Friday, February 24, 2006

USA wins first Olympic curling medal

Despite the unexpected arrival of the infamous GoldenPalace.com streaker (photo) – certainly doesn't look like the legend, though, does it? – the USA was the real story at Pinerolo today, winning that country's first-ever curling medal.

Bronze to Pete Fenson and his team from Bemidji, Minn., after they defeated David Murdoch of Great Britain 8-6 for the second time in the tournament – and fourth time in Fenson's career, against no losses.

Third Shawn Rojeski after the semi-final loss to Canada:

Our first medal will mean a lot. If somebody had told us at the beginning of the week that we would play for bronze I wouldn't have believed him. Now we'll just step back a little and see what we can do.

Thanks to Bram Weinstein, radio host of Sportstalk 980 in Washington, D.C., who caught the streaker on camera and shared his photo with The Curling News. Incidentally, that's a rubber chicken hanging between the streaker's legs, and he never did step onto the sheet in play (thanks, dude). He got the loudest guffaws for making a sweeping motion to the Yanks, before head official Keith Wendorf bundled him into a jacket and escorted him from the ice.

There was only one other fellow trying to corner him before Keith arrived, and no sign of the incredible security presence which has done a great job of hassling photographers and journalists all week. Remarkable.

Elsewhere:

Nike has been getting requests for the U.S. curling unis...

• You are aware there's a Grand Slam going on, right? The Masters is underway in curling-crazed St. John's right now, with the semis and finals on Rogers Sportsnet...

• We haven't seen this guy and we also thought 1998 U.S. Olympic skip Lisa Schoeneberg was the one in charge here in Pin, but whatever...

This U.K. story published before the bronze match wins our Headline of the Day award...

Hey, look! A new Mr. Grumpypants – sorry, Ms. Grumpypants – has dared to be different and scathes the sport...

Well, okay, this one is really today's Headline award winner...

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