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We arrived in sleepy Cortina safely.

Our four-member team arrived yesterday around 17.00 to the venue of the 2009 World Curling Mixed Doubles Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo. This well-known ski resort is out of winter season and before the summer season, so it gives a rather sleepy impression at the end of April. Right after checking in at the Olimpio Hotel, we walked out towards the hall. I personally still remember it as an open air stadium, but a few years ago the Italians roofed the main stadium with a blue metal structure, which, although it detracts from the romance of this former venue of the Winter Olympics, is certainly more practical for curling purposes. There are five curling lanes, with five stones on each lane twice with electronic handles + additional stones for setting up in the starting position. The main icemaker is Dave Merklinger, who will also be making ice next year in Cortina for the Men's World Championships. We had the Czech flag, which was hung upside down, repaired and talked to Eva Roethlisberger about EMCC 09 in Prague, among other things. Eeva is looking forward to Prague.

rn

photo: stadium entrance