Monday 23 December 2019

#Top9 of '19

#BetweenTheSheets: Top 9 of 2019
Which blog posts landed closest to the button this past year?



Your top spotify songs of the year unwrapped.

Your Top 9 on IG.

The top songs of the year. Top movies. Highest earning athlete. Most memorable sports moment.

The lists go on and on and on and on.....

So why shouldn't the #TwineTime blog continue the trend?

Welcome to the Top 9 of 2019 blog post where we discuss the top posts of the past year.

Tuesday 17 December 2019

#PowerRankings W21

#BetweenTheSheets: A Ranking Mountain Rockslide?
Some teams made a serious climb while others took a major fall


Another slam in the books. Ok not just another slam but the second major of the season. The Boost National brought its final rock to a spinning halt Sunday afternoon at Conception Bay South Arena.

In the end two familiar teams were left standing above the rest. It was a case of deja vu for curling fans who may have rubbed their eyes a bit and asked if they were suffering from Groundhog Day Syndrome seeing the same two teams lift the championship trophy as we saw back in November at the last slam.

But the slam results were not the only rumblings rocking the curling house this past weekend. If you followed the #twitterspiel, which you all should be doing by now, you would have seen a familiar topic of discussion turns its rock handle once again.

Wednesday 11 December 2019

#BoostNational Preview + #PowerRankings W20

#BetweenTheSheets: Purple Power
Preview the upcoming Boost National PLUS updated Power Rankings


This is an action-packed blog post rock heads. We have some #INturns and #OUTturns to highlight. We have an update on the #PowerRankings, including the Nation rankings. Plus we have the preview for the upcoming Boost National grand slam event.

Lots of rocks in play. A messy house. All the drama. No time for pleasantries. Brooms down, lets go!

Tuesday 3 December 2019

#PowerRankings W19

#BetweenTheSheets: A Slide Towards Equality
Plus updated #PowerRankings



During Championship Sunday at the Canada Cup in Leduc this past weekend, Curling Canada Chief Executive Officer Katherine Henderson made the equality announcement curling athletes and fans have been waiting for years to hear. The Scotties and Brier, the Canadian national championship events, would finally have equal pay. "Equal pay for equal work" as Henderson has been quoted as saying.

Starting with the 2020 championships, the total purse at both events will be an equal $300,000. The champions from both events will earn $105,000 each, which includes cresting and prize money. Runner-ups will receive $65,000 while bronze medal winners receive $45,000. The remaining $85,000 will be allocated among the remaining competing teams depending on final placement.

For comparison sake, at the 2019 championships Team Koe earned $105,000 for their Brier win while Team Carey earned $59,000 for the Scotties title. A nice, and needed, hefty jump for our female athletes.

When we look at total purse amounts from last year, the Brier awarded $293,000 while the Scotties handed out $165,000. The new purse almost doubles for the Scotties by comparison and we even see a slight increase at the Brier.

The clarity on where the extra funding will come from has not been released based on media statements I have read so whether Curling Canada has strengthened existing sponsorship deals or is just carving a larger piece of the pie out of their own operating dollars, the end result is still savory and sweet.

The announcement was certainly a nice slide out of the hack but in the bigger picture of the sport, have we even crossed the hog line for equality?

Wednesday 6 November 2019

#TourChallengeGSOC Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Preview for Pictou
62 teams arrive in Nova Scotia chasing GSOC glory




Knock, Knock
Who's there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you glad it's Tour Challenge Time?!

Hahaha....the blog is trying to be funny today. Maybe it is because we are in November, my favourite month of the year. Or maybe it is because, living in Calgary, we have snow, snow and more snow so I need to find a laugh somewhere. Or maybe it is because I am a few nights away from an annual vacation.

Either way, you laughed right? Either at me or with me, it doesn't matter.

Bring on the orange rings of the Tour Challenge! Is this curling's version of the Tide pod challenge?

Didn't get that one? Look at the rings. Go to your laundry room and look at your Tide pods. Get it?

Annnyway.....moving on.....

Tuesday 5 November 2019

#PowerRankings W15

#BetweenTheSheets: Canada Cup Ice Bubble Watch Finale
Is the bubble ready to burst for those still in the hunt?


One grand slam major in the books. Another slam event coming up. And a massive Canadian event, with Olympic trial ramifications, is one spin of the rock away.

Welcome to November rock heads!

As the cut-off for finalizing the Canada Cup of Curling field quickly approaches, lets take one final look at the #IceBubbleWatch.

Did recent Masters performances burst the bubble for some teams? Could last-chance results at the upcoming Tour Challenge keep bubble hopes alive for others?

Friday 1 November 2019

#PACC 2019 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Time For The PACC Attack
Shenzhen, China hosts the 2019 Pacific-Asia Curling Championships


Before we even slide out of the hack with this preview can we just admire the logo above?

