interested in hosting a slam every few years as well? There certainly seems like quite a few rotation options in the Prairie Region.

Lets stay out west and look at the Western Region (B.C. and Alberta). Of our remaining two slams, The Masters seems to make the most sense here. Okotoks hosted in 2016 and, having attended this event, the crowds were great. They were very knowledgeable and filled the arena nicely, especially into the playoff weekend. The Masters has really jumped all over the country the past six years with B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia hosting at least once. We need some consistency here. The Masters should be the opening slam of the season and curling in beautiful B.C and/or Alberta in September/October sounds wonderful.

Locations? Well Okotoks would be a great location once again. Banff is starting to host more curling events and could become a great #gsoc host in the future. Leduc has served as host for many curling events, especially recent national championships. Sherwood Park was great for the inaugural Champions Cup. Fort McMurray, Grand Prairie and St. Albert could also be possible host locations in Alberta. B.C. could also present a few viable options. Cranbrook, Kelowna, Penticton, Abbotsford, Richmond and Vernon have all hosted #gsoc and/or provincial championships in the past.

Finally we have The National. Conception Bay South really showed why the Atlantic Region needs to become a regular host for a #gsoc event. And The National has great history in Atlantic Canada with Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia hosting the event 4 times already. The four maritime provinces certainly could each put forward one or two hosting locations as well for a slam event in November. Conception Bay South seems to be a strong candidate for a regular rotation after the success last month. Gander and Paradise have hosted as well in NL. Port Hawkesbury seems to have a solid foundation home with The National as already mentioned. But what about Sydney? Truro? Dartmouth? All could be possible locations from Nova Scotia. PEI seems to present Summerside as the best option while New Brunswick (the only province yet to host a #gsoc event) could put forth options in Oromocto or Moncton.

But what about Quebec Region? We have not seen the greatest success of curling events hosted within Quebec in the past. However, it would be unwise to leave the region out of consideration. Quebec could attach itself to the Atlantic Region as possible hosting sites for The National. It would make the most sense and still align with the regional framework. Quebec City remains the only Quebec #gsoc host location in the past, having hosted The National (2008) and Canadian Open (2007). But Quebec City is far from the only option and, again, might be too large of a venue for the #gsoc landscape. Possible Quebec site locations could include: Rimouski, Chicoutimi and Gatineau.

The Grand Slam of Curling and Sportsnet really need to differentiate the "majors" from the "other" #gsoc events. The 4 majors should be the pinnacle of the #wct season. But how?

• The Big 4 should offer a higher purse compared to the others slams
• An increase in OOM point values comes with strong results and qualifying
• The proposed regional rotation idea for host locations 
• Increase the number of qualified teams to 18, up from the current 15. Or heck maybe make two majors with 18 teams under the RR format and two majors with 24 teams and the triple knockout format
• And, perhaps most important, the Big 4 should have their own specific marketing strategy. Right now the entire #gsoc package of 7 events is one marketing strategy. Why?

As we see in other sports, majors should be elevated above the rest. Roll out the red carpet and market them in unique, new and innovate ways. We want, no we need, to continue to #growthesport and elevate the sport into a new generation competing with so many professional sports for fan and athlete interest. The competition is always changing and curling needs to do the same.

Ok so we built it and some came. The #gsoc series has been a success and has increased market share from a TV, sponsorship and advertising perspective. Great! Now lets up the ante once again and put a bit of separation between the major slams and the other slams. The majors deserve it!

To summarize the proposed #TwineTime plan for a #RegionalRotation process:

The Masters (Sept./Oct.) - Western Region
Host options: Okotoks, Leduc, Sherwood Park, Kelowna, Vernon, Cranbrook

The National (Nov.) - Atlantic/Quebec Region
Host Options: Conception Bay South, Truro, Summerside, Moncton, Gatineau, Rimouski

The Canadian Open (Jan.) - Prairie Region
Host options: North Battleford, Yorkton, Humbolt, Selkirk, Portage, Morris

Players' Championship (April) - Ontario Region
Host Options: Toronto

Now you may be asking what about the other slams? What happens with The Tour Challenge, Elite X and Champions Cup? Well Ontario Region seems to be underrepresented in the proposed system so they would receive, at minimum, one additional slam (Elite X?). I also would love to see one slam moved to the United States. Perhaps we could see The Tour Challenge moved to Duluth or Blaine or Seattle in the near future? Or at least included in a hosting option rotation? The other three slam events can be awarded under the same process they use now. The important factor here being the differentiation between the majors and the other slams. Why not attempt this idea at least? Couldn't hurt right?

The #BoostNational closed down the 2018 calendar year in a major way (get what I did there?!). Time for the quick reflective look down the ice at the results from this past weekend in Conception Bay South but also results in China, Scotland and USA.

