Provincial playdowns wrapped up this past week with eight more teams securing spots to the Tim Hortons Brier. Warren provides a rundown through how the field is shaping up so far. 

Russian athletes competing as ROC aren’t fooling anyone. Should the IOC get tougher on state-sanctioned doping? Kevin and Warren weigh in as it was an issue in curling four years ago and has popped up again in other sports in Beijing. 

What about alternating the hammer after every end? Our Mailbag segment answers what would happen and why it’s not the ideal solution. Finally, Kevin shares a funny tale in Storytime when his coach Jules Owchar wanted his big moment in Vancouver but was nowhere to be found. 

E.J. Harnden from Northern Ontario’s Team Jacobs is our guest this week (17:20) to talk about heading to his 13th Brier, how the playdowns were held safely during COVID-19 restrictions, how Canada is doing in Beijing and what they could be doing to improve their draw-to-the-button shootout scores. Harnden also discusses why he’s a Brier purist and prefers the old format without any wild card teams, the balancing act of ensuring top teams and provincial representatives compete for national titles, how to ensure younger curlers have a path to the top and why he believes Northern Ontario has its own spot. 

Harden also reflects on how he’s proud and grateful people credit his team for being at the forefront of change in curling by increasing the fitness aspect and seeing that continue to evolve. 

This podcast is produced by Amil Delic and Warren Hansen, recorded and mixed by Mike Rogerson, and hosted by Kevin Martin, Warren Hansen and Jim Jerome. Production support by Jonathan Brazeau.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

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