How great is this event logo? Props to the organizing committee for putting this one together. A logo that doesn't consist of a generic curling athlete silhouette or an overhead view of the rings. Imagine that?!

The logo incorporates a connection to the host city and nation while still connecting to the sport with the bird wings wrapped around to form the familiar curling house image we are all used to. Clever work here.

If this is the future of curling marketing for events I am living for it. A curling event does not have to have a marketing image or said athlete and/or the curling rings to help entice people. A fresh color scheme. A play with imagery. Creativity can go a long way here. I want to see more of this!

Ok lets talk about the event itself, shall we?

Tuesday 29 October 2019

#PowerRankings W14

#BetweenTheSheets: Spooktacular Weekend in North Bay
The GSOC Hall of Champions welcomes new additions



It was a double dose of history this weekend in North Bay, Ontario. Or should we say #HIStory and #HERstory was made.

Tracy Fleury and Matt Dunstone etched their names into the Grand Slam of Curling record books, claiming the season-opening major, The Masters.

For one it was a home town celebration in front of close family and friends. For the other it was a boyhood dream come true.

The Hall of Champions has two fresh new faces and the sport is better off because of it.

Wednesday 23 October 2019

#MastersGSOC Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Welcome To The Masters
The season's first major FINALLY hits the house


Slam season is here,
the rings will be dyed green,
are you excited?

FINALLY!

The rocks have come back to your television screen.

This is week 14 on tour rock heads. 14! And we are only getting our first slam of the season now. WTF?!?

But patience is also a virtue so with calm anticipation comes the big payoff.

Welcome to The Masters.

Monday 21 October 2019

#PowerRankings W13

#BetweenTheSheets: Penultimate Days To The Masters
Teams made final preparations for the opening major of the season


The countdown is on.

The days, hours, minutes and seconds are quickly ticking away until curling returns to national television for another season.

Having attended the #CCAutumnGold Classic over Thanksgiving weekend in Calgary, many fans were salivating for the chance to see curling on their tv sets again.

The rock heads were talking about the upcoming Grand Slam of Curling season. Being in Calgary, fans were already getting excited for the year-end slam, The Champions Cup, being in nearby Olds, Alberta. Fans want to see their favourite teams and the best teams in the world finally get the #gsoc season started.

Friday 18 October 2019

#Curling S1920 W13

#BetweenTheSheets: The Tour Challenge Field Is Finalized
Did the #PowerRankings match the invite list?


The opening Grand Slam of Curling event has not hit the ice yet and already we are talking about the second #GSOC event. Feels a bit weird, no?

Well the Tour Challenge invites went out and the field for the Tier I and Tier II was officially announced earlier this week. For 62 men's and women's teams around the globe there was a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Monday (yes I know it was a Canadian holiday only, just go with it).

The Tour Challenge may not be considered a slam "major" but it does carry a lot of importance. It is the only slam event with a Tier II component, where the winner of the Tier II earns a direct spot into a future slam event.

As well, extra pressure on some Tier I teams as the Canada Cup CTRS cut-off date is the Monday following the championship final. For those teams hoping to snag the final spot in Leduc, this is their last chance to move up the rankings....or hold on to the final spot for two teams.

But the question remains: Did the rankings get the invites right?

Wednesday 16 October 2019

#PowerRankings W12

#BetweenTheSheets: Return of the #IceBubbleWatch
And a new #1 on the mountain....thanks to Snowmageddon?


A few weeks ago the blog brought back the (in)famous #IceBubbleWatch to discuss the upcoming Canada Cup in Leduc, AB at the beginning of December.

The field of 14 has 12 confirmed teams with the final men's and women's team to be determined based on the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) as of November 11.

We looked at the #IceBubbleWatch three weeks ago. We are four weeks away from the cut-off point. We have a full slate of #ROCKtober games to be played, including TWO #gsoc events with one being a major.

Now seems like the perfect time to take a glimpse into the Ice Bubble and see if any team has made significant progress towards the final Canada Cup spot. Has a team emerged as the overwhelming leader? Has a team or teams put themelve(s) onto the Bubble Watch? Or has a team or teams played their way out of contention?

It may be a bit cloudy with chances of a snow storm in the near future but lets take a updated look at the #IceBubbleWatch.

Friday 11 October 2019

#Curling S1920 W12

#BetweenTheSheets: Time To Give Thanks
What are YOU thankful for this holiday season?


Happy Turkey Weekend rock heads!

This weekend is Thanksgiving in Canada. Technically Thanksgiving is Monday but why not celebrate all weekend right? We all have A LOT to be thankful for.

Last year in this very blog space I wrote about what I was most thankful for. All of those comments can be carried over to this year for the same reason. If you want a refresher, check it out HERE.

But what are you thankful for?

Tuesday 8 October 2019

#PowerRankings W11

#BetweenTheSheets: ROCK-tober Brings The Hits
The busiest month on the curling calendar has arrived


Did you know October is the unofficial curling month on the curling calendar? It is true.

