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Displeased with quite a lot of unilateral choices made by Grand Slam of Curling organizers, a number of top-level curlers have voiced their considerations in an try and see adjustments on the remaining three occasions on the circuit’s calendar.
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A bunch of outstanding gamers just lately met with organizers to debate format, tiebreaker and pre-game setup changes that had been applied with out their enter on the first two Slam stops of the season.
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“Change is at all times troublesome,” Crew Homan second Emma Miskew mentioned. “I believe on this state of affairs the largest general feeling from the gamers is that it could have been good to be consulted or requested.”
The assembly was held a number of days after the latest Kioti Nationwide in Pictou County, N.S. Sources concerned within the course of, who requested anonymity given the continuing nature of the discussions, mentioned the preliminary spherical of talks went effectively.
The subsequent cease on the Grand Slam of Curling — a collection that’s owned and operated by Sportsnet — is the Dec. 12-17 World Monetary Group Masters in Saskatoon.
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Conversations had been anticipated to proceed but it surely was unclear if or when adjustments could be made.
“There are discussions and conversations happening between Sportsnet and a few gamers to attempt to discover some center floor,” Miskew mentioned. “That’s all of the gamers need is simply to be heard just a little bit in these conditions.”
On the Nationwide, some groups had been eradicated at 2-2 because of cumulative shootout numbers — pre-game attracts to the button to find out which workforce will get hammer — reasonably than conventional tiebreaker video games.
As well as, every 16-team draw was cut up into 4 teams however groups didn’t play video games inside their very own pool. The highest eight groups superior to the playoffs.
Some gamers took to social media to publicly voice their disapproval of the adjustments.
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“It’s horrendous,” lead Ben Hebert of Crew Bottcher posted on X, the platform previously referred to as Twitter. “Haven’t met a workforce/participant who likes it! Hoping for some adjustments quickly.”
Hebert declined additional remark whereas talks had been ongoing.
Miskew, in the meantime, is a part of the management group of the fledgling Curling Gamers’ Affiliation with interim president Niklas Edin of Sweden and others.
Its members and different curlers just lately signed a letter to Sportsnet in “an try and make some adjustments,” mentioned group organizer Rylan Hartley.
“I believe there’s some nice groups proper now being eradicated in what looks like an unfair method,” he mentioned. “I believe there’s loads of work to be accomplished on the prime tier of the occasion.”
A participant survey that outlined athlete preferences was additionally supplied to Sportsnet, Miskew mentioned. A community spokesman mentioned organizers weren’t obtainable for interviews and as a substitute supplied a press release by way of e-mail.
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“We’re in communication with the gamers main into and all through the season. We imagine it’s essential to experiment with codecs with a view to run extremely aggressive and entertaining occasions. We’ll proceed to evolve and attempt to do what’s finest for the gamers, the printed, host communities, and followers primarily based on our ongoing conversations.”
Kevin Koe’s workforce was eradicated by a whisker on the Nationwide because of shootout numbers. Brad Gushue’s rink, additionally 2-2, had its streak of 27 straight Grand Slam playoff appearances come to an finish.
“Disappointing, I don’t love (the format),” Gushue mentioned. “I believe most groups would agree that we’d like to have a tiebreaker.”
The world championships and Olympic Video games additionally use final stone draw numbers to interrupt ties, however these occasions use longer round-robin periods.
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“You get a greater pattern whereas on the Slams, you solely get a round-robin of 4 video games,” mentioned skip Rachel Homan. “You don’t get to play all of the groups there. You’re getting eradicated and also you by no means bought to play the workforce that moved on as a substitute of you.
“So it may be irritating.”
The timing of tiebreaker attracts can create promotional and logistical points for broadcasters and on-site occasion crews.
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“My choice would nonetheless be to play one other sport and I believe all of the gamers would say the identical factor,” Gushue mentioned. “It’s only a matter now of balancing out what’s finest for the occasion as a result of we as gamers, we need to be sure that TV works as effectively.
“However TV additionally has to be sure that it really works for the gamers too.”
A further sore level — though usually not thought of as essential because the tiebreaker/format points — was the sharing of workforce observe time earlier than video games.
“Clearly Sportsnet is a large supporter of curling and we’re grateful for that,” Homan mentioned. “We need to be sure that their format and all the pieces is sensible for an elite-level Slam collection, that it’s ranked correctly, and ensuring that the voice of the gamers is heard as effectively.”
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