CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy
First came the fury. Now comes the disbelief.
A day after a Canadian men’s curler unleashed an expletive-laden denial over a rules violation, the country’s women’s team faced the same accusation—and responded with stunned silence.
In the first end of Saturday’s match against Switzerland, officials called a foul on Canadian skip Rachel Homan for “double-touching” her stone after releasing it. Switzerland went on to win 8-7.
The call added fuel to a controversy that has divided the curling community at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Late Friday, Swedish curler Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian men’s player Marc Kennedy of the same infraction during Canada’s 8-6 win.
On the ice, Kennedy repeatedly used profanity while denying he broke any rules. Although video appeared to confirm the violation, Kennedy maintained his innocence and accused Sweden of having a “premeditated” plan.
The women didn’t erupt like their male counterparts. But their incredulous expressions said everything.
For Canada, the double-touch controversy has now touched both teams.
By James Kisoo