There are more World Curling Tour events taking place in the month of October than any other month of the year. You want to see A curling event on any given weekend in the month? How about MANY curling events every weekend?

This is the month where teams are officially in the full swing of the season. Sliders have been warmed. Rocks have been thrown. September (and August now) really feel like the build-up months to how hectic and busy October is.

Welcome to ROCK-tober!

Friday 4 October 2019

#Curling S1920 W11

#BetweenTheSheets: Defend, Defend, Defend
Pressure is on. Can teams defend the points earned a year ago?



The point system and ranking debate rages on rock heads. More "elite" curlers are discussing the hot topic. More journalists are now writing about it. More athletes are being interviewed and being more forthcoming with their opinion and thoughts.

And #TwineTime is over here going, "Where was all this 3 years ago?!?" This blog has been making the same comments, drawing attention to the same inequalities and issues for 3 years. Frankly it is about time this topic hits the ice. The current system does not work. Point. Blank. Period.

But rather than continue making the same talking points over and over and over again, lets focus on another aspect of the #TourTier system often overlooked. The #DefendTheIce position.

Tuesday 1 October 2019

#PowerRankings W10

#BetweenTheSheets: Remember Those Days In September
Enjoying a quiet curling weekend...with official winter curling weather


How did you celebrate the last weekend of September rock heads? Enjoy a nice walk outside? Take in the beautiful colours of Autumn? All the orange and yellow mixed in with a hint of green still. September usually brings some great pictures of Fall trees across our great country.

Unless you live in Calgary or most of Southern Alberta this year. Then you get the photo above. As IG user mayyy-who captured this weekend, Calgary turned into a city covered in a white blanket. Snow arrived. And it arrived. And arrived. And arrived. ALL weekend! It started late Friday/early Saturday and did not stop until Monday. Sure the temperatures were not horrible all weekend but did we really need non-stop snow all weekend?

As Canada's own Deborah Cox serenaded us with the words "I remember that day in September..." when curling's winter weather arrived WAY earlier than we were ready for. Sounds like another hit right?

On the plus side, what better excuse to stay inside, cuddle up on the couch and track some curling at events taking place around the world.

Friday 27 September 2019

#Curling S1920 W10

#BetweenTheSheets: The Dis-Continental Cup?
Time to Reevaluate, Rethink, Rebrand and Rename


This week the 2020 Continental Cup selections were announced, causing quite a few rock smashes along the way. To put it bluntly, people are pissed off. Ok maybe not all people but a vast majority of curling fans are not happy.

The 2020 Ryder Cup-on-ice style event will feature 6 teams from Canada taking on 6 teams from Europe. Well actually 2 teams from Scotland, Sweden and Switzerland.

Did you all just learn a new geography lesson? Everything we were taught in school or on a globe (remember globes?!) has been a complete lie. Canada is its own continent. Europe is actually comprised of only 3 nations.

Settle down public school, you have wronged us all. Curling knows the true definition of "continent" apparently. 😒

Tuesday 24 September 2019

#PowerRankings W9

#BetweenTheSheets: The *ICE* Bubble Watch Returns
The Canada Cup field is almost complete. Who claims the FINAL spot?


The #IceBubbleWatch is baaaacckkk!!

Here you thought when The Masters announcement was made the ice bubble watch would take some time off and not roll back onto the sheet of ice until we start discussions on the next #gsoc. Wrong!

Last week the Canada Cup of Curling field was announced. Wowzers was there a lot of announcements made in the curling world last week, right?! The showcase Canadian event, the next tier below the Brier/Scotties, will take place November 27 - December 1 in Leduc, Alberta.

7 of the top men's and women's teams in Canada will compete for the prestigious title. The announcement last week finalized 6 men's and women's teams. The question now remains, who will be Lucky #7?

Friday 20 September 2019

#Curling S1920 W9

#BetweenTheSheets: Men, Women, Mixed Doubles.....Oh My!!
The rocks will be BUSY from the Prairies to The Rock to The Baltic Sea


Clear your calendars for the weekend rock heads. No need to go do yard work. Skip the gym. Turn on your bread maker. Toss some popcorn in the microwave. And then sit back and enjoy a weekend full of hits, draws, guards and runbacks. Week 9 is PACKED with curling action.

Now a few people may look at this week as being a quiet one on tour. Many of the Top 10 squads are taking the weekend off to practice and enjoy what, if any, is left of summer weather before fall takes over. But this blog sees it slightly different.

Top 10 resting up? Sure! Quality curling and top notch teams still hitting the ice competing for prize money, trophies and ranking points? 100% baby!!

Tuesday 17 September 2019

#PowerRankings W8

#BetweenTheSheets: Who Survived The #IceBubbleWatch?
Did any team play themselves into, or out of, a GSOC invite?


The time has arrived. The red envelope has been ripped open, the announcement is ready to be made. For curling teams this is one of the announcements they look forward to the most throughout the season.

The Men of Curling calendar announcement!!

Ok just kidding, that is not what we are talking about here. But the announcement was made. Check out who will melt your rocks next year HERE and compare the final lineup to the #TwineTime proposed lineup HERE.

The announcement we are actually talking about this week is which teams played their way in (or out) of the first "major" of the season: The Masters.

And the winners are....

Thursday 12 September 2019

#Curling S1920 W8

#BetweenTheSheets: A No-Decision Decision In Mexico?
Summarizing outcomes from the WCF Congress AND #WCT Previews


All eyes were on Cancun, Mexico last week when the World Curling Federation held their annual congress meeting.

Wait....let that sink in for a second. Curling. Cancun. Mexico. This is a real thing rock heads. The host location alone is a slide down the right path for #growthesport, no? Those lucky attendees I am sure were not complaining either. Mexico at the beginning of September sure sounds nice. But we digress....

There were many hot topic issues on the agenda this year. The biggest being the proposal to shorten curling games to 8 ends from 10 ends. This sure has stirred the debate soup in the curling world throughout the summer. But it isn't really a new issue either. This has been talked about for quite some time. It only has been elevated now as the topic goes before the WCF Member Associations for discussion.

But there were also other agenda topics for discussion and up for vote. Here is your quick recap on what happened in Cancun.

Tuesday 10 September 2019

#PowerRankings W7

#BetweenTheSheets: The #GSOC *Ice* Bubble Watch
All points matter as teams try to punch a ticket to North Bay



The curling season is barely a few weeks old and already we are ready to peer into the crystal ball looking into the future. Ok well maybe it is not a crystal ball but rather an ice bubble.

Teams are starting to look at the upcoming Grand Slam of Curling season and, if you can read a calendar properly, they are well aware the cut-off for The Masters is fast approaching. In fact it is next week! Yes The Masters will not be contested on the ice until the final weekend of October but for teams looking to punch a ticket to North Bay, they have one more week to do so.

Which teams are on the (ice) bubble? Which are comfortably sliding into the field? And which have some work to do? Lets enter curling's version of the #BubbleWatch...also known as the #IceBubbleWatch.

Thursday 5 September 2019

#Curling S1920 W7

#BetweenTheSheets: Scheduling, Scheduling, Scheduling
Can scheduling make or break a team's season? Help or hinder the tour?


A curling fan does not need a calendar to know when September arrives. All one has to do is hop on social media, check out your favourite teams social media accounts and know the curling season is underway. This is the time when teams are "engaging" on social media with the announcement of their schedule for the upcoming season.

For some teams this is the start of a season-long engagement strategy with fans and through social media. Some of these teams announce their schedule and then continue interacting with fans all season. Some teams make their announcement and then we rarely see or hear from them again. Begging the question as to why bother with the announcement at all? If you are not going to be engaging all season, do fans really care where you will be and when?

But alas this is not a post discussing the sport, social media and fan engagement. We will save this topic for a later post, perhaps mid-season to see if teams actually are stepping up their social media game and becoming more engaged with fans (similar to what many NHL teams did last season).

This week lets talk about the actual focal point for all these posts at the beginning of September: Scheduling. Are teams scheduling themselves into or out of top rankings and #gsoc events? Can scheduling lead to diminished returns for some #wct events? And should there be a more strict requirement on teams for the amount of events they should play each season?

Settle into the hack rock heads, lets start a discussion.

Tuesday 3 September 2019

#PowerRankings W6

#BetweenTheSheets: Swiss Score, Canada Cursed
Switzerland scores big while Canada struggles *again* in Oakville


Another season of the Oakville Fall Classic, another year of disappointing results for the home nation teams. The Canada Curse continues folks. And it wasn't even close this year!

The blog discussed the curse in the preview post last week, discussing how Canadian teams seem to really struggle at this event. Maybe because it is early in the season and most Canadian teams play this event as their first event? Who knows? But hey many of the international teams competing are in the same boat, slipping those sliders on for the first time competitively. Perhaps there really is no figuring out why too

Whatever the reason (or lack thereof), the 2019 Oakville Fall Classic was a slide backwards towards ending the curse.

Friday 30 August 2019

#Curling S1920 W6

#BetweenTheSheets: The Canada Curse in Oakville?
Can Canadian teams finally reclaim the podium on home ice?


Summer is over. Fall is here. Welcome to Labour Day long weekend rock heads.

Can you believe we are already saying good-bye to our summer months and hello to September? School is back in session. Golf season is winding down. Holiday's are over. But curling is here to sweep away your possible fall blues and get you excited for the shorter days and colder nights.

This week the #wct makes a stop in Oakville, Ontario for the #OakvilleFallClassic. This event is celebrating it's 5-year birthday as a tour stop and is quickly becoming the perfect fixture on the calendar as the starting point to the season.

