Back from the Pacific International Cup

WE are BACK from the Pacific International Cup, hosted by the Richmond Curling Club in beautiful British Columbia.

We won 3 and lost 4, losing all 4 to Canadian Teams and one of our wins was against our friends the Aussies !

So there you go, great time as always, great competition as always, and that's about it - right ?

OH HELL NO !!

CURLING is more than just the actual game, that's why those that curl get so hooked, it's also about the social aspect of the game. Curler's love the social side, and nobody throws a bonspiel or an event like the PIC (Pacific International Cup) quite as well as Canada. The PIC is special, just ask any of the BC teams that had never been before, but now vow to return next year. The PIC is a gigantic celebration of the best of club curling.

We Texans delight in the fact we are allowed to compete and try our skills in the PIC. This year was special for us as we missed getting here last year - AND - for me personally, I was given a huge honor.

During the official opening ceremonies teams march down both sides of the 8 sheet ice, following 2 Piper's and 2 RCMP's, cross and form two lines and then are lead forward by the Piper's and RCMP's to a designated point.

Some speeches given by the founders of the PIC, the Mayor of Richmond, Leigh Armstrong (Canadian Champion), singing of the National Anthem, and so forth. That's when the ceremonial scotch is brought on ice, then Jim Mann steps back to the mike and says he would like one curler to step forward to represent all the International Teams, so would Dan Johnson of Texas please step forward.

Holy Moly...I froze, surprised, and had Andy pushing me saying that's you go on go on...at least that's what I remember.

So I joined them on the platform and joined in with the drinking of the scotch, everyone was shaking my hand, I was HUGELY honored to be included in such a ceremony and my team mates were very excited for me.

It is a major highlight of my very short curling life, if you thought I was possessed with curling before....it's worse now.

Of course once we got off the ice all the guys said HEY....you started drinking without us...you got a head start....and every other silly thing you can think of.

The scotch, BTW, went down smoothly, and made me feel warm and fuzzy afterwards. LOL

Can you believe it ? I wonder what brand of scotch that was ?

The PIC has 20 Men's Teams and 16 Women's Teams, I am possibly exaggerating, but I think the 8 BC Men's and Women's Teams have more play down games to get to the PIC than we have in our entire season.

Right across the street from the Richmond Curling Club is the Vancouver Olympic Oval ! Walking distance, so the PIC was organizing tours of the Oval, giving us all a first hand look, up close and personal, very cool of course and don't plan on parking within even a mile of this Oval during the Winter Olympics. You will be catching a mass transit train instead.

Draws started Wednesday afternoon, Thursday was curling, Opening Ceremonies, curling and that evening was the fan-tab-ulous banquet. Friday was curling, nothing but curling, from 7am to really late PM. We had 5 on our team, me being the eldest. which I took advantage of by announcing I would GLADLY give up my spot on the 7am game. HEY it's seniority - can you blame me ?!





We went looking for breakfast after that 7am game Friday and found this place....

What can I say ? I'm shameless, and seemingly everywhere....hahaha


Saturday was curling followed by CASINO NIGHT ! Or perhaps I should say the CASINO NIGHT PARTY - heavy on the PARTY !! We won 2-3 million $, combined our winnings with another team and were bidding on loot. It was great all the teams were together all in one place everyone having a great time, talking about how organized the PIC was, how they were ABSOLUTELY finding a way to get back here next year.

Speaking of bidding on loot....these two somehow bid and won the lovely frock's they are wearing....altho I am not sure at the time if they even remembered taking this picture - and they sent it to me ?? HAThat's Matt on the left from Australia and an all around good guy and good curler. Nick on the left, my skip, a very good curler and having a great time - OBVIOUSLY !!

There was one other special thing that happened, after the games were stopped and before the bidding on loot began they announced the Sportsmanship Awards. These awards were voted on by the teams, Men for Men and Women for Women. We were selected as the Men's Sportsmanship winner ! Team TEXAS ! I cannot remember the name of the Women's team that won but here we are all together and having a grand time I might add.

Where's John ? Hmmmmmmmm



Ok Here's John, having fun over at the OVAL, all around great guy and excellent curler. I don't know why he is not in the previous picture, but if YADRANKA ever sends me the pictures she took - I know he is in her camera....isn't that right Chester ?

The Pacific International Cup is all about club curlers, it is unique, it is highly organized and the Winners (both from Okanagan) are now headed to the Dominion Club Championship in Toronto in September !

The PIC is special and we love it and plan to return next year.

Cheers and Good Curling !