#NoTroll

#BetweenTheSheets: Say No To Being A Troll

Plus weekend previews in Norway and Japan

What is "trolling"?

Merriam-Webster defines the act of trolling as "to harass, criticize, or antagonize (someone) especially by provocatively disparaging or mocking public statements, postings, or acts."

In simple language, deliberately antagonizing someone online with offensive comments or disruptive content.

So why are we talking about trolling in a curling blog?

Curling is not immune to trolling. We see it quite often, unfortunately.

And we see it more often against female athletes in the sport.

From Rachel Homan being criticized for "not smiling enough" to other athletes suffering comments on body shaming and/or name calling.

Our Canadian athletes see trolling come out at world championship events. If we do not win gold, the trolls come out from under the bridge and let themselves be known.

And we need to put a stop to it!

Power Rankings - W5

 #BetweenTheSheets: Power Rankings Return

Welcome to the first look at the updated mountain

Welcome back!

The blog tradition returns for another season.

When I was a little rockhead watching curling and reading the results in the newspaper (that is how old I am, predating internet results), I always wanted to understand the rankings of teams and compare the results to one another.

The internet arrived and all of a sudden we were seeing #PowerRankings in all professional sports.

Look at ESPN today as an example. They have updated Power Rankings for Major League Soccer (MLS) and the WNBA after last weeks results.

College football is back and leading into the season it seems every sports outlet has been producing their own Power Rankings for the top teams chasing down a berth in the new 12-team playoff.

When #TwineTime started 11 years ago, I thought it was time for curling to have a weekly Power Rankings and join the "big boys and girls" of the sports world.

And here we are. The blog publishing weekly Power Rankings throughout the season.

Now we are seeing major media outlets (i,e, TSN) publish Power Rankings as well. A great #growthesport moment. And one the little rockhead in me loves to see.

But #TwineTime is the ORIGINAL remember 😉

Euro Super Series Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: The Euro Swing Starts The Season

From Switzerland to Scotland, the season has begun

While most Canadian curling athletes and fans are wrapping up their summer vacations and preparing for the cool Fall weather, European curling athletes and fans are heading to curling clubs to kick off the new season.

Last weekend the season opened in Switzerland with the Baden Masters.

This weekend a handful of those same teams made the trek to Stirling, Scotland for the Euro Super Series.

And it is not only the men hitting the ice in Stirling. We will see our first women's tour event action of the season as well.

Plus we have some curling action in Asia as the ADVICS Cup kicks off in Tokoro, Japan.

#TwineTime slid out of the hack for its 11th season with the Season Preview blog post earlier in the week, discussing Olympic qualification and revealing the #TeamUpset Top 5 and Pre-Season Power Rankings.

Now we shift our attention to the #TwineTimePreview for this weekend's events.

S2425 Season Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Season Preview

Qualification Time: All eyes on Torino

The 2024/2025 curling season is here!

And the 11th season of #TwineTime coverage!! Wow! It started in 2014 and continues to grow.

The new season officially hit the ice last weekend in Switzerland with many top international men's teams competing at the Baden Masters.

When the last rock came to a halt, European champions Team Mouat made #HIStory in becoming the first Scottish rink to win the title.

And with the first giant cheque handed out, it means we need to preview the upcoming season.

With the 2026 Winter Olympics a mere 18 months away, all eyes this season are on Olympic qualification.

Of course teams will be chasing down tour titles, grand slam titles, continental championships and world championships too.

But if any top team said they were not fixated on earning their Olympic rings...well check their pulse or hook them up to a polygraph.

Baden Masters Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: The Battle In Baden

An international field kicks off the season at the Baden Masters

Are you done with Summer Fun?

Over the warm sun? Gardening? Hikes in the mountains? Trips to the beach?

If so, curling is ready to welcome you back to the Ice House.

From the links to the rinks, the 2024/25 curling season is upon us.

And first up is the Baden Masters in Baden, Switzerland where some of the top international men's teams will battle it out for Baden supremacy.

Who can get their season off on the right slide? And who will slip up in the return to the ice?

Bring on the season opening #TwineTimePreview!