How to be a better Curler

This weekend, the Scotties will start. We, fans of curling, will watch it, and that includes members of Team Bernard. As Cheryl says herself in a radio interview once, it does help improve your curling to watch some no matter your level.

Speaking of radio interview, Cheryl did a 3 parts interview “how to be a better curler” with CBC local radio station.

Here are the links of these interviews if you missed them when they first aired:

Part III - December 20th, 2011

Part II - November 22nd, 2011

Part I - October 7th, 2012

Alberta Scott Provincial

That is going to be a tough tournament in Alberta, like it is always in this province, but even more so this year since 6 teams are in the top 10, our Squad leading, despite being seeded second. Team Bernard will have a lot to do if they want to win this and here are some quotes from Bernard and Olson-Johns.

"It's going to be exactly like any other big event when you have that many good teams - you have to get a little luck, you have to get a little hot, and you have to love the ice, and then things work out," but you can't look too far ahead when you go into it because of the level of the field. It's unbelievable; every game will be hard." -Cheryl Bernard.

“It just speaks volumes of the depth in Alberta curling. You look at this field and anybody can be on the podium at the end of this week. That’s what makes it so exciting. You’ve got to be at your best to win.” -Lori Olson-Johns.

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

All our best to our lead who celebrate her birthday today.
Hope you are having an awesome day Jen!

Dairy Queen 2012 Expo

From January 11th to January 15th, Cheryl is spending the week in San Diego with Dairy Queen at their 2012 DQ Expo. She will be playing anyone who will want to at Wii Curling!

Jennifer

To learn more about Jennifer visit Team Bernard website. This picture came from the first match of Team Bernard, still in the Sunlife Classic competition back in November. More will be added soon in Team Bernard Gallery.

Lori

To learn more about Lori visit Team Bernard website. I took this pictures during the Sunlife Classic. You can always visit Team Bernard gallery to see the best one.

Susan

Took by me on the ice in Brantford. It was during Team Bernard second match on November 18th.

Just Because...

During the Sunlife Classic, practing before the first match: on the ice with Team Bernard.

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.

Comment from the Skip

It has been a really good half for Team Bernard, even more so that is was a new team Bernard. They started strong with 4 straight participations in playoffs and now have a spot for the provincials in Alberta, acquired in their last tournament with a quart final participation.

Here’s comment for our Skip about their promising first half.

“Its been a great start to our year with the new team! Jennifer and Lori are amazing women on and off the ice and have incredible work ethic – we are lucky to have them as part of Team Bernard. For Susan and I this is our 11th year playing together and it’s great to still feel that same drive and love of the game and competition that we always have. Susan and I are both enjoying the challenges that come with new players – it’s always a work in progress, but that’s what keeps you motivated!”

Team Bernard Gallery

Team Bernard gallery added a few goodies lately. When I reminded you of it in November, i didn’t know that I would head to Brantford to take my own pictures and have a great time with the Girls on Friday. The tournament last a little less longer than we thought, so we couldn’t do everything we wanted to, but I sure brought back home hundreds of pictures. I haven’t sort them out all of them yet but it sure make the pleasure last longer.

Here are some more exclusives but visit Team Bernard gallery for the very best.

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.

Boundary Ford Classic : Quarter finalist

As things happen on the ice, Team Bernard went home as a quarterfinalist this year. Under the circumstances, it isn’t so bad since Bernard had earned a spot in the provincials even before the day begins by qualifying in the playoffs.

Things looked pretty bad after 3 for Bernard who was behind 0-4. With a lot of effort and consistent play afterward, they managed to turn things around and lead 6-5 after 8 but Chyz came back and scored 3 taking a 8-6 lead and our squad ran out of rocks in the 10 ends with no other choice to shake hands.

As it is always after a loss, they were pretty disappointed, especially that they felt they were playing really good this weekend, but today wasn’t their best day, unfortunately. Team Bernard as now a little break and will come back in January for a bonspiel in Airdrie before the big event.

This is a well deserved rest for our girls. The first half of the season was totally hectic and recording 5 playoffs out of 7 tournaments this is most certainly quite impressive for a new team – well, for any team as a matter of fact. Bernard will take the fourth position on the CTRS ranking behind Ovorton-Clapham, Jones and Middaugh.

I won’t stop posting, maybe not just every day: I got many pictures to share from the Sunlife Classic since i was there on location, Cheryl will take part of a few off ice events and I will probably dig in my treasure box for some uncovered jewels while patiently waiting for our team to get back on the ice.

Stay tuned!

Boundary Ford Classic Update - in the playoffs

Efficient, that might be described best Team Bernard today. On the first match, they were meeting Team Sonnenberg. A strong start, scoring 4 with the hammer, kinda “hammered” they opponent right from the start. They were cautious for the rest of the game, trying to minimize the mistakes and stay consistent resulting on keeping that lead till the end of the match. Team Bernard wins 7-4.

On the second game, it was a rematch against Team Galucha who defeated Team Bernard on their first game but this one was the qualify through the B event so, they didn’t let that one go, but, it wasn’t that easy. At some point, Team Bernard led 6-2 until Galucha started a comeback - a little bit like Bernard had done on the first match - to level the game at 6-6 after 7. However, back with the hammer, Bernard got a deuce and stole the 9 end and finally won 9-6 to get a spot in the playoffs. Well done Team Bernard!

The quarter final match starts at 9.00am (mt) against Team Chyz. Enjoy the game Ladies!

Boundary Ford Classic Update

They were close last night, and they got it right today: 2 matches, 2 wins. First match was against Team Eyamie. A steal in the fourth and fifth ends made the big difference, giving Bernard a sufficient lead with a final score of 7-4.

In the second match, Bernard had the lead 3-2 after fifth and went on with a series of steal and confirmed a 7-2 against Team Campbell.

The next 2 matches will be played back to back. Next opponent is Team Sonnenberg at 1pm (ET) on Sunday.

Boundary Ford Classic update

It was a slow start, and then they bounced back, they even got the lead for a short moment but their opponent managed to steal the extra end. They were so close. Well, everything is good for now as they will compete in the B event tomorrow against team Eyamie in the morning at 9.00am (mt). A good night of sleep ladies, and you'll win your first one! GO GO GO

Happy Birthday Lori

I am a couple of hours early, but in case I forget it, it is Lori's birthday on November 24th. They are heading to Lloydminister this weekend, maybe she can pay herself a treat and be part of the winning team this weekend. ;)

Have a great one Lori!

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.