The Whirlwind Of Success

Online, March 23, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Jeff Stoughton is hungry.
The three-time Brier champ is making his way to a plate of roast beef at the Heather Curling Club in Winnipeg, but handshakes and thumps on the back slow his pace through the crowd. He eventually gives up, stops and smiles into another camera.
One week after an undisputable win at the Tim Hortons Brier in London, Ontario, Team Stoughton is navigating its way through the whirlwind of success. Press takes up a lot of time for the curlers; everyone wants a piece of a champion.
Today, the team (skip Stoughton, third Jon Mead, second Reid Carruthers and lead Steve Gould) was ready to face the cameras of a breakfast television show at 5 a.m. A quick radio interview followed and then the men arrived at the Manitoba Home Builders' Association Bonspiel to meet with fans.
Finally sitting at the table for lunch, they say they're thrilled with their Brier success, but are careful not to get swept up in the excitement. "It's easy to get caught up in it all, but then you're burnt out. We can't let ourselves get tired. Not when we've got something like Worlds coming up," says Mead, who won his first World Championship with Stoughton in 1999.
Not that there's much chance of losing sight of reality. Upon their return to Winnipeg, amidst the celebrations and appearances, there are jobs and home lives to resume. It can add up to a lot of stress, which is where sponsorship comes in. In the world of amateur sports, such as curling, financial support is invaluable.
"To be able to compete at a world-class level, we have to play a lot and that's only possible with sponsorship," says Mead. "We wouldn't be having this conversation without it."
They've squeezed in this bonspiel appearance as thanks to their JELD-WEN sponsor. But the team doesn't consider it an obligation.
"It's great to celebrate with the JELD-WEN people because they really are part of the team," says Reid Carruthers, who's happy to show off his first Brier ring. "Their support means we can concentrate on winning."
"During the regular season, it's just the four of us, but for big events, we've got an alternate and a coach," says Stoughton. "Having the funds to keep these guys with us really eases the burden. They can do the stuff that takes our focus away, like watching other teams' rocks. Our support staff is the best. We don't have to worry about a thing."
Mead agrees. "I don't really subscribe to the whole mythical zone," he says of that enviable space when you can't seem to lose. "What I know is we did a good job of eliminating distractions and limiting mistakes. Our great support staff and our fantastic sponsors play a huge part in that. We're
not stressed out and we're prepared. When you're comfortable, that's when you can succeed."
They know what they're talking about. While other teams in London complained about heavy ice, these curlers put their feet in the hack and consistently made their shots. In fact, their 96 per cent team shooting average in the final is a Brier record.
And in a short turnaround, they have to do it again. With only a few weeks of so-called downtime until the Ford World Men's Championship in Regina, the team meets up every day at lunch for 20 or 30 minutes to throw rocks together. Mead's father records all of their curling matches, so they'll find the time to analyze their own hits and misses.
There's also the task of arranging transportation, tickets, accommodations and scheduling for their families and friends. Stoughton says his kids will head to Regina for the opening weekend so they can enjoy the opening ceremonies and get a taste of the excitement. Carruthers, making his first appearance at the Worlds, is excited to play on home ice.
"Sure, it would be fun to take a trip and play in Scotland or Sweden, but curling is about being with friends and family and having fun. People keep telling me how supportive the crowd in Regina will be, they'll be wearing face paint and waving flags. This whole thing is amazing."
Talk turns to pressure.
"It's interesting," says Stoughton, who's appeared at the Worlds twice before. "When you're heading into the Brier, everyone says you could win. Then when you go to the Worlds, people say you should win. It's tough."
Asked to size up their competition at Worlds, Stoughton says, "Norway is a team to look out for. Also Sweden, Switzerland, the U.S., and Scotland."
He laughs with Mead. "You know, everyone wants to win just as badly as we do. Everyone is going to play just as hard as we do. We just have to make sure we come out on top."