Vancouver 2010 - Match 1 - Team Bernard vs Team Ott

We will all remember February 16th 2010 for a long time; Team Canada first match, first win, at the Olympics. Pictures, stats, a video (end 3 Carolyn first stone) and some quotes. They were officially Olympians!

Bernard confident in her team

Heading to the Olympics, there were lots of whispers being Team Bernard’s back about how they were going to deal with the pressure wearing the maple leaf for the first time in their life. It might be uncharted territory, but is not like they had never played against those international teams. In fact, they defeated some of them, including their first opponent, Team Switzerland, twice this year.

One thing for sure, Bernard Rink has proven to be a tough team to beat and able to deliver the toughest shots on key moments. Cheryl Bernard and Susan O’Connor had confined their thoughts about it to the Edmonton Journal just before their first match against Team Ott. That was on February 16th, 2010.

Team Bernard Arrival at Vancouver Airport

Cheryl Bernard talks about her excitement regarding the opening ceremony of the winter Olympic Games at her arrival to Vancouver Airport in February.

3 words that describe...

... Cheryl : Goal-Driven, determined, Adventurous.
... Susan: hard-Working, competitive, fun-loving.
... Carolyn: hard-working, competitive, family-orientated.
... Cori: Friendly, loyal, persistent.

Some words from Cheryl

An article from Sweep Magazine after Team Bernard won the silver at the Olympics in Vancouver. Cheryl's inner thoughts about their perspective and the performance as Olympians: silver medalist Olympians.

Great picture of Cheryl during their third match in Vancouver against Germany. Team Bernard won 6-5 in an extra end with a great shot by the skip: right on the bottom. I got it on video, i'll post it soon.

The manitoba Lotteries Women’s Curling Classic

Formerly called « Casinos of Winnipeg Classic », this tournament is the second slam of the curling season and it is held at the Fort Rouge Curling Club in Manitoba. It was implemented in 2004 and Team Bernard stormed out as the winner defending Team Shannon Kleibrink. Then, Cheryl was already teaming up with Susan O'Connor but the other 2 members were Jody McNabb and Karen Ruus. It was actually their last year together. Cori Bartel and Carolyn Darbyshire joined Team Bernard at that moment.

It wasn’t that easy for the 2 following years, as they failed to qualify for the playoff. But at their 2 last participations, they did have very good performances with semis (2007-08, 2009-10).

No matter the result, Cheryl always been known for her mental toughness and that makes of her a great shot-maker. In the 2007 edition of this slam, Team Bernard qualified for the playoff against Team Spencer. In the second end, they were facing 3 points, all she had to do what throw her stone right on the button. Can you do it? Well, she can. Enjoy!

Smiling Treat - Roar of the Rings

There is always going to be things to add and to say about the «Roar of the Rings», as i still got videos, screen caps and many pictures to share, but there are so many things to talk about that i am going to keep some bits for later. It is always going to be great to remember this great victory of Team Bernard and how they managed to show the world that dreams do come true when we work for them and believe in them. To close it out on a high note, until we remember it again, here’s all “smile” treat.



And while we are there, a little video of a very strong victory of Team Bernard over Team Jones. That night, Cheryl was on fire.

Phone Interview with CBC after the Roar

Few days after their win at the roar of the rings on December 12th, Cheryl took the time to talk on the phone with CBC to give her comments. Of course, it wasn’t like having Cheryl herself on the studio, but it was really nice of her to do so.

He asked many things but here are some highlights of their conversation. They talked about how long it took for them to realize that that was it, they were going to the Olympics.

"You know, so much stuff is going on since we won but I think it finally sank it the other day when i said we are going the Olympics, we are Olympians now and that something, you know, you can take away, it is going to be the ride of a lifetime".

They talked about the fact that they were the favorite to win that trials and what was the impact on their game.

"It doesn’t help you much focusing on the other team we were a little bit flying under the radar which is a nice spot to be".

They talked about their upcoming schedule and how they are going to prepare for the Olympics.

"It is going to be crazy, it is gonna be a crazy schedule, but we got a lot of strong teams around, and Olympics experienced athletes to help to us be the best we can be when we’ll hit Vancouver".

I added some screen caps from the images displayed during the interview, for your pleasure, and my own!

Team Bernard is about...

The Right Team Won

In eastern Canada, we don’t have as much as curling on TV then in the western cities, but it was impossible to miss the Roar of the Rings review at the news in December and to cheer for Cheryl Bernard and her team cumulated win after win and finally get the coverage they deserve. It had been an amazing run - covered in the latest posts. They were going there as the underdogs and as the week passed by, more and more people joined us and wanted them to win, seduced by the skilled and talented team. Thanks for the magic, Team Bernard. And everything you've been through the last few years finally payed off.

Cheryl on her team mates

The members of Team Bernard always stick together as a team. And Cheryl Bernard, as their Skip, never forgets to thanks her teammates and is extremely grateful for their support. When Cheryl smiles after a great shot she makes, it is her appreciation to them to have set the table for her.

Susan is teaming up with Cheryl for almost 10 year now as Cori and Carolyn joined them in 2005. It wasn’t always easy, losing some tough final. But that made them stronger as they had to work hard and changed their vision along the way to finally mixed together the perfect ingredients to reach stability, control and success. Every member brings something special to team making it well balanced and so strong.

