Episode 34 - John Aasand

02/07/18 • 65 min

John Aassand doesn't live in the past. In 1972 four young players from Grafton, North Dakota competed in their first mens playdowns. From State to US Nationals and then to Germany, their magical run would eventually land them in the finals of the World Championship against Canada's Orest Meleschuk. Johnny at second, his brother Frank at third, lead Ray Morgan and skip Robert Labonte took a 9-7 lead into the 10th end. After what was thought to be the final rock of the game, with players preparing to shake hands, it appeared USA had won. In a dark twist, however, Labonte jumped in celebration, slipped on his landing and kicked a Canada stone. Meleschuk was awarded two points and the game went to extra ends, with Canada taking the Silver Broom trophy. John will share the story of what happened during that moment, and the repercussions for both teams in the years that followed. You'll hear stories from the Hibbing bonspiel, Barry Fry and learn why the team John skipped to two USA finals in the mid-80's was like the Oakland Raiders of the 1970's. You can watch clips from the 1972 World Championships and Bob's famous fall . After Canada failed to win the Worlds for the next 8 years, it became known as The Curse of Labonte. Here's an article on John from 2008 and if you find yourself in Grafton, be sure to check out The Extra End Bar.

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Episode 33 - Kim Kelly

Kim Kelly understands what it takes to overcome adversity. Her father in the armed forces, Kelly moved often and had to adapt to new people and surroundings every few years. The local military curling club was always available to hone her skills and make new friends. After high school, Kelly returned to her birthplace of Halifax, Nova Scotia and eventually joined Nancy Delahunt, Mary-Anne Arsenault and Colleen Jones to form one of the most successful teams of all time. From 1999 to 2004, Team Jones won 5 Scotties Tournament of Hearts and 2 World Championships, overcoming the challenges of being a maritime team who rarely traveled. Kim recalls her early years, joining Colleen, and the obstacles they faced, including criticism of their style of play. She'll take us through the struggles and triumphs during the early years, the eventual split and subsequent reunion in 2013. They would again join forces to compete in Seniors a few years later, winning Canada in 2016 and the Womens World Senior Championship in spring of last year. For more on Team Jones you can check out Colleen's book, "Throwing Rocks at Houses: My Life In And Out Of Curling". You can also watch the ceremony for their team induction into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 2011.

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Episode 35 - Pal Trulsen

Pal Trulsen was supposed to be a ski jumper. It was the sport of his father. Admittedly, Pal was a little too husky and grew tired of walking to the top of the hill for each run. At 14 he and three friends (Flemming Davanger, Stig-Arne Gunnestad and Kjell Berg) discovered a four sheet curling club and took to the sport, eventually reaching the Uniroyal World Junior Championships in 1980. They returned in 1981 and then again in 1983, where they won a Silver medal, losing to Canada's John Base in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Pal would return to the World stage as fifth man for his junior teammates at the 1992 Olympics and the Worlds in 1993. Pal finally appeared at the Worlds as a skip in 1997 and again from 1999 to 2004, taking home a Silver and two Bronze medals during that run, while also winning Gold for Norway at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. Pal shares his early experiences, reflects on his temperament, recalls playing the great teams of his era and being invited to the TSN Skins game. After we wrap, Pal adds a short story about that 2003 Skins event (held in Gimli, Manitoba) and what happened when Shorty Jenkins was brought in to make ice at Hans Wuthrich's hometown. This episode includes longer ramblings from me than usual. If you don't want to hear my thoughts on how to handle burnt stones, the longer version of what happened to the curling ice at the Albertville Olympics, or why Japanese coaches are called Wallys, you can skip ahead to 14:45 to hear my conversation with Pal. You can also watch clips from Pal's 2002 Olympic Gold medal victory on YouTube and at Olympic.org.