But who is really seizing the advantage of this early tournament? If history has taught us anything it is to never ignore the past and use it to learn for the future. With that being said, is there a Canadian curse on the ice in Oakville?

Tuesday 27 August 2019

#PowerRankings W5

#BetweenTheSheets: Updated Power Rankings
Who were the #INturn and #OUTturn performers of the week?


Helllooooo curling. You are back. Rock heads are happy. The world is at peace.

Ok the world is 100% NOT at peace, far from it, but from a sports perspective we can say we are at peace because our favourite athletes are getting back on the ice playing our favourite sport. Everyone is happy. Everyone is winning. Yes?

This is also our first real Power Rankings update of the season. With three events taking place last weekend, and some top contending teams hitting the ice, we get to finally put Year II of the ranking system into effect.

But before we get into that, how about we mix it up with a new format?

Friday 23 August 2019

#Curling S1920W5

#BetweenTheSheets: Hits, Draws, Guards...Oh My!
The curling season has officially hit the ice....under the August sun?!


Can you believe we are in the second-last weekend of August and celebrating the true slide out of the hack for the 2019/2020 curling season? Temperatures in some parts of Canada this past week reached +30C or higher yet here we are already talking about the start of a season for a winter sport.

Shots and hits. Beaches and Draws. Sun and ice. It is all going down this weekend rock heads.

And. Here. We. Go.

Tuesday 20 August 2019

#SeasonPreview

#BetweenTheSheets: Olympics, Rivalries, Celly's....Oh My!
Is now the time to rev up the intensity of our sport?


Helllllooooooo red rocks, blue rocks, yellow rocks and more. We are on the tail end of August meaning we start saying our sad goodbye's to summer but squeal a bit with excitement for curling season.

Polish your rocks. Assemble your broom. Pebble your ice. The 2019/2020 curling season is ready to leave the hack.

We have A LOT to talk about in the annual season preview blog post rock heads. Start looking ahead to the 2022 Winter Olympics (already...geez). A call-out for teams to step up their social media game and fan interaction by calling out the opposition and learning to really celly on! And of course we have predictions, predictions, predictions. Plus you heard about the new #TwineTime podcast right?

Welcome to the #TwineTime 8-end Season Preview! As the notice says, this preview has been approved for ALL audiences.

Friday 16 August 2019

#PowerRankings W0

#BetweenTheSheets: Updated Rankings Reminder
Debut of the 2019/20 season Power Rankings and #TwineTime podcast


The 2019/2020 curling season has technically started rock heads. Action has hit the ice across the pond in Japan the past few weeks. But the season will officially cut the opening ceremony ribbon next weekend when many top men's and women's teams take the ice at events in Manitoba and Switzerland.

Consider this blog post your friendly reminder on a few changes to your regularly scheduled curling program, brought to you by the TwineTime blog.

Last season the blog introduced a new proposed ranking system. The system was used throughout the season to make for a more transparent and objective Power Rankings. Teams were rewarded for successful results. Teams were rewarded for consistent results. Teams were rewarded for smart scheduling. Now we enter Year II of the proposed system and there will be some important changes to understand heading into the new season.

But the blog also has some additional exciting news to share. TwineTime is now a PODCAST!

More info on where to find the podcast, a reminder on how the new rankings system works and the debut of our first #PowerRankings of the season can be found in this Week 0 blog post.

Welcome back rock heads

Sunday 21 July 2019

#BetweenTheSheets: 'Dear White People....'
New documentary polarizing the curling community




When word of a new curling documentary discussing the evolution of the sport in the US was making its way around the curling rings there was great anticipation for the final product. Team Shuster winning Olympic gold has been, well, a gold mine for USA Curling.

Interest in the sport skyrocketed during the 2018 Winter Olympics. The #TeamUpset result captivated the hearts of American sports fans and helped slide the sport to the forefront of Olympic coverage. The opportunities to #growthesport were abundant. More clubs were getting green lit across the nation. Learn to Curl classes were filling up and people were talking about curling. And not in a joking way but in a "did you watch curling last night?" water cooler way. The sport was right up there with the NHL, NBA and NFL.

And then the title dropped for the documentary. Were we watching an episode from the upcoming new season of the Netlix show "Dear White People"?

Tuesday 25 June 2019

#MenOfCurling 2020 Picks

#BetweenTheSheets: The Men of Curling Calendar Edition
The blog makes recommendations for who should strip it down in 2020



They're baaaaaaccckkkk! The Men of Curling calendar will make its return in 2020 rock heads. It is official. After the success of 2014 and 2018, 2020 will bring forward a fresh new batch of ripped athletic muscle for your viewing pleasure. Not to mention an actual calendar devoted to curling where curling events are listed each month. And of course, the real reason we support this initiative is the numerous charities and causes each selected athlete chooses to donate their fundraising dollars to.

Muscled, half-naked (or more?) men? Check!
The sport of curling highlighted? Check!
Raising funds for outstanding organizations? Check!

