Pictures from the sunlife Classic

It took me a while but I finally got through my curling pictures taken in Brantford. I hadn’t talk about it on the blog but you can guess that it was quite an experience and an adventure: not only I decided to go only 2 days before the tournament started but it’s not like it is right next door. It is even only on location that I made my hotel reservation for my stay.

It was great to be there and gave the girls a high five or a hug after matches instead of texting them a few words. It was great to see how people are supportive and amazing to realize that when fans talk about a match it’s : "we scored 2, or we were stolen 2 or we played tomorrow morning at 8.30am". Some people drove hours to make it there. A guy even has Cheryl’s name tattooed on her forearm.

People knew who I was : “are you the girls that post for them?” not that my “coach” pass was telling anything but they just knew. They were asking me favors, telling me that I am doing a good job and hope that I was going to share my pictures. Even Team Bernard driver wouldn’t have left without telling me but she didn’t have to because the girls looked for me. That was awesome... I hope to do it again.

Thanks the volunteers to have been so nice to me. Thanks to the fans for their support and thanks to Cheryl, Susan, Lori and Jennifer: I know it wasn’t your best tournament, but it was great to hang on with you.

To see my favourite picture of the tournament, visit team Bernard gallery and yup, they will be more to come.

Team Bernard Exclusive

As you know, I was on location in Brantford. Not done yet with all the picture of Team Bernard but i figure it's always good to make the pleasure last. I don't know if you like black and white - I personally love color better - but sometimes, it is just nice to vary. Here are some of the fourth match in Brantford.

Sunlife Update

So, that will be it for Team Bernard at the Sunlife Classic. Yesterday's match against Potter didn't end for our Girls either. The 6th end could have turned things around –and it did but not in their way- as they had 5 stones in the house and only one blue in, but conveniently place for second shot. At the time, it was 5-3 potter and they wanted to get the big hit to score more than 2 If Bernard last rock manages to find the house and pushes the opponent stone away, but 21 ends later, call it fatigue or whatever you want, she wasn’t sharp enough and hit a guard to score only one.

They were very disappointed, losing is always a pain, but in early round, on matches you should have won, this is just so sad. We were all sad. They started strong this season, so, a lot of expectation from them but they will come around and come back stronger at their next tournament this weekend as we learn more by losing.

I took thousand of pictures, still sorting them out. I will put them on our facebook and blog, and the best on our Gallery. Of course, i will keep a couple for my personal flickr. I will let you know in time when it will be done.

Sabrina, don’t forget to contact me via facebook. I will try to keep my hand of the bargain.

Sunlife Update

Have you even been robbed of a victory ? well, that what happened in this fourth match against strong. It had been a tough match, nothing was easy, but Bernard had set the perfect table to steal the winning point and even Strong, once her last stone was thrown thought she had lost it, but it managed to push away Team Bernard stone enough to win in the most dramatic way. So the girls had to get back on the ice in 10 minutes, in another club, with this feeling still in their chest. That a short delay to refocus and stay positive.

Sunlife Update

Rendezvous at the Brant curling club in early in the morning. I arrived a little late but still got a spot right behind them. It was a match with ups and downs, but at the end, it was Bernard being the most consistent. They did what they had to do to win. Make the final Team Bernard 6 Team Holland 4. Now the day wasn’t over as we move to another curling club 3 hours later. A little time for a little nap and back on action at 3pm against Team Strong.

Sunlife Update

You always have to wait for all the other matches are over to go out there. We were still at the same curling club, this time on sheet 1 and I got the whole corner to put my stuff and update right from the ice. Those who follow us from facebook, could actually get the score before it gets online. I decided to go on the ice to take picture and watch the rest of it from there.

I could see the girls weren’t at their best but still, manage to make it 5-5 in the seventh end but Middaugh had the hammer coming home and set up a perfect trap to get 2 so, Bernard slides to the B event and played at 8.30am in the morning against Team Holland.

Sunlife Update

She had it ready, and I got a “coach” pass to wander around and go wherever I wanted with access to the ice. I was on time for Team Bernard match; I even bumped into them at my arrival. I got to meet the girls and then, when to get the best spot near the ice.

First thing you have to know, is that this tournament is played in 3 different locations – the Brant curling club, the Brantford Golf and Country Club and the Paris Curling Club. Our first location is The Brantford Golf and Country Club. Nice location and very nice People. Lots of volunteers around to make sure the players got everything.

And there they were downstairs, warming up and getting ready to hit the ice. The teams got 10 minutes on the ice to practice, as it is always in these events. Their opponent was Smith Dacey, who defeated Team Bernard earlier this season so that was sure going to be a great battle and it was. Team Bernard was consistent and I remember one of these great hit and roll for 2 Cheryl had to do on her last rock in the fourth end to take a good lead to which they hold on all match match.

Next match up against Team Middaugh who is on a nice streak, Girl you gotta be careful to night.

The livescore says 7-4 but was it actually 7-3? lol but now, being on location, I understand that it is not always easy for those updating the livescore – that’s why it takes time at times : because the players wait before adding their score on the board and only them really know. If we assume, like I once did, we are sometimes wrong.

I’ll be in BrantFord with the Girls

It was a last minute decision, but i got my 2 day off: I’ll be heading to Brantford to night and i’ll be there on time for Team Bernard first match. I might have access to the ice and with my new baby, no doubt i am going to make great pictures. I doubt i'll be able to report from the ice, but i'll try to keep you posted through facebook! See you then!

SunLife Draw

Lot of big team are making it to Brandford. Team Bernard is on the bottom part of the draw (qualifier 2) and they have a relatively hard way there but if they are able to stay focus and play a good curling, they sure have a good chance to make it to the playoffs.