After watching the pregame discussion on CBC a momnet ago, I was troubled by the comments from Rick P of the USCA. Perhaps I misunderstood him, but it seemed as though he said the US curling has taken a step backwards. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we win the bronze last year and bronze at the Olympics??? How can we call that a failure. I'm sure the USCA wants to fund ONE team only and train them through the whole year, but I think that is a huge mistake. Rick is a great guy, but he needs to give some credit to the progress we have made. Plus, the entire curling world has gotten better, give the other countries some credit too.
It should be proof to the USCA that funding only a few teams is a mistake. They've wasted $50,000 on a team that hasn't made it to the semi's the last two years for the men!
Ricky must be feeling the pressure from the USOC. The drumbeat of "GIVE US MEDALS OR YOU'LL BE TREATED LIKE HANDBALL!" echos in his head. It's easy to get intoxicated on past medals but we live in a world that says "What have you done for me lately?".
USCA is in strange position. We're not like China/Sweden/Norway/Germany etc., where the numbers are so small you can get away with the "one-team" concept. However, we're not like Canada either that just drips with perpetual talent (like a factory, just crank them out).
We're more like Scotland or Switzerland (kind of). A handful of competitive teams that jockey for position every year. For the US women it's about 2 teams that could mix it up on the international level with some expection of a medal. For the US men, maybe 2-3???
But even then, Scotland and Switzerland do a lot more funding and support. Either the USOC will treat us as an "oddity that gets ratings" or they'll just shove us to "B" status. The competition for funding is tough and there are a lot more "sexier" sports lining up with their hands out.
I spoke with Rick last week and I think there might be some slight mis-interpretation of what he meant. He and I spoke about the other countries taking a big step forward, whereas the US hasn't made the big strides. I think the US is moving forward but at a lesser pace than say, China. The funding issue will always be there. Who and how much? I think the bigger question is getting better competition for our elite teams, which may go back to funding. You want to be the best, you gotta play the best, on a regular basis. Two or three spiels a year won't cut it anymore. The Canadian teams get that training every weekend. There are alot of clubs that have provincial qualifiers as members that play each other on a weekly basis. That just doesn't happen in the US. I think Disher's team has an advantage being so close to Canada and more competitive spiels. Not to take anything away from Craig and crew, they won when they had to and are a very good team. Same with Birr last year. Dish seems to be snake-bit tho being runners-up year after year. I believe they are the best US team week in and week out but can't get the monkey off their backs at nationals. So you can argue that they aren't the best in the US, but they consistently play more and better competition and their Nationals record proves that. Sounds like they are going to make one more run next year with the trials involved, we'll see what happens.
Ride it like you stole it!
pebblehead