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David Lindahl

May 23, 2010

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In only 32 days the sports world turns its head towards Vancouver, Canada as the 2010 Winter Olympics begin. And while many will be watching the alpine skiing, ice skating, hockey and bobsleigh events, curling, the ultimate shuffleboard game, continues its climb into prominence with some of its best teams and athletes ever.

Here's a quick rundown of the top teams and players on the men's and women's side that will start competing on February 16th with predictions for medals.

As a quick reminder, the winners of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy were the Canadians on the men's side with the team of Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, Russ Howard, Jamie Korab, and Mike Adam. The women's winning curling team from Turin was the Swedes' Anette Norberg, Eva Lund, Cathrine Lindahl, Anna Svärd, and Ulrika Bergman.

Women's Curling

Canada. As usual, Canada remains the top ranked and seeded in the women's event, as it has for many years and the favorite, but with a new team, led by Cheryl Bernard.

China. China, even though ranked fifth in the world, is second ranked in Olympic qualifications and a dark horse due its surprising rise in rankings in 2009. China got the curling world's attention with a surprising win in early 2009 at the 2009 Mount Titlis World Women's Curling Championship in Gangneung, Korea, catapulting them close to the top ten.

Subsequent play in 2009 brought China, captained by Fengchun Wan, saw the Chinese rise to the fifth spot in world rankings just ahead of the USA at sixth. China's second seed, in spite of its fifth place world ranking, comes due to the way the Olympics qualifies teams for curling. Points are assigned for performance in the three years preceding the games, namely, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and China's rapid improvement in the last two years catapulted them into the second spot.

Denmark. Although finishing fourth in the world rankings, Denmark is third seeded because of their consistent performance over the past three years.

Sweden. The Swedes are fourth closely following Denmark in ranking points. Sweden, the 2006 Winter Games winner, although only the fourth seed, should be considered dangerous because of their 2009 performance catapulting them the second spot in world rankings.

Switzerland rounds out the top five seeds, but, always being a Canadian-killer behind the efforts of Mirjam Ott, who knocked Canada out in 2006, never to be underestimated.

Top Women Players

And while, curling is a team sport, here's a rundown of the top women players on the top teams:

Anette Norberg, Sweden, has always performed well at the Olympics as her 2006 Gold Medal attests. In the past six world championships, Norberg's skipped teams have earned two golds, a silver and a bronze.

Cheryl Bernard, Canada, knocked Canadian curling queen, Shannon Kleibrink, off her throne during 2009's qualifying with a sterling 7-6 over Kleibrink's team, winning on the final end. While her team has little Olympic experience, their experience in December against Canada's longtime best, should serve them well.

Bingyu Wang, China, has performed great over the last two years leading her team to a silver at the 2008 world championships and a fantastic performance at the Continental Cup in December.

Mirjam Ott, Switzerland, has long been the Canadian-killer at the Olympics, knocking out Canada in the 2006 semis before falling to Sweden in the finals.

Debbie McCormick, USA, has used her Canadian-born background and guidance by Calgary's Ed Lukowich to a gold and silver at the world championships and is poised to lead her team to a good run this February.

Men's Curling

Canada won in 2006 and not surprisingly remains the top seed in 2010 with substantial final points leads over the rest of the pack.

While Scotland is a distant second, remains Great Britain's strongest hope of a gold medal as shown in their world championship in 2009.

The United States team led by Mark Johnson is the third seed this year. Johnson's dual citizenship being from Edmonton brings the much experience to Team USA.

Germany is the fourth seed although they were tied with USA for points by virtue of the United States higher world ranking. Led by two-time Euro champ, Andy Kapp, Germany returns to again be a potential thorn in Canada's side.

Norway rounds out the top five seeds. Only a half point below both USA and Germany, Norway was ranked third internationally in 2009 and won gold in 2002.

Men's Top Players

David Murdock, Scotland. Only 30, Murdock has shown that he is not intimidated by Canada or their skipper, Kevin Martin.

Kevin Martin, Canada. He is still the leader of the top country in the sport.

Thomas Ulsrud, Norway, has played Canadian teams very tough and has plenty of international experience.

Mark Johnson, USA, has plenty of experience being a dual-citizen from Edmonton

Andy Kapp, Germany, is a Euro champ and medalist at the world level with a cocky attitude to go with it.

Predictions

Women:

Gold: With the games in Canada and Canadians perennially being the best in the world, it's difficult to pick against them for the gold in both events. But, Cheryl Bernard who knocked Canadian curling queen, Shannon Kleibrink, out for the right to represent her country does not have the experience of Kleibrink, so this pick may be most suspect.

Silver: China looks to be the best prospect to continue their breakthrough in this sport with at least a silver, if not the gold.

Bronze: Sweden should get the bronze because of their extensive experience strong performance in 2009 and 2006 gold.

Men:

Gold: You have to go with Canada. They won in 2006 and are still the best at the game.

Silver: Scotland a team that is always among the top teams in the sport.

Bronze: USA because the strong Canadian background of their skipper.

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