Olympic Gold meets Ford Hot Shots

My curling story begins at the 2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts in London Ontario. I was there working as a member of the Ice Crew and what a job that was, long hours, hard work and dedication is what it took, but in the end it was all worth it for this Great Canadian Curling moment.

It was finally time for the ladies to take the ice for the Ford Hot Shots. I was standing in the ice makers usual spot near the entrance of the ice surface.

On the big screen above the ice was a live broadcast of the Turin Olympics and the Men’s Curling Gold Medal final. One particular curler seemed to be looking up more then looking at the other end of the ice where her shots were going. While there was no sound Shelly Nichols was paying extra attention it, as her brother Mark, was playing for team Canada and going for Gold. Shelley’s run for Ford Hot Shots title had come to an end and so was the game a whole world away in Italy. Shelley was standing just inside the ice surface and was watching the big screen and her brother. I realized that there was no sound and she should have the opportunity to hear what was being said so I took her to the volunteer lounge and sat with her talked with her as her brother received his Olympic Gold medal and the Canadian flag was raised to the rafters and O Canada was played. CBC ran a montage of pictures and key shots to the Newfoundland Anthem from the week that was, Olympic Curling.

It was an amazing time for me to be sitting with her watching the tears of joy fall from her eyes. Seeing the pride she had in her Country, her Province, her sport of Curling and most of all her brother Mark Nichols and the Olympic Gold medal that now hung around his neck.

It truly was amazing to sit with her and talk with her and to be able to share that Great Canadian Curling moment with her, for me I will never forget it.

With Tim Hortons being a premier sponsor of Canadian Curling. I say thanks for helping make this special moment happen.
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