Game 4 vs. Minnesota 1

Huge, huge win today against the #1 seed Minnesota 1 (Norma O'Leary - last year's winner.) Score 10-4 after 9. We're now in a 5-way tie for first place. And more importantly, we're off to the hot tub to loosen up and rest up. 5 more games to go - we just need to take it one shot at a time. This is the most games I've ever won in a national championship at any position, and this is the girls' first time at this kind of event, so we're in new territory all the time now.

Photos from Games 2 & 3

Cyndy found some spectators willing to take photos for us, so here are a few from Games 2 & 3. (There are also some shots of WA and other men's games, etc.)

http://picasaweb.google.com/cynthetic/ClubNationalsGame2#

http://picasaweb.google.com/cynthetic/ClubNationals2009Game3#

Game 3 vs. Michigan

Today was a good day. With a little help from the curling gods and a 5-ender, we pulled off another victory tonight over 9th ranked Michigan. (We're the 6th seed. Don't know that the rankings are all that accurate, but whatever. Right now we're 2-1) We need to sleep fast as we have a big game tomorrow against the Minnesota 1, who are the top seed and deservedly so! My first game ever skipping in a National was against Norma O'Leary, who is skipping MN1, and I played her twice during the Trials process (won in Challenge, lost at Trials) so it will be interesting to see how this goes. They're an excellent team, but on any given day....

Game 2 vs. Wisconsin

Got a win! 8-4 over the #2 team. We had our best game ever as a team and did a great job of never losing focus. The key now will be trying to maintain that level of focus going into the rest of the week - and it is a long, long week. Game 3 is tonight against Michigan at 8 pm EST.

Game 1 - vs. Illinois

Lost 3-10 or so (7 ends.) Well! :) It was a bit of "getting started" game. This is the first game my 3 teammates have ever played at a national event and on ice like this. (Curl is up to 8' on draws and speed is 24.5-25 sec.) Even though we didn't score in the second half, we definitely had a stronger second half as folks got more adjusted to the speed. We didn't hit a lot, as hits move a few feet with control weight, but we did make all the hits we tried - which was certainly impressive. Illinois was also very friendly and a lot of fun to curl with and hang with afterwards - so kudos to them for that! :) We're all feeling upbeat and looking forward to getting back out there in the morning. Our next game is at noon against Wisconsin.

Opening Ceremonies

Sorry for the lack of posts, we've been busy sleeping and napping in an effort to get ready for tonight's game against Illinois. We had a good practice last night and attended the opening ceremonies this morning. There won't be live scoring online, but I'll try to update this site with results ASAP. We're off to the club!

We're finally back home from the Trials and I've got a few more photos ready to go. http://picasaweb.google.com/gcurling/CurlingOlympicTrials2009BestOf?feat=directlink Thank you again, everyone, for your support!