In The Final Analysis

Eve Muirhead. What a year this young lady has had (and her team!). At 22 years old, Eve has accomplished an incredible amount in the Roaring Game. She has won the World's and now has won the Player's Championship. Some would argue that this is the best team in the world today. Indeed, they would be right. And right on her heels is Team Sweden with Maria Prytz shooting last. Personally, I would have to argue that this is also the best team in the world albeit the fact that they have lost numerous finals.

One thing is for certain, Canada is no longer the big, bad wolf of curling. The rest of the world is catching up in leaps and bounds. Although this may not be the best news for Canada at face value, it IS good news for curling in general and certainly good news for international curling. Look at the Russian curling program...Team Siderova has lots of game and they will be getting better. Then there is the Czech Republic..another program that has taken leaps and bounds.

I think Canadian curling is still right up there. A transition is taking place...and the younger teams are coming into their own. Teams like Jacobs and Homan, although not winning gold are solid squads and it is teams like this that will rise to the top on the world stage. But make no mistake, the rest of the world is improving too. The Olympics in 2014 will be huge!!! And entertaining as there are so many good teams out there now.

It turns out that Epping took the last spot in the Olympic Trials which means that Jacobs and Gushue will have to qualify through the pre-trials. Not the worst news...they will have to practice hard and play well. Certainly they are capable.

Gushue's team looked good this year. They looked strong in the Brier and they played well in the Player's Championship. I think Gushue has finally found the right mix and they seem to play well together. This squad can only get stronger.

And what's to say about Jacobs that has not already been said. I hope to see them advance to the Olympic Trials and with any luck, make it to the Olympic Games.

Check this site from time to time over the summer holidays. It might be summer but there is still curling stuff to fill you in on.

Enjoy your summer. Be safe.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic