Temperature control.
The Czech national team's so far rather monotonous programme has been diversified by some unusual activities. Today, for example, it was a temperature measurement using a scanning device, which at the end of the procedure told everyone that their temperature was normal. This measurement with a positive result will soon become a daily necessity and a prerequisite for entering the hall. The telecasts of the Player's Championship today offered an attractive comparison of the strengths of the final pairs. The women's teams were Einarson and Homan and the men's teams were Gushue and Mouat. The women's duel this morning was a little sparkless in its second half, as the current Canadian champions and Maple Leaf representatives for the upcoming World Championships (Einarson) took a three-point lead and routinely finished the rest. In the men's event, it was a tug-of-war and tactical battle between the ever-improving Scots and the experienced 2006 Olympic champion. Experience wasn't enough this time and the important trophy along with a large cash prize was taken home by the Scots. Immediately after the Grand Slam final, renovation of the court and minor changes to the facilities will begin. It is necessary to melt the ice, make new ice, insert advertisements and slogans of the world championship sponsors into the ice and also prepare different sets of stones than the ones used for the Grand Slams. Once everything is done, the ice at Winsport's Markin MacPhail Centre will be women's only for twelve days (including practice sessions).
rnphoto: hotel room view of a foggy, cloud-covered downtown Calgary