"Cori's a very light person, very social, and I think as much as (the other team members) sometimes find that difficult it's the best for us because she does keep it light out there and she can crack a joke and we don't tend to be that way," she says.

Bernard called Darbyshire, who's three years older than the skip, "the mom on the team" because she tends to take charge of the planning and looks out for the members of the squad.

As for O'Connor, Bernard said it's her drive and work ethic that make her such an attractive teammate.

"You put four of the best players together and sometimes you're not friends. But we seem to have got lucky to have a little bit of both," says Bernard.

Getting to know... Cheryl Bernard

To conclude the “getting to know’” series of the past few days from the Roar of the Rings event, let’s see if they were able to reveal few things we didn’t know on the skip of team Bernard, Cheryl Bernard herself.

It had been said before, and publically exposed; Cheryl Bernard got her tattoo on her right forearm. Stay tune for more details on our ladies in future posts.

Getting to know... Susan O'Connor

To continue on the Roar of the Rings spirit of the latest post, let’s see which information they were able to gather then on Susan O’Connor, the very skilled third of Team Bernard.

Of course, there is a lot more to tell, but let’s start with that. That, and yep, Susan also did get a tattoo for their Olympics qualification.

Getting to know... Carolyn Darbyshire

Keeping in mind yesterday post, today, let’s get a little closer from Team Bernard Second, Carolyn Darbyshire by reviewing the confidences she made during the Roar of the Rings.

She was heading to the Olympics as one of the most experienced curler, which made of her the oldest Olympian, but that doesn't mean much: she was probably one of the fittest curler out there and you gotta be fit to deliver a stone like she does.

Getting to know... Cori Bartel

Since I have been following them for a while, I always suppose that everybody knows about them. But if you pass by, or you are new around, there might be slight details, funny or serious, that you would enjoy discovering about our Ladies. During the last edition of the Olympics trials, Roar of the Rings, Team Bernard answered some indiscreet questions regarding some of their habits and such. Today, let’s get to know a little bit more about our favorite Lead, Cori Bartel.

That was about 5 months ago, so yeah, there might be slight changes, like, hey, she got a tattoo now!

Roar of the Rings Winner : Team Bernard

National TV set a record with that final. Thousands of Canadians held their breaths when CheryI Bernard threw that last stone, especially when it kept sliding and sliding, and suddenly stopped! It was a great match, you got it all here and words and images.

Remember the Roar of the Rings - December 12th - Waiting for an opponent

The new perspective they applied during the latest years seems to really have worked out. There was some obvious stress out there but putting the emphasis on playing because they enjoy it will lead them to win instead of winning to enjoy it carried out some great results. And there they were waiting for an opponent in THE long waited final of the Olympics Trial which was held on December 12th, 2009. The had an amazing tournament and an amazing week!

Remembering Roar of the Ring - Shot of the Match - draw 11

It was a pure joy to see the result of Team Bernard match against Team Jones on draw 11, December 9th; 8-5. And the stone for the win, was one hell of a shot.

Cheryl Bernard - Most Beautiful Canadian

It took years for the world to discover Cheryl Bernard, but curling fans, canadian fans, knew about her: she is sweet, talented, down to earth and never take anything for granted. We, canadians, are proud of her! Today, she is among the most beautiful canadians. If you ask many, she should have earn the cover! Fire not only on ice, but off the ice! Enjoy this great promo shot!

I think i like better the candids Carla took while helping Tood Korol for this edition of Hello Magazine, but i am sure he kept some for himself. Who can blame him? I will post those candids in few days to make the pleasure last a little longer.

Remembering the Roar of the Ring

Cheryl Bernard team had won their ticket strait to the final. They had a couple of days off while the other teams were fighting to be THE team that will go against them.

Remembering the Roar of the Rings - Draw 13

Team Bernard was still undefeated til that night, on December 10th, but their place strait to the final was already secure.

Cheryl Bernard Close Up

I will continue with draw 13 of the Roar of the Rings review tomorrow, and just post a great close up of our favorite Skip, Cheryl Bernard. She was on the cover of Sweep magazine in december, visit the website, it's great. I will add the link on my side tab within a couple of days.

Remembering the Roar of the Ring - Draw 9 & 11

Remembering the Roar of the Rings - Draw 7

This all happened on December 8th. Team Bernard was still undefeated. How they say it? When you are beautiful and talented, you are also lucky! Picture, post match interview with Cheryl, article, standing, it's all there. Enjoy!

Remembering the Roar of the Rings

Yesterday, i talked about their vision going in to trials. DRAW 1 was covered already in a great pos called RIGHT ON THE BUTTON with nice pictures, a video of one of the best shots of the tournament and details about the draw. That was on December 6th. You can find it find here:

http://cheryl-bernard.blogspot.com/2010/04/right-on-button.html.

So let's talk about Draw 3 and 5, played on December 7th, in which, Team Bernard played against Team Holland and Team Webster respectively. Oh, better then that, let's Cheryl talks about it herself.

DRAW 3

DRAW 5

Complete sheet of the women's competition for draw 3 and 5.

Roar of the Rings article

There are many factors to explain the great season of Team Cheryl Bernard. You mix in all the ingredients -chemistry, trust, accountability, encouragement- but their vision and experience also made a difference at the end.

Going into the trial, it's always been, whatever happen, the sun is going to rise tomorrow. An article from the Morning Ring before the competition "Road of the Ring" started in BC. Then, they didn't know what was going to happen.

(click on it to read)