#BetweenTheSheets: Power Rankings - W12
Entered the Asian Domination Era?
As Canadian curling fans come out from a holiday weekend, the blog hopes everyone was able to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and give thanks and love to those around them.
There certainly was a lot of curling over the long weekend for Canadian curling fans.
But many may be left asking, for a Canadian holiday, was it was another continent who had all the celebrations?
We knew going into the season the Asian teams would be coming for those titles.
Japan. South Korea. China.
Watch out!
But this past weekend really showcased not only how strong the region is but how deep it is as well.
On Championship Monday, we saw 4 finals on the ice. 3 involved a Japan vs. Korea battle. The 4th involved China.
Korea took the last laugh in winning 2 of the 3 finals while China did prevail in their lone final appearance.
But it is not JUST about making the finals and winning tour titles that make the Asia Domination Era a real deal.
Look at the playoff brackets.
At the Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic, of the 8 playoff teams, Japan had 2 teams (Team Fujisawa, Team Nakamura) and Korea has 1 (Team Gim).
At the Stu Sells event, the women's playoff bracket saw 2 Japanese teams (Team Kitazawa, Team Yoshimura), 2 Chinese teams (Team Han, Team Wang) and 1 Korean team (Team E. Kim).
For the Stu Sells men's event, 2 Korean teams (Team Park, Team Jeong) and 1 Japanese team (Team Morozumi) reached the playoffs.
And at the McKee Homes Fall Curling Classic, China has 2 playoff teams (Team Fei, Team Zou) and Japan had another (Team Hirata).
When we look at just those 4 big tour events this past weekend, there were 32 playoff teams collectively. Of those 32 teams, 14 represent the Asian continent.
Of the 14, Japan had 6 playoff teams while Korea and China each with 4.
For perspective, of those 32 playoff spots, 15 were Canadian.
From a numbers perspective, it may seem advantage #TeamCanada on having more playoff teams overall.
However, Canadian teams also drastically outnumber the amount of Asian teams competing in those fields so statistically (and realistically) there SHOULD be more Canadian teams in those playoff brackets.
But how many Canadian teams reached the finals? Only 1 (Team Parent in Airdrie).
And that is just on the men's and women's tour. How about mixed doubles?
Well there was a MD tour event this past weekend as well. Who emerged victorious? Japan!
Add it up and it is 2 titles for Japan, 2 titles for Korea and 1 title for China. In one weekend!
We can attribute the success of curling in Asia to the most recent Olympic Games being held in Korea (2018) and China (2022).
With the success of the sport at both of the Winter Olympics, Asian nations have thrust a great amount of support behind the sport. And not just in the financial aspect either (although that certainly helps).
We talk about #growthesport from many different perspectives with many different ideas but are we at the cusp of seeing an Asian takeover?
Not that we should complain or minimize their successes either. These teams are outstanding.
Having been to a few tour events already this season in person, including commentating numerous draws this past weekend at the Autumn Gold Curling Classic in Calgary, I can attest to these teams being as good as advertised.
These results are not by accident or luck. These teams are playing week in and week out. As they say, "No rest for the wicked" right?
And right now, the Asian nations are the "wicked" in the most positive sense of the word.
How can Canadian teams, and even European and/or American teams, keep up with them? Well, isn't that the NEW million dollar question?!?!
Whatever the answer is or becomes, it better happen sooner rather than later. Right now the 2023/24 curling season has entered an "Asian Domination Era".
Of course, we will also see if that era continues when the Grand Slam of Curling season kicks off next weekend at the Tour Challenge.
As the blog says...#StayTuned 👀👀
Time to toss the runback to summarize the weekend action.
#TheRunback
🥌 Stu Sells Tankard (W) - Team E. Kim (KOR) def. Team Yoshimura (JPN): A championship match between 2 teams who reached the final with identical 5-1 records. Both reached the playoff bracket with 3-1 RR records. Team Kim's path the championship included playoff wins over Team Wang (QF) and Team Han (SF), proving to be the thorn in the side of Chinese curling this weekend. For Yoshimura, they picked up playoff wins over Team Froud (QF) and Team Mann (SF) to end any hopes of a Canadian champion in Barrie.
🥌 Stu Sells Tankard (M) - Team Morozumi (JPN) def. Team Jeong (KOR): Team Morozumi ensured it would not be a Korean sweep in Barrie when they took the title over their Korean opposition. Morozumi went 3-1 in the RR to reach the playoffs and then picked up wins over Team Hoesli (QF) and Team Fournier (SF). For Jeong, they went 4-1 to reach the playoff bracket and secured Ws over Team Park (QF) and Team Purcell (SF) to reach the final.
🥌 Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic (W) - Team Gim (KOR) def. Team Nakamura (JPN): The champs were able to #DefendTheIce, taking the shortest path possible to take home the title once again. After qualifying via the A-side, Gim scored playoff wins over C-qualifiers Team Hunkin (QF) and Team B. Peterson (SF). Nakamura went the opposite route, navigating the long and tricky path of the #CSideGrind to reach the playoffs. Once in the playoffs, they knocked off A-qualifier Team Fujisawa (QF) and B-qualifier Team Brown (SF) to make the final. Gim also won the special Skins Game between the 2 A-qualifiers, defeating Team Fujisawa $800 - $300 after an extra end draw to the button.
🥌 McKee Homes Fall Curling Classic (M) - Team Fei (CHN) def. Team Parent (AB): The current world junior champions from China celebrated their 1st World Curling Tour title of the season in Airdrie, AB. Fei took the long road to the playoffs, surviving the #CSideGrind. But once there, they knocked off A-qualifier Team Hirata (QF) and B-qualifier Team Adams (SF) before winning the title. For Parent, they took the opposite road to the final, qualifying A-side and picking up playoff wins over C-qualifier Team Zou (QF) and B-qualifier Team Jacques (SF).
🥌 Prague Open (M) - Team Ribotta (ITA) def. Team Pfister (PHI): The Pool B top teams ended up facing off again in the final. It would a reversed result from the RR though with the Italians winning the game that matters most over their Philippines counterparts. Ribotta entered the playoffs with a 3-1 record after taking their opening game loss to Pfister. They would knock off England's Team Retchless (QF) and Latvia's Team Truksans (SF) to get their second shot at Pfister. For Pfister, now representing Philippines after representing Switzerland for a number of years, the team reached the playoffs with a 4-0 RR record to earn the SF bye. In the playoffs they would defeat home favourite Team Klima (SF) to reach the final undefeated. A great debut result for the Philippines though, led by the Pfister brothers Marc (skip) and Enrico (second). Klima defeated Truksans to claim the bronze medal.
🥌 New Scotland Brewing Co. Women's Cashspiel (W) - Team Adams (NB) def. Team Christanson (NS): Chalk up a perfect 5-0 weekend for the New Brunswick foursome and a tour title on their Atlantic Canada neighbour's ice. Adams went 4-0 in the RR to earn the bye to the final before taking down Christanson for the 2nd time in the event. For Christensen, the new look team went 3-1 in the RR to reach the playoffs and defeated NL's Team Godsland in the SF.
🥌 New Scotland Brewing Co. Men's Cashspiel (M) - Team Grattan (NB) def. Team Mosher (NS): Make it a New Brunswick sweep in Nova Scotia this weekend with Grattan following the slider of Adams in taking home the title. For Grattan, a new look team in their 1st event together, they squeaked into the playoffs with a 2-2 RR record and knocked off previously undefeated Team MacDougall in the SF. Team Mosher was #TeamUpset on the weekend, reaching the playoffs with a 3-1 RR record and defeating Team Comeau in the SF.
🥌 Regina Highland Rocktoberfest (W) - Team Ricci (SK) def. Team Mitchell (SK): Similar to the men's final, the women's final would be an A-qualifier rematch. Unlike the men's final, this time the A-qualifier game loser would earn their revenge. Ricci reached the playoffs via the B-side and scored playoff wins over B-qualifier (and #TwineTime Team Upset) Team Orsted (QF) and C-qualifier Team Kozma (SF) before taking home the title. Mitchell, after qualifying A-side, knocked off C-qualifier Team Just (QF) and A-qualifier Team Inglis (SF) in the playoffs.
🥌 Regina Highland SaskTour Spiel (M) - Team Kalthoff (SK) def. Team J. Heidt (SK): Kalthoff put together a perfect weekend to claim the SaskTour title, going 6-0 overall. After qualifying via the A-side, Kalthoff defeated C-qualifier Team Derksen (QF) and B-qualifier Team Bryden (SF) to reach the final. For Heidt, he lost the A-qualifier to Kalthoff but rebounded the qualify B-side. In the playoffs, they defeated A-qualifier Team Knapp (QF) and C-qualifier Team Laycock (SF).
🥌 German European Trials (M) - Team Totzek (GER) def. Team Kapp (GER): The Best-of-5 trials went the full distance with Totzek capitalizing on scoring a big 5 in the opening end of the decider and never letting go of the lead. Totzek did win the opening game of the series but saw Kapp win the next two to put them on the brink of elimination. Totzek won the pivotal Game 4 to force the decider. Totzek will now head to Aberdeen, Scotland to represent Germany at the 2023 European Curling Championships next month.
🥌 Mixed Doubles Super Series (MD) - Team Matsumura/Tanida (JPN) def. Team Walker/Muyres (CAN): The Japanese duo was perfect on the weekend en route to claiming the title in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Matsumura/Tanida went 5-0 in the RR before collecting playoff wins over Team Nedohin/Nedohin (QF) and Team Gill/Hewitt (SF) to reach the final. For the Canadian combo of Walker/Muyres, they reached the playoff bracket with a 4-1 RR record and proceeded to score playoff wins over Team Birchard/Morris (QF) and Team Homan/Tardi (SF).
Ready to see how the blog did with last weekend's #TourLifePredictions?
🥌 Stu Sells Tankard (W) - 6 of 8 qualifiers, including 1 finalist.
🥌 Stu Sells Tankard (M) - 4 of 8 qualifiers, including 1 finalist.
🥌 Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic (W) - 5 of 8 qualifiers.
🥌 McKee Homes Fall Curling Classic (M) - 5 of 8 qualifiers.
🥌 New Scotland Brewing Co. Women's Cashspiel (W) - 1 of 3 qualifiers, including the runner-up.
🥌 New Scotland Brewing Co. Men's Cashspiel (M) - 2 of 4 qualifiers, including the winner.
🥌 Regina Highland Rocktoberfest (W) - 4 of 8 qualifiers.
🥌 Regina Highland SaskTour Spiel (M) - 5 of 8 qualifiers.
Overall, the blog predicted 32 of 55 qualifiers, only sliding out of the hack with a mere 58% accuracy. On top of that, only 4 finalists. At least there was 1 winner (Thank You Team Grattan!).
Quite a below average week for #TwineTime I would say. And the grade has to reflect that I suppose.
And, for complete transparency, the blog will show a summary of the grades received for the predictions.
W11 - C
Bring on the mountain!
And our mountain range is growing rockheads. Welcome the 1st Mixed Doubles Power Rankings!!
Remember the parenthesis number behind each team is where they were ranked in last week's Power Rankings post.
#PowerRankings
MEN
1. Team Mouat (LW: 1)
Last Week: Did Not Compete (DNC)
The Scots return to action this week in Dundas before the Tour Challenge the following week.
2. Team Whyte (2)
Last Week: DNC
See above.
3. Team Retornaz (3)
Last Week: DNC
See above...again.
4. Team Dunstone (4)
Last Week: DNC
Hmmm, there may be a theme going with no Top 10 teams competing this past weekend. This will be a quick mountain to summarize.
5. Team Gushue (5)
Last Week: DNC
6. Team Carruthers (6)
Last Week: DNC
7. Team Edin (7)
Last Week: DNC
8. Team Bottcher (8)
Last Week: DNC
9. Team Brunner (9)
Last Week: DNC
10. Team McEwen (10)
Last Week: DNC
Honourable Mention: Team Morozumi, Team Hoesli, Team Craik, Team Schwaller, Team Sluchinski
WOMEN
1. Team Homan (LW: 1)
Last Week: DNC
Enjoying the view...for now?
2. Team Tirinzoni (2)
Last Week: DNC
3. Team Einarson (3)
Last Week: DNC
4. Team Wrana (4)
Last Week: DNC
The Top 4 retain their spots. But now the mountain gets a shake up below.
5. Team Yoshimura (6)
Last Week: Stu Sells Tankard - Finalist
Consistency, consistency, consistency. Reaching 4 finals already this season earns rewards on Power Rankings mountain. And the Japanese team continues to climb.
6. Team Gim (NR)
Last Week: Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic - Champions
There is the Team Gim the blog has been waiting to see all season. Not only do they #DefendTheIce in Calgary but they do so undefeated against a very strong field. They are getting in fine form heading into the #gsoc season and the upcoming Pan Continental Curling Championships. If you want to rewatch their final victory, including #TwineTime in the commentary booth, check it out HERE.
7. Team Morrison (5)
Last Week: DNC
8. Team Black (7)
Last Week: DNC
9. Team Hasselborg (8)
Last Week: DNC
Spots 7 - 9 see each team drop a bit but only due to inactivity and the great play from Team Yoshimura and Team Gim this past weekend.
10. Team Han (NR)
Last Week: Stu Sells Tankard - SF
The blog warned you at the start of the season this Chinese team would be a threat. 3 events completed. 1 title. 2 SF. And they own a season record of 16-4. While they may sit #50 on the world rankings, if we look at their points earned for just this season, they are ranked #17. Watch Out!
Honourable Mention: Team E. Kim, Team Fujisawa, Team Strouse, Team Wang, Team B. Peterson
MIXED DOUBLES
1. Team Matsumura / Tanida
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - Champions
When you win one of the strongest mixed doubles events of the early part of the season, and do so undefeated, you earn the inaugural spot atop the mountain.
2. Team St-Georges / Asselin
Last Week: DNC
They have been a busy duo, already competing in 3 tour events and winning 2 titles. Not to mention a QF appearance at their season opener. They are on a 12-match winning streak right now too. Plus, they are preparing to represent Canada at the upcoming World Mixed Curling Championship.
3. Team Skaslien / Nedregotten
Last Week: DNC
They won a strong event in Tallinn, Estonia last month and continue to be one of the best mixed doubles duos in the world.
4. Team Walker / Muyres
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - Finalist
A strong weekend of curling for the Canadian duo, now specializing together in only this discipline. They have to be considered one of the early season favourites for the Canadian MD title.
5. Team MacMillan / Middleton
Last Week: DNC
Speaking of duos with a hot hand right now, how about this combo out of B.C.? 2 events in. 2 titles secured. And they have a season record of 14-1. Impressed? You should be! Welcome to the #TeamUpset of MD curling right now.
6. Team Roenning / Braenden
Last Week: DNC
The defending Norwegian champions and world bronze medal winners have only stepped on the ice for 1 tour event. But they reached the final before losing to main Norwegian rivals Skaslien/Nedregotten. Still a solid start the season when you reach a final undefeated at your opener.
7. Team Kaldvee / Lill
Last Week: Mixed Doubles Super Series - DNQ
After a strong season opening bronze medal win at their home event in Tallinn, Kaldvee/Lill struggled this past weekend in Sherwood Park. They missed the playoffs with a 2-3 RR record. Of course their 3 losses just happened to be against 3 of the 4 SF at the event too so....
8. Team Martin / Laycock
Last Week: DNC
The Sasky pair has had a strong start to their MD season, posting a SF result at the Summer Series event in August and a Sask Tour title in Saskatoon last month.
9. Team Zheng / Pietrangelo
Last Week: DNC
The mountain is giving love to the #NextGen duo from Ontario. And the results speak for themselves. This team is 10-4 on the season, having reached 2 finals in their 2 tour events. Sure they came up short in those finals but they did lose to 2 teams ranked above them on the mountain (#5 MacMillan/Middleton and #2 St-Georges/Asselin)
10. Team Armstrong / Griffith
Last Week: DNC
We may have only seen this B.C. duo hit the ice once this season but it was a successful won (get it, won/one?), winning the title in Winnipeg at the end of August. And doing so with only 1 loss to boot.
Honourable Mention: Team Ramsfjell/Ramsfjell, Team Adams/Robichaud, Team Perret/Rios, Team Gill/Hewitt, Team Homan/Tardi
Agree? Disagree? What would YOUR Top 10 look like?
Share your thoughts with the #PowerRankings and reveal your Top 10 mountain on social media or in the comment section below.
#StayTuned
This is a MASSIVE weekend of curling action. There are numerous tour events hitting the ice as some teams prepare for next week's #GSOC Tour Challenge event.
PLUS, get ready to crown our first world champion of the season as the World Mixed Curling Championships get underway in Scotland.
The blog will return later in the week with all your #TourLifePredictions.
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