Who’s in Cranbrook?

Carolyn Darbyshire answered the call Kleibrink gave her once again but this time, she has to fit different shoes : she is the lead of Team Kleibrink. Chelsea Matson decided to stay in Saskatchewan to be with her father who is having some health problems.

Our Silver medal second, was known to be one of the best hitter in the women’s game and it’s been a while since she hasn’t play as a lead. "I'm playing a lot more draws. A LOT more draws. I threw a lot of draws in practice on the weekend, just to get the feeling of it, and a lot of hack-weight shots for the tick shots."

Darbyshire played second earlier this season with Kleibrink for 2 tournaments – this time as a second and the team had a streak of 13 victories. She will probably continue on as a second for a while as Bronwen Webster is expecting her first child in March.

Canada Cup Memories

Well, the Canada cup is on its way on Cranbrook, BC - Team Bernard isn’t competing BUT that doesn’t mean that you can’t watch. I am sure the girls will take a peek this weekend so can you. That doesn’t mean either that we can’t go back on time and view images and videos about Team Bernard participation in that tournament. They usually do good there and I am pretty much sure that they are going to have a shot at it next year but for now, you might like to take a look here to see some great pictures, stats and score.

Canada Cup Pictures

I don't know for you, but I am getting really exciting about the Continental Cup which stats on January 13th... A few days more! Last event Team Bernard participated in was the Canada Cup, so, why not a couple of pictures more.

Canada Cup Pictures

For all the action in images, go the the Canadian Curling Association Website.

Canada Cup Article

Morning Cup Article

See the cover of this article here.

Canada Cup Update : Team Bernard Runner-Up

Team Bernard didn't win today, but they can be happy, they did play great curling this weekend, but Lawton was just better today, a little bit more consistent. Some comment of our Skip about this loss.

“They never were behind the T-line. I really noticed that,” said Bernard. “They were always getting rocks in there, and we were always chasing, and we weren’t quite making it. And you’ve got to be the other way around with them” .

“Losing still feels horrible. It wasn’t our best game, for sure, and those guys were having a great game,” added Bernard, whose team took home a $15,000 consolation prize for second place, plus another $3,200 for their round-robin exploits. Not bad at all at say.

“We even said after the third or fourth end that we had to start having them chase us, and we never, ever got there. The ice was a little straighter, and we just never got the shots in there first.”

That’s huge when you’re in such a tight game. I think if we could have kept the game close, we would have eventually got an end where we were making them chase us,” said Bernard. “But giving up a three on that ice? It was the weight I wanted to throw. We just kept thinking it would curl, and it just didn’t. It was a different sheet of ice than it had been all week.”

* edit: Ok, i need to explain my prior title, that was, Team Bernard Vice-Champion. In French, there is this expression for the team, athletes, or whomever that finish second. I think it's a positive way to indicate a positive event: even after losing a final, making the final is a great thing.

Another Morning Cup Cover for Team Bernard

They Girls are playing right now and it's a very tight game. Let's go Team Bernard Let's go!!!

Canada Cup Update : Team Bernard straight to the final

(Full credit to the Canada Cup Photograph. Visit Canadian Curling Association gallery for more pictures)

It was another great battle against Team Kleibrink, as it is always between these two teams but at the end, it is Team Bernard that got the best out of it winning 6-4. This great victory allows our foursome to avoid the semi-final and win a ticket straight to the final. TSN is broadcasting this event this weekend, and between you and me, even if i am anxious to see them LIVE on TV again, i don't mind at all waiting tomorrow as it is going to be a match for title.

Canada Cup Update: Draw 9 - Team Bernard 7 Team Holland 1

(Full credit to the Canada Cup Photograph. Visit Canadian Curling Association gallery for more pictures)

Very efficient I'd say! Not even 7 ends and Team Bernard sent to the locker room Team Holland. They did carry with them the momentum from the previous match. So, at this time, we still don't know against which team they are going to play tomorrow morning, but they are going to play for sure. I'll keep you posted.

Up Close and Personal

If you are lucky to be there, enjoy! Hopefully, we will have a piece on video soon.

Cheryl on the cover of the morning Cup

To finish the day on a positive note, our Skip was on the cover of the first edition of the Morning Cup. Inside, a great interview with Cheryl in which she talk about the aftermaths of the Olympics, among other things. I'll post it one of these days to keep it safe, but for now, you can go read it on the Canadian Curling Association website.

Canada Cup update : Draw 3 - Team Bernard 7 Team McCarville 8

A surprising loss especially that they had the lead all the way till the very last end. No need to panic now, it was a tight match and we can be sure that they will do everything they can to keep a positive mind and come back to winning ways tomorrow against Team Nichols. This match is going to be played at 1.30pm (MT) and will be their only battle of the day.

Canada Cup Update : Draw 1 - Team Bernard 6 Team Scott 3

A wonderful way to start a tournament with a victory over a team that always gives them trouble. Cheryl played a great match holding a % above 90 most of the match. For those who would like the follow live results you can go to the Canadian Curling Association Website for it.

Canada Cup starts tomorrow

Yep, tomorrow, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Cheryl and her teammates will be on the ice at 8.30am (MT) for their first Match against Team Scott. I wish i could be there, especially that matches won't be shown on TV before the semis. If you ask me, the qualifications matches are quite something to see. I wish we could have more. You can read more about the Canada Cup or consult the 2010 draw here. But before the excitement starts, here are some captions from the video they used to promote the events.

Canada Cup Draw

Less than 10 days before the Canada Cup which will be held from December 1st to December 5th in Medecine Hat, Alberta. For those who’s been longing to see the foursome in action live on TV: that might on THAT weekend. TSN got the contract so I doubt the qualification rounds will be presented on local TV, lucky you if they do.

You can read more about Team Bernard’s performances at the Canada Cup on previous entries. Let’s make no prevision or no comment about this edition and cross our fingers that this draw will be a good one for Team Bernard. There it is along with a couple of images from last year edition.

Canada Cup Add

These days, they are promoting the Canada Cup a lot. The tournament will be held from December 1st to December 5th in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Here's a little add they are using to invite people to go see the event. I wish i could be there! But i'll be, in a way, as the event will be on tv. I'll remind you the schedule in due time.

See this entry which talks about the performances of our Girls in earlier editions of the Canada Cup with pictures and video.

The Canada Cup

The first Canada Cup (once called the Strauss Canada Cup) took place in January of 2003 at Sport Mart Place in Kamloops. This first edtion was the richest event at the time, with $220,000, split equally between the men’s and women’s competitions. This tournament officially became part of the Season of Champions in 2005. Over the years, the Cup has raised significant funds for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

The ‘Cup’ has also been the event vehicle for the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS), which ranks all of the teams competing on the World Curling Tour and usually qualifies three or four men’s and women’s teams for the event each year, joining defending Cup champions, Players champions, Brier and Hearts winners and Canada Cup East and West. In 2008 and 2009, Team Bernard did very good and managed to make it to the semis. Here’s a video of a very nice shot done by Cheryl in their last match. I also added some pictures of the 2 last editions of this tournament.

In 2008 and 2009, Team Bernard did very good and managed to make it to the semis. Here’s a video of a very nice shot done by Cheryl in team Bernard last match. I also added some pictures of the 2 last editions of this tournament.