CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — It started like any other throw. Canadian skip Rachel Homan carefully released her stone during a curling match against Switzerland at the Olympics. But then an umpire made a surprising call: Homan had touched the rock after letting go of the handle. This mistake isn’t allowed in curling and had just caused a minor uproar in a previous match.
“Absolutely not,” Homan exclaimed, shocked by the ruling. Her teammates echoed her confusion, feeling it was a solid throw. Emma Miskew, the team’s second, questioned the decision, saying, “It looked really good to us.”
Despite their protests, officials confirmed the ruling. Since video replay isn’t an option in curling, the umpire’s word was final. “I guess there’s nothing we can do,” said lead Sarah Wilkes, trying to process the situation.
The stone was taken out of play, and Canada ended the first end with just one point. Even if replay had been available, footage from the broadcast hinted that Homan’s finger may have grazed the rock.
Just the night before, Canada’s men’s team had a similar clash with Sweden over a player’s touch on a stone. This has raised discussions about how such disputes affect games. The use of sensors called “hog eyes” in curling helps monitor the handle’s release, but there are still gaps—like late touches on the granite base, which aren’t detected.
In response to recent incidents, World Curling, the sport’s governing body, announced enhanced monitoring to ensure compliance with the rules. Their statement noted, “We can’t have umpires at every hog line, but we’ll deploy two officials to observe deliveries moving forward.”
Despite the hiccup, Homan and her team rallied. A steal in the second end gave them a 2-0 lead, and two points in the third pushed it to 4-0. However, Switzerland bounced back, scoring four points in the seventh end, ultimately winning 8-7 in an intense match.
As the defending world champions, Canada finds itself struggling in group play with a record of 1-3. Their journey raises questions about how athletes handle pressure and disputes on the ice, highlighting the fine line between sportsmanship and competitive spirit in high-stakes games.
Curling is a game of precision and patience. But it’s clear that even a small mistake can change the course of a match. Athlete reactions reveal a blend of passion and frustration, showcasing the intense emotions tied to these moments on the ice.
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Global Sports, Olympics