What more could you ask for curling fans?

Tuesday 28 May 2019

2019 #GoldenGranite Award Winners

#BetweenTheSheets: Golden Granite Award Winners
The full list of who took home the big awards this season


With this season introducing many new #GoldenGranite Awards to centre ice, it made more sense to have one blog post just focused on the announcement of the winners and nominees.

ICYMI the introduction to this year's award ceremony, including a few highlights of this past blogging season, can be found HERE.

There will be 15 awards presented this season. The first award was presented in the introduction blog post: Social Team of the Year. The remaining 14 awards will be revealed here with a new category announced daily. Check back each day to see the next category nominees and winner.

Lets get to it.....

Monday 27 May 2019

2019 #GoldenGranite Awards

#BetweenTheSheets: The 2019 Golden Granite Awards
Returning categories. New categories. More nominees. More winners.


With the Arctic Cup competition coming to a completion this past weekend, the 2018/19 curling season has come to an end. O-FFIC-IAL-LY!!!

When we add it all up the season will be one for the history books. But how will it be remembered? The first post-Olympic season is always a wild card year. The Olympic cycle does not start. New teams are formed. Old teams have one last season to figure out if they still like each other enough to make a run at the next Winter Olympics. And change can prove successful or halted before sliding too far into the game.

Who were the big winners of the season? Who waved the ultimate #TeamUpset flag? What nations stood out? And who underperformed? What were the hot topics and cold misses of the year? There is only one way to answer all these questions.

Welcome to the #TwineTime Annual Golden Granite Awards!

Friday 3 May 2019

#PowerRankings FINAL

#BetweenTheSheets: Last. One. Standing.
Who stands alone on the apex as #1 for the 2018/19 season?



The time has come. The moment were we collectively shed some tears. The stones are being put away. The ice is melting. The broom bags are in the closet. And the smelly gear, from jersey to pants to lucky socks and boxers, are FINALLY going to get washed! Ok maybe some of those tears are a result of bad odor and are tears of joy from those around us.

A curling season that began back in August 2018 has come to a close in May 2019. 10 months folks. 10 months of competitive curling. Amazing.

There has been a lot of talk about the length of the curling season but lets save those conversation for the off-season. We have a few months to debate new ideas and theories. Plus we will *probably* have some major #FreeAgentFrenzy to discuss. But not today curling fans. Today we celebrate a season which enters the history books.

As the sun sets on the 2018/19 curling season, which teams and which nation stand tall above everyone else as #1? Time to find out rock heads.

Wednesday 24 April 2019

#ChampionsCup Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Champions Cup Preview
Saying goodbye and a final delivery to the 2018/19 curling season




🎵🎵 Goodbye my friend
I know you're gone, you said you're gone
But I can still feel you here
It's not the end
Gotta keep it strong
Before the pain turns into fear
So glad we made it
Time will never change it, no no no 🎵🎵


Oh the memories. We have had a season of up's and down's rock heads but it is the end of April. The inevitable is now upon us. We must deliver our final stone of the curling year and say goodbye to the 2018/19 season.

As the Spice Girls song above references, we knew it was coming. We knew it would happen. But it doesn't mean the feeling is any less sad. From celebratory fist bumps to consolation hugs, from cheers to tears, it has been quite the year. But we must keep our head's up, our brooms on the ice and our sliders clean to remember the moments of the season. Results aside, we celebrate the sport of curling for another year.

Welcome to the Champions Cup! The event to close out the season and help us say goodbye. Before emotions take over, lets get excited one last time and close out this year with a bang....or a triple runback in-off double? Anyone?!? Bueller?

Friday 19 April 2019

#WMDCC2019 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Mixed Doubles Relegation?
Historic 48 nations competing this year but change is coming



Easter weekend is upon us. April is almost over. May is right around the corner. Can you believe it rock heads? Our curling season is actually coming to a close.

The final world championships of the year will take place this week in Stavanger, Norway when the World Mixed Doubles and World Senior Curling Championships hit the ice. The season began in August and here we are late April preparing to crown our final world champions.

I'm not crying....you are crying. Lets get to it...

Wednesday 17 April 2019

#PowerRankings W28

#BetweenTheSheets: To Blog or Not To Blog...
Plus the #PowerRankings sees a new change while crowning another




To blog or not to blog...should that be the question?

What is the role of a blogger? What are the expectations? Should there be a desired outcome? Do blogs give a voice for the people by the people? Should they tow the line? Should they be honest? Where is the line between criticism and being a jerk?

Recently there has been a string of debates on social media about non-traditional media (ie: bloggers, podcasts) and the role they play in sport. Reading the tweets sure makes you think internally about what role #TwineTime really plays on this grand sheet of ice.

Thursday 11 April 2019

#PowerRankings W27

#BetweenTheSheets: King Niklas = GOAT?
Plus NEW men's, women's and nations power rankings


Every sport has its GOAT. No, no not the athlete on the team who goes back for double or triple helpings at a buffet line and will eat anything. I am talking about THE GOAT...The Greatest Of All Time.

