Gerry Adam has travelled the world in pursuit of his curling dreams. He鈥檚 voyaged across Canada multiple times and he鈥檚 been to Switzerland five times.
In February, he鈥檒l pack up his suitcase again as he makes one of the biggest journeys of his life. He鈥檚 heading to 麻豆传媒AV Korea. And while he鈥檚 looking forward to doing a bit of sight-seeing, he鈥檚 focused on one thing.
Adam is the coach for the Switzerland ladies curling team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of those dreams come true,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou never think it鈥檚 going to happen to you.
鈥淸It鈥檚] hard to believe.鈥�
Adam has been curling for decades. Three years ago, he attended the Tim Hortons Brier in Calgary. There he met a team from Switzerland.
鈥淚 jokingly said, 鈥業f you need somebody next year to coach at a tournament or two, let me know,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淭hey said they were looking for somebody.鈥�
Adam has been their coach ever since. He鈥檚 helped them with games in Switzerland and Canada.
The team, led by Silvana Tirinzoni, is comprised of Manuela Siegrist, Esther Neuenschwander, and Marlene Albrecht.
The team competed in the 2017 Swiss Olympic Curling Trials in October, where they were undefeated, which qualified them for the Winter Olympics.
Adam will leave Regina for Switzerland on Feb. 4 before heading to 麻豆传媒AV Korea on Feb. 6. Their event start on Feb. 14, so they鈥檒l have a week to get ready.
鈥淲e鈥檒l be able to tour around and see some other sports,鈥� Adam said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I鈥檓 looking forward to.鈥�
Adam likes his team鈥檚 chances, but he said curlers have raised their game around the world.
鈥淭he dedication to the sport is crazy,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou have to be prepared.鈥�
Adam loves the strategic element to coaching.
鈥淚 like scouting the other team and seeing what might be that little bit between winning and losing,鈥� he said.
Adam compliments his team for their excellent English, even if there is an occasional misunderstanding.
鈥淭he language barrier is enough that you鈥檝e got to be careful,鈥� he said. 鈥淸I try] to be slow with it so they understand.
鈥淢y Swiss-German is not very good.鈥�
Adam hasn鈥檛 quite wrapped his head around the possibility of winning a gold medal, but he鈥檚 excited nonetheless.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the pinnacle of your sport to win the gold medal,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檇 be the thrill of a lifetime.鈥�
