The Miscellaneous Sports Thread

[Syt]

[Syt]

https://worldcurling.org/2026/02/statement-rules-violations/

Rule violations clarification following men's session four in Cortina
Following the situations arising from the Sweden versus Canada game in men's session four on Friday (13 February) evening, several issues require clarification.

Use of Video Replay

World Curling does not currently use video replay to re-umpire game decisions. Decisions made during a game are final.

Delivery Violations

Game Umpires are situated at the end of each sheet and physically cannot see every delivery infraction. However, when they are made aware of delivery issues, game umpires are positioned to observe the delivery for three ends. During this period of observation in the Friday evening game, there were no violations recorded.

When delivering a stone, before the hog line players can retouch the handle as many times as they wish. However, touching the handle after the hog line is not allowed and will result in the stone being removed from play as per Rule R.5 (e) that states: "A stone must be clearly released from the hand before it reaches the hog line at the delivery end. If the player fails to do so, the stone is immediately removed from play by the delivering team."

During forward motion, touching the granite of the stone is not allowed. This will result in the stone being removed from play.

As per rule R.5 (d) "The curling stone must be delivered using the handle of the stone." Violation of this rule, will result in the stone being removed from play.

It is not possible for World Curling to have game umpires positioned to observe all hog lines for every stone delivery. However, beginning with the Saturday (14 February) afternoon session, two officials will move between all four sheets and observe deliveries.

Inappropriate Behaviour

Following the Friday evening session, World Curling spoke with the Canadian officials to issue a verbal warning regarding the language used by a Canadian men's player during the game.

During that meeting it was made clear to those officials that further inappropriate behaviour, determined by rule R.19, would result in additional sanctions.

Rule R.19 states: "Improper conduct, foul or offensive language, equipment abuse, or wilful damage on the part of any team member is prohibited. Any violation may result in suspension of the offending person(s) by the curling organisation having jurisdiction."

And I thought Canadians were nice and friendly.

[Grey Fox]

It's a common mistake.

[HVC]

And I thought Canadians were nice and friendly.

Until you give us a gun or put us on ice

[Bauer]

No gold for Canada yet, but I seem to recall in past games all our best sports were in the 2nd week.

Them Norwegians love their xcountry.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

And apparently the French live their biathalon.  I saw today that 12 of the 15 biathalon medals awarded to far went to either Norway or France.

[Syt]

Germany used to be great at biathlon. But we got three gold medals in luge, so there's that ...

[Duque de Bragança]

And apparently the French live their biathalon.  I saw today that 12 of the 15 biathalon medals awarded to far went to either Norway or France.

Fourcade made biathlon famous in France.

[Norgy]

Germany used to be great at biathlon. But we got three gold medals in luge, so there's that ...

When Uschi Diesl was competing for the DDR, a Norwegian commentator blurted out "And there she is, the border guard, ready to shoot".

Biathlon is actually quite exciting to watch. Imagine trying to hit five targets when your pulse is 160. I think the sport's roots is military training and competition gone mainstream.

The cross-country skiing is about as close as you come to some cultural DNA in Norway.

[Syt]

It's one of my favorite competitions to watch (including the regular season) and can generate a lot of drama between the racing and the shooting. A German commentator or athlete once compared it to running up 10 flights of stairs and then having to thread a needle.

[mongers]

It's one of my favorite competitions to watch (including the regular season) and can generate a lot of drama between the racing and the shooting. A German commentator or athlete once compared it to running up 10 flights of stairs and then having to thread a needle.

That's a great analogy.

[Threviel]

When Uschi Diesl was competing for the DDR, a Norwegian commentator blurted out "And there she is, the border guard, ready to shoot".
 

Uschi is the by-sitter in Swedish radio for Biathlon, she's most excellent. And she's from Bavaria and made her debut in 1990.

[Syt]

Heh - Magdalena Forsberg occasionally pops (popped?) up as expert on German TV.

[Sophie Scholl]

Canadian Curling teams are getting caught cheating and the men are using profane language! The US must be rubbing off on them.