GOAT conversations happen all the time in sport. The debate rages on as sports media and fans discuss who is the true GOAT. We all know Wayne Gretzky is the GOAT of hockey. Tough to argue against Roger Federer for tennis. Michael Jordan for basketball. Tiger Woods in golf, although some would say Jack Nicklaus or other greats. After his Super Bowl win this year Tom Brady seems to have cemented his legacy even more in the GOAT conversation.

But what about curling? Who is the GOAT of curling?

After a dominating world championship performance last week it might be time to name #KingNiklas the curling GOAT.

Thursday 28 March 2019

#WMCC2019 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: The Madness Comes To Lethbridge
Which nation can slide through the "Gateway of Opportunity"?


Let the madness continue! #MarchMadness on ice jumps across the pond from Denmark to Canada for the next big international event.

Last week we wrapped up the women's world championship with a fitting final between two powerhouse nations: Switzerland and Sweden. In the end Switzerland's Team Tirinzoni would prevail over Sweden's Team Hasselborg and claim the world title.

The final was entertaining, filled with great shots and an extra end for the championship. The entire week of competition truly was madness as teams fought for playoff positions. One nation made history in a good way (Korea winning bronze). One nation fell into unfamiliar territory (Canada failing to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1999). Either way, we witnessed a week of curling madness...and we loved every spinning rock moment.

But as one rock comes to a stop another must be delivered. The women lit up the ice and now the men will take centre sheet as the World Men's Curling Championship gets underway this weekend in Lethbridge.

You are not getting tired of championship curling yet are you? Stay with us rock heads....the madness sweeps on!

Saturday 23 March 2019

Rylan Kleiter

#BetweenTheSheets with Rylan Kleiter
"Do you wanna play video games?"


The #TwineTime blog has developed a rich history of adding champions into the #TwineTimeFam. We have Grand Slam of Curling champions. We have Canadian junior curling championships. We have U-SPORT champions. We have world champions. We have Olympic champions. We have world junior champions. We have provincial and territorial champions. We have mixed doubles champions.

Well time to add another champion to the list folks, another World Junior Curling champion!

Welcome to the fam Rylan Kleiter.

But don't think the recent world championship win has gone to the young man's head folks. Sometimes you just want to kick back, text a buddy and ask "Do you wanna play video games?"

Tuesday 19 March 2019

#CMDCC2019 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: The Frenzy in Fredericton
Canada's best duos head to New Brunswick chasing a national title

March Madness continues folks. We have the World Women's Curling Championship underway in Denmark right now. And this week the madness on ice continues back in Canada as we get set to crown our next #TeamCanada, this time in the discipline of mixed doubles.

32 teams have qualified for the #CMDCC2019 and will compete for the right to represent Canada at the upcoming World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Norway next month. Can our defending champs successfully #DefendTheIce? Could past champions emerge to reclaim the throne? Or could we see a #TeamUpset duo surprise the field and snatch the gold?

Get ready for the Frenzy in Fredericton! And always remember the theme for mixed doubles: #NoLeadIsSafe.

Saturday 16 March 2019

#WWCC2019 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: The Skirmish in Silkeborg
Top women's curling teams battle for world supremacy in Denmark



The #MarchMadess continues rock heads!

No I don't mean the preparation for the upcoming NCAA basketball tournament (although this blog is a HUGE fan of that event as well). We are talking about the world championship excitement on the ice every March.

March is the penultimate month to the curling season. March is world championship month. Last week we crowned new world wheelchair curling champions. This week we prepare for the women's world championship in Silkeborg. And we end the month with the start of our men's world championship in Lethbridge, Alberta.

March is curling madness!!

Wednesday 13 March 2019

#PowerRankings W25

#BetweenTheSheets: Weekend Runback
Bye bye #Brier2019 & #WWhCC2019 + NEW Power Rankings



What a weekend! Who was sweating more this weekend? Alberta curling fans? Ben Hebert from sweeping? B.J. Neufeld from watching the time clock tick, tick, tick away with his skipper in the hack? I would not want to be doing the laundry for those boys Monday morning.

We can probably safely assume the only one not sweating was our 2019 Brier champion skip Kevin Koe, who appears calm, cool and collected all game regardless of shot difficulty or time constraints. Besides time is relative right?

What it is time for though is a little #TwineTime runback of the hot topics from this past week of curling action. We have the Brier to discuss but also crowning a new world champ at the World Wheelchair Curling Championship. AND finally some new (and debut) Power Rankings!!

Wednesday 6 March 2019

#Brier2019 Midterm Grades

#BetweenTheSheets: Making The Grade In Brandon
Big Red returns to fill out the midterm report card



It's BBBBAAAACCKKKK!!!

