Readers of this blog will know that I am no fan of the
Continental Cup. I’ve criticized it almost from Day 1 and in my humble opinion,
it’s not getting any better. In fact, it’s really become a joke.
I think the WCF missed the boat on what could be a
tremendous event. Right now, it seems to be nothing more than a big mixed
bonspiel for really good curlers. Lots of giggles and good-natured cheering,
both sides paling around, ad nauseam. Is there any more chip and dip? What time does the dance start again? Karaoke anyone?
Now that type of atmosphere is in part what makes curling
great. It just doesn’t make this event great. I’m all for having a fun event
involving top curlers but don’t try to pass it off as a Ryder Cup, us-vs-them
style event to which the Continental Cup is always compared. It’s not.
You don’t hear players talking about bragging rights, or of
wanting to get back at the other side next time. You don’t hear teams getting
excited about making the World team or the North American side. That's what happens in the Ryder Cup. Each side wants to win so badly, they'd sell their grandmother for a chance. There's excitement, pressure, pride and more on the line.
The Continental Cup? The fact that the World’s captain Peja Lindholm had to invoke a no-drinking rule shows you how seriously the curlers have taken this
event in the past. The fact that TSN was interviewing curlers (Niklas Edin,
Glenn Howard) in the middle of the competition on Friday tells you that this is
about as competitive as the Sunday morning Legion league, just without the knee
sliders.
And then there’s the format: a points system that is far too
complicated for the average TV viewer to follow (Team competition is worth 72
points but Skins is worth 260? Wha?), that allows one side to win before the final
day’s play begins and competitions that boggle the mind. Mixed Skins? Barf.
About the only enjoyable thing of yesterday’s play was watching Wayne Middaugh
huff and puff up and down the ice, chasing after his rocks, looking like he was
about to lose his lunch along the way.
At the risk of repeating myself as I do every year, the way you make this
better is simple. Don’t hold it every year because it loses significance. Make
the points system easier to understand with games worth single points. Add a
double-team event and get read of some of the silly competitions such as
mixed skins and even doubles.
Right now this event is fun and different. But it’s just not
important to anyone. Time for a change.
3 comments:
Agree with all your points, Bob! It is the ONLY televised curling that I don't watch all year.
Also: Make it Canada vs. the World instead of North America vs the World. A lot of Canadians have a hard time cheering for a team with the stars and stripes on their backs.
I agree with the general idea, that it is hard to take this event too seriously and the point system is tough to follow. That being said, I love watching the "unique" events like Mixed Skins (the Morris vs. Murdoch Mixed Skins game last year was great). I definitely agree that a double team event, like the Silver Tankard in Ontario, would be a great addition and would make for interesting TV.
Hey Bob, you said it well. I know that there is something about the format that needs to be fixed. So many things are right about this event, I'm sure that with some changes this could become one of the premier curling events in the world.
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