#GunnerRunback

• Conception Bay South may not have received the men's final they were hoping for at the start of the week but they did witness history in the making. For the first time we saw two Scottish teams compete in a #gsoc final and, similar to last year, we crowned a first-time champion. Team Paterson knocked off their compatriots and defending #BoostNational champions Team Mouat in the final to etch their names in the Grand Slam record book. Team Koe and Team Howard rounded out the Top 4.
• At the #BoostNational women's event, the #HomanTrain continues to chug along and pick up steam heading into 2019. After winning the previous #gsoc Team Homan figured they might as well continue their winning streak on The Rock. Homan defeated Team Einarson in the championship final to add to their grand slam win total. Team Jones and Team Tirinzoni reached the SF.
• At the #QinghaiElite2018 in Xining, China it was double gold for the #TwineTimeFam! Team Dunstone took home the men's title defeating Czech Republic's Team Klima in the final. Scotland's Team Muirhead finished 3rd while Russia's Team Glukhov finished 4th. For the women, Germany's Team Jentsch continues to build momentum off their huge European bronze medal win, taking home the title by defeating Russia's Team Kovaleva (the same team they beat for said bronze medal). Canada's Team Rocque took home bronze while Switzerland's Team Stern (Tour Challenge Tier II winners) finished 4th.
• While Scotland dominated the men's competition in Canada, back home at the #DumfriesChallenger everything came up orange...as in #TeamOranje when the Netherlands' Team van Dorp collected the championship title over Switzerland's Team Lottenbach. Scotland's Team Brydone and Switzerland's Team Gempeler reached the SF.
• In Lakeville, MN home state fans had something to celebrate on the men's side when Team Maerki from Minneapolis, MN defeated South Dakota's Team Brundidge to win the #DakotaChallenger. Blaine, MN Team Terwedo reached the SF. For the women's draw, another MN team would claim the title with Team Rhyme, from St. Paul, MN, defeating North Dakota's Team Podoll in the final to complete the Twin City double win. Korea's Team Kim and Team Normandeau, also from St. Paul, advanced to the SF stage.

It is worth noting there were numerous provincial qualifiers and provincial events happening around Canada this past weekend as well. But note, these events are not #wct events and, as such, do not carry over points towards the #PowerRankings. However, congratulations to all those teams who won their events and/or qualified for their respected provincial championships in 2019.

With the #BoostNational being a major #gsoc event, those teams who reached the playoff round collected major points towards their climb up the rankings mountain. In addition the event in China is a designated #Tour500 series event while the events in Scotland and USA were classified as #Tour250 events. Add it all up and you know there was some movement this week folks.

#PowerRankings

WOMEN

1. Team Homan - 4990 (LW: 3)
2. Team Hasselborg - 4860 (1)
3. Team Einarson - 4640 (2)
4. Team J. Jones - 3175 (4)
5. Team Tirinzoni - 2775 (HM)

Hon. Mention: Team Kovaleva, Team Yoshimura, Team Stern, Team Carey, Team Scheidegger


MEN

1. Team Epping - 3858 (1)
2. Team Paterson - 3614 (NR)
3. Team Koe - 3420 (4)
4. Team Edin - 3202 (2)
5. Team Jacobs - 3160 (3)

Hon. Mention: Team Mouat, Team Dunstone, Team Howard, Team Gushue, Team McDonald


We have a NEW #1!! After the #SwedishVikings reigned over the land for the past 7 weeks, Team Homan finally found the path up the mountain and overtake their rivals for top spot. Of course winning back to back slams and reaching the SF at the Canada Cup certainly would make the path easier. Hasselborg's loss in the QF at the #BoostNational spelled the end of the record #1 streak. But do not get too comfortable at the top Team Homan. Look at those numbers folks. The Top 3 are literally one playoff one apart. And do not overlook the team sitting in the #4 spot either....they just happen to be the defending Canadian and World champions after all.

And who knows....maybe a dark horse will emerge to challenge the Big 4? Switzerland has two teams in the Top 10 right now with Team Tirinzoni and Team Stern. Both Japanese teams are making strides as well this season with Team Yoshimura and Team Fujisawa looking like world championship threats. Watch out for Russia's Team Kovaleva as well who seems to have faltered a bit as of late but this could be due to a heavy early season schedule and all those events catching up to them.

For the men's mountain, the more things change the more they stay the same? Make it now 14 consecutive weeks at the top for Team Epping. BUT failing to reach the playoffs in Conception Bay South means the gap is closing fast and the space at the top is becoming more crowded with contenders than it has all season. Team Paterson's win vaulted them into the #2 spot while regular Top 5 contenders Team Koe, Team Edin and Team Jacobs remain in the hunt.

The fastest riser over the past month may be Team Mouat, following up a Euro championship with a finals appearance as the defending champ on The Rock. Team McDonald continues to be the #TeamUpset flag bearer on the men's side while Team Dunstone is proving the proposed #TwineTime system of smart scheduling and winning results really can make the climb towards the top a bit easier.

2019 is going to be fun watching these teams, and perhaps a few just off the Top 10, make the climb to the coveted season-ending #1 spot. Can Team Epping continue their historic run atop the mountain? With Team Homan finally overtaking the leaders, can they maintain their position and avoid the all-too-common misstep and tumble down the side of the mountain? And which team(s) will emerge as the true #TeamUpset contenders?

#StayTuned

The 2018 curling calendar is not completely ready to roll over into 2019 rock heads and stoners. There is still a #Tour500 men's/women's dual event in Karuizawa, Japan this week and the annual end of year bash US Open of Curling in Blaine, MN right before New Year's. Worth noting, the US Open will be a men's only event this year. #disappointing

The #TwineTime blog will also be back the final week of the year with the annual Top 8 of 2018 blog post where we look back at the most popular #TwineTime blog posts of this past year. Any guesses on which blog posts make the cut?

What about you? Do you have a favourite #TwineTime blog post? Maybe a #TwineTimeFam interview from the past year? Maybe a more controversial post that raised some eyebrows or got you thinking? Or maybe just a post you enjoyed reading?

While I have not reviewed the posts and compiled the list quite yet, I can guess the #growthesport theme is probably going to be a commonality among them. What do you think?

Until then, enjoy the upcoming holiday season with your family, friends and loved ones. The #TwineTime blog wishes all of you the best during the holidays and THANK YOU once again for continuing to follow the #TwineTime rock down the ice week in and week out.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night....