Curl
uncer

ing leagues
in about

how to put new
law into effect

Many questions left unanswered
concerning free guard-zone rule

IT’S. BOUND ‘to be the
“most @:-discussed -
curling this year.

_ By Linda Moore
“. Contributing Writer

But the ‘free. guard-zone rule

(Canadian Style) is now ‘‘law,”’ at
least: forall playdowns which lead
to’a Canadian Curling Association
national event. ~
What is the rule? ‘
The. free guard-zone rule stipu-
‘lates that. any stone located in the
area: between the hogline and the
house, cannot .be removed from
play: ‘until | the: delivery: of. the
» fourth and” ‘Subsequent . stones of
the end:

The penalty for a rile infraction .
_ Strengths and weaknesses.

_ds ‘that ‘the © delivered. stone... is
» removed from play, and the guard
is replaced, :

The intent’ of the rule is to in-,

‘Crease’ the:-number : of. offensive
tyle “shots, and’ decrease. the
_fumber of boring takeout style
games. |
However, | many’. clubs in B.C.
. are uncertain about the status. of
the rule in their. various leagues.
Although curling associations now
recommend using the rule, the free
. guard-zone’ concept. was not ap-
proved by the CCA until June of
‘this ‘year, making. its implementa-
‘tion for this season more difficult.
It seems that in some clubs only
_ the more competitive-type leagues
may utilize. it; for the curler par-

ticipating i in‘more than one league, :

this is a very confusing situation.
Why-the worry about: introduc-
ing the rule?
There .are still- concerns regard-

FORMER WORLD champion figure skater . Fritzi

topic in’

ing: lengthening the time required
for a game; reducing the role of
the lead to only draws; difficulties
arising from leads. removing

. guards, and skips trying to replace

stones; the play, dictated by the
first stone of each end, staying in
the centre of the ice; and, gener-
ally, curlers not understanding the
changes.

No one can predict how the rule
will affect play this year.
1 There may be a learning curve,
with teams requiring more time in
the early part of the season for
some on-ice discussions regarding
the rule.

. And some off-ice time may be
needed, as teams

then revise them until a game plan
is found that fits their players’

The free guard-zone. rule has
been in effect outside Canada for
two years —- with little discussion
and not. much confusion. (Note:
The World Curling Federation
rule is stightly modified — the rule
is in place until the fifth stone of
the end, but you can remove your
own guards.)

Those interested in the rule
should check out a variety of
games — in leagues, bonspiels and
playdowns — to see the various

Strategies employed.

For those leagues | uncertain
about using the cule, remember
that it’s what curlers will see when
they tune in national events on TV

this season. And it may be less —

confusing if everyone” uses the

same rule,

Be sure to fet your curling
associations know how your club

is progressing with the rule.

NEWS photo Mike Wakefield
Burger

(holding flowers) visited the North Shore. Winter Club last
week to encourage focal skaters. Burger represented Austria
at the 1928 and 1932 Olympics, capturing a silver medal at

both competitions.

formulate -
. strategies for using the rule and

‘Norvan player
- scored in the 75th minute to give

Pl to

NORVAN WINGER Danny Vaughan (left) streaks
Thanksgiving Day premier-division league g
edged Norvan 1-0 in the afi-North Shore battle.

NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge

past two Morth Shore Pegasus players during a
ame at Kinsmen Park in North Vancouver. Pegasus

Norvan to host Coquitlam Tayside

NORVAN SOCCER club did
not play its scheduled premier-
division game last Sunday due to
the field being unplayable.

The previous weekend, the

‘North Shore team was on the

losing end of two 1-0 results.
On Sunday, Oct. 10, former
Graeme Slee

Fireman a one-goal victory.
Mike Geary played a strong

game for the North Shore side.

Norvan piayer Trevor White
suffered a broken leg during the
game, and is’ gone for the
season.

The following day, -Thanks-
giving Monday,
Shore holiday classic at Kinsmen
Stadium -saw North: Shore
Pegasus edge its local rival by
one goal. Rob Reid had the
game winner in first-half play.

an all-North -

Norvan played the entire se-
cond half a man. down. after
Gerry Roshard was sent off in
the first: half;. Strong ‘play by

‘Norvan’s Darren Burr and .Tim

Roshard: was still not enough to.

“overcome the Pegasus squad. aa

Norvan’s next game is against
Coquitlam Tayside on Sunday, .
Oct. -24 at 2 p.m. at Kinsman
stadium -in North Vancouver
(Jones and 19th Street).

Buy your season pass by Oct 2Ath/ 93 and save over

ADULTS
YOUTH

CHILD (6-12)

SENIOR

Early Bird
$309
$209
$139
$105

{13-17}

{65+}

Regular Price
$409
$309
$169
$135

Families - 20% Family discount and special Early Bird $850 maximum applicable to full -
season pass purchase for families. Regular family maximum $1050.

Pick a night, any night! One night of.
skiing every week with the who
(maxizaury of 6 5 members). Regular $239

ADULTS

YOUTH (73-17)

CHILD (6-

AovNTSEOLR

Some restrictions apply.To purchase
or for more information, please call:

12}

SENIOR (85+) .
Valid Monday « Fridoy. 9:00am - Closing. Not valid 1 valid during Chr Christmos break - Dec. 20/93 - Dec. 31/93

family.

Now you can afferd to ski!

Regular Price -
$239
$189
$149
$115

(FROM THE VALLEY)

986-2261 872-616 |