#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?
The #PACC is our first continental championship of the season and only our second championship event pitting nations against nations rather than just teams against teams. The PACC has a rich history, even if the event itself has only been hitting the ice since 1991.
Last season the blog touched on the different historical phases of the championship. From The Early Years to The Middle Years to The China Years and now The #GrowTheSport Years. Rather than re-hash the story from last year, I recommend taking a look back at the blog post last year for a good historical read.
The #GrowTheSport Years continue in 2019. There are two major additions to this years event:
- The Arrival of #Broomzilla
- The Return of Chinese Taipei Women
Chinese Taipei has been a consistent fixture on the men's draw since the early 2000's but the women have been missing in action. Welcome to 2019 folks! Chinese Taipei will compete in the women's draw for the first time since 2006, inching us closer to complete equality in the region.
For 2019, 8 women's nations and 10 men's nations will compete for continental supremacy. The regular contenders are back in both draws: Australia, China, Japan and South Korea. Qatar will once again be represented by a men's and women's team, as will Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and now Chinese Taipei.
Nigeria debuts for the men while New Zealand is the odd question mark. New Zealand continues to enter a men's team but this will be the second consecutive year with no women's team. New Zealand has won 2 silver medals (1997, 1998) and 9 bronze medals (most recent being 2011).
When we last saw a New Zealand women's team entered, the team skipped by Bridgette Becker (a regular fixture on the world mixed and world mixed doubles scene) just missed the playoffs due to the draw shot challenge TB rule in 2017.
It is a bit disappointing to not see the Oceania nation field a women's team here once again this year. Just as we move one slider into the house with the inclusion of Chinese Taipei, we move our other slider out of the house with New Zealand not entered once again. Hopefully 2020 will see full representation from all 10 nations in the region as we start preparing for the 2022 Winter Olympics in China.
Outside of continental glory, world championship spots are on the line in Shenzhen. The men's gold medal winner will qualify for the World Men's Curling Championship while the women's gold and silver medal winners will qualify for the World Women's Curling Championship.
Remember, due to South Korea finishing last the world men's championship last year the #PACC region lost one autoberth spot into the 2020 competition. For the women, Europe lost a spot in the 2020 field due to Latvia finishing last in 2019.
All hope is not lost for the other nations however. The World Qualification Event will still be an option to punch a ticket to the world championships. The men's silver and bronze medal winners along with the women's bronze and 4th place winner will earn a spot in the WQE, taking place in early 2020.
And do not forget the #PACC champions each earn a spot in the season-ending Champions Cup next April in Olds, Alberta. For some, this may be their only shot at competing in a #gsoc event.
There are a few major story lines to keep your eyes on at this event. A few big ones:
- Can Japan's men #DefendTheIce for the first time? Japan has won the #PACC title 4 times but has never been able to go back-to-back. In fact the following year after a Japanese win, Japan has failed to even reach the final.
- Can South Korea continue the back-and-forth men's championship swapping with Japan? The last four years have gone South Korea - Japan - South Korea - Japan. If history holds true, this year the title should swing back to South Korea, no?
- Can South Korea's women #DefendTheIce and claim the #4peat? South Korea has won the past 3 #PACC women's titles, two on home ice. 2019 will be the third different Korean team to go for the title in the past 3 years. The others were successful. Can Un-chi Gim follow suit?
- What about China? China has not stood atop the podium since 2014 when the nation swept men's and women's gold. The Chinese men has reached the final the past three years and lost each time. The women have one finals appearance (2016) since their gold medal win in 2014. Can either reclaim the throne on home ice?
- Can we see a gold medal sweep for the sixth time in the past ten years? China has accomplished the feat four times (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014). South Korea did the same in 2017.
- Home ice advantage for China? China has hosted the #PACC three times (2007, 2011, 2013). In 2007 they won double gold. In 2011, same result. And in 2013 the men won gold while the women took home silver. Chinese men are perfect on home ice at this event. With China failing to top the podium since 2014, can home ice be just what the doctor ordered?
- Will a #TeamUpset emerge to disrupt the Big 3? Hong Kong's women are knocking on the door, having reached the playoff the past two years and finishing in 4th place. Kazakhstan's women did the same back in 2015. New Zealand's men reached the playoffs last year for the first time since 2015, finishing 4th. And Chinese Taipei's men made their playoff debut back in 2016, also finishing 4th. If the Big 3 are playoff locks, that leaves 1 playoff spot open. Could we see a new #TeamUpset flag emerge in 2019?
#TourLifePredictions
Pacific-Asia Curling Championships
Shenzhen, China
2018 Champions: Japan (men) and South Korea (women)
Format: Round Robin with Top 4 qualify.
MEN
Australia (Team Hall) - The team is skipped by Sean Hall, who throws third rocks, but the familiar names to some curling fans will probably be Dean Hewitt (throwing fourth) and Jay Merchant (lead). Hewitt and Merchant have played together for over 6 years now, since Merchant moved from Canada to Australia. While the line-up positions and partners may have changed over the years, this duo remains the same representing Australia at the #PACC. In their previous 5 years of #PACC results the duo have finished 4th (2014, 2017), 5th (2015) and 7th (2016, 2018). With the Big 3 expected to dominate the playoff bracket once again, could this Aussie (/Canadian) duo help lead Australia back into the playoff picture and into world championship contention? Fun fact for ya, Merchant is originally from Red Deer and actually spent a season curling with Guy Hemmings in Quebec (2007) before moving to Australia.
China (Team Zou) - Zou Qiang is back and looking for some revenge after last year. In 2018 Zou skipped the Chinese team to a silver medal. In 2017 he played vice for China, also winning a silver medal. And in 2016 he played second for China, again winning a silver medal. Now he does have a #PACC gold to his credit, playing lead in 2014. 4 #PACC appearances, 4 different positions, 4 medals, 4 finals, 1 title. Can he finally bring China back to the promise land after three straight final defeats? And on home ice? We saw Zou at the two season opening events in Japan, where the team did reach the SF at the ADVICS Cup. I would not underestimate this team.
Hong Kong (Team Chang) - Jason Chang, who resides in Canada, is back to represent the mother land at his 4th straight #PACC. Chang has gone through up's and down's during his PACC experience. When he debuted in 2016 the team finished with a 3-5 record, good for 6th place. A solid debut. In 2017 the team took a step backwards, finishing only 1-7 and tied for last place. Last year, back to the 3-5 record, another 6th place finish, and only 2 games out of a playoff spot. Can Chang continue sliding forward and making movement up the PACC mountain or does history repeat and Hong Kong takes a slide backwards once again?
Japan (Team Matsumura) - The champs are back to #DefendTheIce and book the sole ticket to the world championship. Last year Matsumura really looked like the class of the field. Sure the team finished 7-1 in the RR, good for second place, but they avenged their RR loss vs. China in the final with steals in 8 and 10 to seal the victory. At the world championships the team reached the Final Four and ended up losing the bronze medal game to Switzerland. This team is the real deal. They have played 8 (8!!!) #wct events already this season and have collected 3 titles (Hokkaido, Abbotsford, Kamloops last weekend). It would be a major shock NOT to see this team playing in the gold final again this year. We know anything can happen in one game but Japan has to be considered the #Fav here.
Kazakhstan (Team Kim) - At the age of 64, Viktor Kim is back competing in his 7th #PACC. Kim is a polarizing guy at times. He can be hilarious, laughing and enjoying himself on the ice. He can also be very brash, stern and loud. Remember he was removed from a game at the 2019 World Senior Curling Championships and later ejected from the entire tournament due to an incident with an on-ice official. You never quite know what you are going to get when Kim steps on the ice. Successful results have not come easy for Kazakhstan at this event but they could make a push for a few wins here. And for highlighting the negative side of Kim, it is also worth mentioning what he has done to #growthesport in Kazakhstan. He founded the Kazakhstan Curling Association in 2013, falling in love with sport after watching it at the 1998 Winter Olympics. He is also a member of the National Olympic Committee. Did you know Kazakhstan used to compete at the European Championships? Kim represented the nation back then as well, competing from 2004 - 2006.
South Korea (Team C. Kim) - Chang-min Kim is back and looking to reclaim the #PACC title for South Korea. The last time we saw Kim compete here he won gold (2017). 2019 marks his 6th appearance overall as he chases his 4th podium finish (Bronze 2009, 2011). Since Kim did not represent South Korea at last year's event, technically he could say he is also a defending champion. He was never defeated so he never lost his title. Kim vs Matsumura. Draw 3. Sunday morning. The battle of the past two champions. That should be a battle. Kim has played 4 #wct events already this season, reaching the final in Oakville and SF in Medicine Hat. Do not sleep on this team reclaiming the gold for South Korea.
New Zealand (Team Becker) - Scott Becker will be making his 11th #PACC appearance this year. 11! He first represented New Zealand in 2007 and since then has only not competed at this event twice (2010, 2017). In those previous 10 appearances Becker has led the Kiwi's to the podium three times: Silver (2011) and Bronze (2008, 2007). Becker is also part of the royal curling monarch family in New Zealand with his father (Peter), brother (Sean) and sister (Bridgette) all winning numerous NZ championships and representing the nation at various world and continental championships. The interesting kick this year is who is joining Becker. Becker's regular playing mate Warren Dobson is back (now playing lead from second) but the duo will be joined by Anton Hood and Brett Sargon. The name Anton Hood should ring a bell from last season, no? Hood throws fourth stones for the current NZ junior champions who created history last season by winning the B-division and earning New Zealand their first trip to the world junior championship. Once there, the team finished 6th overall (4-5) and solidified their spot for 2020. This could be an interesting dynamic of experience and #NextGen. It worked last year remember. New Zealand finished 5-3, good enough for 3rd in the RR. While they faltered in the playoffs, they were the #TeamUpset story of the event. Can lightning strike twice?
Nigeria (Team Cole) - #Broomzilla has arrived! Nigeria will become the 1st African nation to compete at the #PACC. While Nigeria has stepped on world championship ice in the past, at the world mixed doubles and recently the world mixed, this will be their first continental championship. And they are representing a completely different continent at that. Expectations will be low every growing member association has to start somewhere. This will be another slide in the right direction towards the #growthesport movement in Africa.
Qatar (Team Alyafei) - 2019 marks Qatar's 4th straight #PACC appearance. For skipper Nasser Alyafei, this will be his 3rd straight opportunity to represent his home nation. In their debut, represented by Team Nabil, Qatar went 0-8. When Alyafei took over the national team in 2017, history was made as the nation collected their first #PACC win to finish 1-7. Last year however the team went 0-8 yet again to finish on the bottom of the standings. They are no longer the newcomers on the ice though. Alyafei has been here before. Nigeria will be making their debut. There is an opportunity for Qatar to record their 2nd #PACC victory, if not more this year. Qatar and Nigeria compete in the penultimate RR draw Wednesday evening.
Chinese Taipei (Team Shen) - Randy Shen is back representing Chinese Taipei and continues to be the #TeamUpset contender to crack the playoff picture. Becker and New Zealand stole Shen's thunder last year here when they went 5-3 compared to Shen's 4-4. Becker made the playoffs and earned a spot in the WQE. Shen did not. Chinese Taipei has been competing at the #PACC since 2004 but has only reached the playoff round once. Back in 2016, Chinese Taipei became the ultimate #TeamUpset story when the team, skipped by Shen, finished 6-2 in the RR to claim 3rd place. One of those victories included knocking off Japan's Morozumi in the final RR game to snag 3rd place. Shen would end up losing the SF and bronze medal game but did lead Chinese Taipei to a historic best-ever finish. Can he find the magic once again?
Projected Standings: 1. Japan 2. South Korea 3. China 4. New Zealand 5. Chinese Taipei 6. Australia 7. Hong Kong 8. Kazakhstan 9. Qatar 10. Nigeria
Qualifiers: Japan, South Korea, China, New Zealand
#PACC Men's Bronze Medal: China (Zou) def. New Zealand (Becker)
#PACC Men's Gold Medal: Japan (Matsumura) def. South Korea (Kim)
WOMEN
Australia (Team Wagner) - We last saw Lauren Wagner at the 2016 #PACC but as vice with Jennifer Westhagen. Wagner and Westhagen have swapped positions for this year's event. In 2016 the team finished 3-4, just missing the playoffs when they gave up a steal of 2 in the 10th against New Zealand in their second to last RR game. The win pushed NZ into the playoffs and sent rival Australia home. The experience factor is there and the final playoff spot is wide open. They should be in the hunt for spot #4.
China (Team Han) - What should we expect out of Han? Honestly, a bit of the unknown. We have not seen this team on tour this season. This could be a wildcard of sorts. They will have the home nation fans cheering them on but this is also the biggest tournament they have competed in. Will the crowd and entirety of the event help or hinder? For a nation that won 7 of 9 #PACC titles between 2006 - 2014, pressure is on to restore some sort of continental dominance, especially heading into the next Olympics on home ice. This should be interesting to watch.
Hong Kong (Team Hung) - Team Hung is back, competing in their 4th straight #PACC. And the results have been improving in a true #growthesport story. When Hung made her debut in 2016, the team finished in 6th place with 2-5 record. In 2017 the record improved to 3-7 and a 4th place finish. Last year the 4th place result was duplicated, albeit with only a 2-6 record. Hung has heavy world championship experience though as well, competing on Hong Kong's mixed and mixed doubles world championship team. The final playoff spot, and guaranteed spot in the WQE, is up for the taking. Hung clinched the spot last year, can she do the same in 2019? Or can she become #TeamUpset and go one spot (or more) better onto the podium?
Japan (Team Nakajima) - The #Fav without question. Nakajima is the highest ranked team in the competition, sitting #19 on the recent #PowerRankings. We have seen this team continue to grow and force Japanese women's curling into a Big 3 position (alongside Fujisawa and Yoshimura). The team has reached the playoff round in two events this season, both QF, at the ADVICS Cup and Autumn Gold. While they may have only qualified in 2 of 7 events, they have entered big events with tough fields, meaning they are battle tested. Expect to see them clinch a spot for Japan at the world championships and, likely, play for gold.
Kazakhstan (Team Alliyarova) - Skip Sitora Alliyarova is only 19 years old (she actually turns 20 just after the event) but has become the face of Kazakhstan curling for the past few years. She has represented the nation at 2 world mixed championships and the 2017 World University Games. This will also be her 3rd #PACC, previously competing in 2016 (as alternate) and 2018. Last year she finished 2-4, tied for the final playoff spot. She missed out on the playoffs due to the TB procedure. If she can put together 1 or 2 more wins this year, against a fairly wide open field outside the main contenders, she could become #TeamUpset and land the final playoff spot.
South Korea (Team Gim) - If Japan's Nakajima is the #Fav, South Korea's Team Gim is the main challenger. Gim has competed in 7 events this season, qualifying twice and collecting one #wct title (KW Classic). 2019 marks Gim's 5th #PACC appearance and she has played in the final each time, collecting 2 gold (2010, 2013) and 2 silver (2011, 2015). For all the talk around Team E. Kim and Team M. Kim, Gim seems to be flying under the radar. But why? She has represented South Korea at 4 world championships. She competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics. She has experience. She has results. She easily could bring home the #4peat for South Korea.
Qatar (Team Al-Abdulla) - Mubarkah Al-Abdulla will make her 3rd #PACC appearance in 4 years (Qatar did not submit an entry in 2017). She, and her home nation, are still seeking their 1st #PACC victory after 0-6 (2018) and 0-7 (2016) finishes. Could this be the year Qatar lands W #1? The team will see a minor change from last year as Maryam Binali joins the team at vice, making her #PACC debut. With a debuting Chinese Taipei, this could be the best opportunity to see put a W in the column for Qatar.
Chinese Taipei (Team Lin) - Welcome back! Team Lin becomes the first Chinese Taipei women's team to compete at the #PACC since 2006. What are the expectations? Gain experience, compete hard and continue to #growthesport back home for young female curlers. This is a slide in the right direction. Are they a threat for the playoffs? Honestly who knows? We don't know much about this team. Qatar is still looking for their 1st win. Kazakhstan and Australia have experience but have faltered over the years. And Hong Kong has history over the past two years of qualifying but just barely. It might only take 2 wins to book that final playoff spot again. This would be an ultimate #TeamUpset story.
Projected Standings: 1. Japan 2. South Korea 3. China 4. Hong Kong 5. Kazakhstan 6. Australia 7. Chinese Taipei 8. Qatar
Qualifiers: Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong
#PACC Men's Bronze Medal: China (Han) def. Hong Kong (Hung)
#PACC Men's Gold Medal: South Korea (Gim) def. Japan (Nakajima)
What say you rock heads? Agree with the predictions above? Disagree? Share your thoughts and predictions via the comments below and/or on social media with the hashtag #PACC.
And of course the blog wishes good luck and good curling to all the competitors this upcoming week chasing #PACC glory. You can stay up to date on all the action on the ice with live scores and so much more at the official event website HERE.
The blog also wants to congratulate Team Kovaleva on qualifying to represent Russia at the upcoming European Curling Championships. Kovaleva defeated Russian rival Team Sidorova in 4 games to 2 in the Best-of-7 qualifier series this week. It was a battle though. In the clinching 6th game, Sidorova was up 4-2 playing 9 (without hammer), forced Kovaleva to a single but then gave up the steal in 10 to tie the game. Without hammer in the extra, Kovaleva was able to wear the #StealPants again to swipe the victory and clinch the Euro berth. In fact 3 of the games went into an extra end. Another game ended with a single score in the 10th end of a tie game.
When we talk about wanting to continue building rivalries in the sport, the Kovaleva/Sidorova one could be one of the best we have. If you were not streaming the games online you really missed out rock heads!
#StayTuned
The blog returns next week with an update on the #PowerRankings as well as taking another look into the #IceBubbleWatch to see how The Masters results affected the bubble for the upcoming Canada Cup. Who are the teams on the bubble and can they make up ground at the Tour Challenge, the last event before the cut-off?
Plus there are a bunch of #wct events taking place this weekend before the Tour Challenge kicks off next week. Check up on those events at the World Curling Tour website.
AND do not forget the first major Canadian championship of the season hits the ice as well with the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Saquenay, Quebec. There are some big names competing, including Colleen Jones, Kerry Galusha, Jamie Koe (both #TwineTimeFam members) and many, many more. The winner will represent Canada at the 2020 World Mixed Curling Championships (time/location TBA) where Canada will try to #3peat after winning their first gold medal in 2018 and successfully being able to #DefendTheIce last month.
You can stay up to date on all the scores HERE. CBC will also offer live streaming of select games, including the playoffs. The streaming schedule can be found HERE. Good luck to those competing in Quebec.
Enjoy the opening weekend of my favourite month, November!!
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