My trusty friend Big Red returns to hold those accountable for their actions and reward the good while scolding the bad. Some teams are making the grade. Some are just doing the bare minimum to avoid failure. And some, one in particular, is on the downward slide towards failing. There is no bell curve in place here folks. Your actions and results on the ice speak for themselves.

It is report card time at the 2019 Brier and this blog is ready to do some grading.

Sunday 3 March 2019

#WWhCC2019 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: World Wheelchair Curling
Championship Preview
Stirling, Scotland welcomes the best wheelchair curling athletes



Can you smell that curling fans? The smell of gold is in the air this time of year. The weather is cold. The curling houses are active. And the world championship rocks are spinning. February and March are exciting times for curling athletes and fans alike.

Last week we watched the #NextGen athletes hit the ice at the World Junior Curling Championships. This week we get to watch our sport's best para-athletes take over centre sheet at the World Wheelchair Curling Championship.

Wednesday 20 February 2019

#STOH2019/#WJCC2019 Midterms

#BetweenTheSheets: Midterm Report Card
Who is making the grade at #STOH2019 AND #WJCC2019?


Is it reading week for some of our future leaders, curlers and Olympians right now? The time where they can put down the textbooks, the highlighters and the notepad and go live life and have fun? Well yes rock heads it is reading week. And what perfect timing. Those young minds can hit up their closest arena and curling club, get some exercise and enjoy the fundamental game we love: curling!

But alas it is not a holiday week for everyone. We also have some pretty major curling competitions going on right now on Bluenose Island. Nova Scotia is hosting the 2019 Scotties Tournament of Hearts and 2019 World Junior Curling Championships. For those young minds who cannot (or will not) venture outside, at least they can chill on the couch and watch some great curling right?

For some of us media types (ha like how I just self-appoint myself a curling media member there?!) the work picks up more steam than ever trying to jostle coverage of two major events at the same time. It is why, for this special blog post, both events will be facing Big Red.

Sunday 17 February 2019

#WJCC2019 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: World Junior Curling
Championships Preview
Can Team Canada #DefendTheIce in Liverpool, NS?


Grand slam events. Tour events. National championships. They are all important during a curling season. But there is something extra special and extra exciting when you get to throw your national flag on your back and compete to represent your country.

Starting this weekend, 10 junior men's and junior women's teams will know that feeling. Some have experienced that feeling before. Some will feel that sense of national pride for the first time. Regardless of resume, all 20 teams will come out ready to chase world championship glory and fight to have their national flag hung and their national anthem played at the end of the event.

Welcome to the 2019 World Junior Curling Championships!

Friday 15 February 2019

#STOH2019 Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Heart's Aflutter With Scotties Fever
Special Guest Michelle Englot talks her career and breaks down the field


Valentine's Day may have just come and gone but your little curling hearts should be beating faster than normal for the next week rock heads. You all know what February means right? It is time for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts!!

Time for the best Canadian female curlers to hit the ice and put the entire season of hard work, dedication, practice and training to the test in an attempt to become the next #TeamCanada and book their spot at the upcoming 2019 World Women's Curling Championship in Denmark.

But you know an event of this magnitude with a field full of experience could not be tackled by one lone curling fan and blogger? Oh no, we had to call in the big guns to help us navigate the field and preview the entire event.

We are set to welcome out newest member of the #TwineTimeFam: Michelle Englot!

Thursday 7 February 2019

Playdowns Preview III

#BetweenTheSheets: Playdown After Party
The playdown preview rages on into after party hours



Rocks are spinning. Brooms are sweeping. Drinks are pouring. Victories are being celebrated. Tears are being wept. Seasons are being ended. The playdown party is raging on for another week folks!

When the party officially kicked off a few weeks ago we were starting down the path towards crowning provincial/territorial champions and filling in those blanks on the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and Tim Hortons Brier bingo square. Excitement was at an all-time high and everyone was in the party mood.

Last week the playdown party hit the coveted midnight mark. You know the midnight marker at a party. Everyone is feeling a bit more buzzed and loosened up. The party arrow is pointing to the far right on the fun meter. And, even though you have been at it for a few hours, you know you have it in you to go a few more.

This week, we enter the after party. Your first location has made the last call announcement and now the lights have come on. But you aren't done. You want the fun to continue. Tired? Sleep is for the weak when you are in party mode. Now we need to find the after party. We drop off a few friends who cannot keep going and the true hardcore party animals line up for the extended part of the evening. This is where we are now. Welcome to the Playdown After Party!

Friday 1 February 2019

Greg Smith

#BetweenTheSheets with Greg Smith
Smith brings his own style of energy and excitement to the ice



If you watched the Brier last year in Regina, you may have heard about a young 21-year old skip from The Rock stealing the hearts of curling fans in the arena. With dance move reactions, high jumps and the occasional leg kick, Greg Smith warmed the ice with his flare for the sport.

Welcome our newest member of the #TwineTimeFam: Greg Smith.