Sunday, December 9, 2001
Class of the field
Burtnyk calm and collected
By JIM BENDER -- Winnipeg Sun
REGINA -- On the one hand, there is the obvious crowd favourite.
Not only has Manitoba's Kerry Burtnyk survived a cancer scare for the second time but throughout his illustrious curling career he has oozed class.
And this week was a perfect example. The former world champion stumbled to an 0-3 start at the 2001 Canadian Curling Trials but stoically faced the media in post-game interviews and told the truth. His foursome just wasn't playing well enough to beat some of the world's best.
He didn't slam a single broom, kick rocks or get impatient with queries. Nor did he blame the slow start on his recovery from cancer surgery. Yet, he did answer questions about his recent ordeal patiently and without dramatics.
Then, Burtnyk rediscovered the on-ice magic that led to four provincial titles and two Brier crowns. Supported by third Jeff Ryan, second Rob Meakin and lead Keith Fenton, Burtnyk rattled off seven straight wins and stands one victory away from capturing the Olympic glory that had only been a dream when he faces Alberta's Kevin Martin in the men's final at the Agridome today at 12:30 p.m.
"It's certainly been a tough year for Kerry with all he's been through and it (going to the Olympics) would be a pretty nice way to finish off for him," Ryan said yesterday.
NOT LIFE OR DEATH
One wag even suggested that his could be the stuff of Hollywood scripts.
"But I think you can only damage yourself if you start to think about the overall picture before the game," Ryan cautioned. "We'll just have to play our normal game. It's not life or death, no matter what the outcome is."
His skip has already faced that situation.
And playing for a guy who's been through that war has helped Ryan keep a steady hand.
"I was a nervous wreck in '97 (trials) because it was such a grind and that doesn't do you any good," Ryan said. "I'm not nervous at all this time, although I might be before the game.
"But Kevin will have to play very well to beat us."
And they are, oh so close.
"When we lost the Brier final (last year), I said if there was only thing I could win, this is the one," said Burtnyk, who spent yesterday afternoon on the waterslides with his two daughters.
And, on the other hand, there's Martin. Although he is actually quite personable, some fans likely still haven't forgiven him for that "filthy broom" fiasco during the 1991 world championships in Winnipeg, when he settled for a silver medal. Then he failed to win any kind of medal in the 1992 Olympics, when curling was still a demonstration sport, or the 1997 world championships.
And, as the World Curling Players' Association president, he is the spokesman for the Grand Slam renegades.
But now with third Don Walchuk, second Carter Rycroft and lead Don Bartlett he's still one heck of a curler. Martin has won two Briers, is a master at Skins Games and has already had a sniff at the Olympics.
"I think that any time you get a taste of something as large as the Olympics, it gives you a little added incentive to go back," Martin said. "It's absolutely the biggest sporting event on earth. So getting an opportunity to go there again means a great deal to me.
"If there is an advantage (today), I guess that's it. But it's too difficult to win this final and think about that."
And Martin has a great deal of respect for his opponents.
"They're capable of shooting 95% and that's the scary part because you can go out and shoot as good as you can and it might not matter," he said.
RUMOUR MILL: There are whispers here that Saskatoon will bid for the 2004 Nokia Brier.
2002 Games Curling Coverage
