I took up curling for a year in my twenties as a social activity. Once a week I’d drive out to the club north of Guelph (that’s in Canada) and try not to fall as I slid 40lbs of granite down the ice while someone swept in front of it.

Well portrayed in the underrated Men With Brooms, curling remains the only athletic activity I’ve consumed beer while playing.

It’s also the only sport I still have a shot at playing in the Olympics in (based on age).

When it is on television I’m strangely drawn to the yelling and shuffleboard like non-action. The Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Canada’s annual national women’s championships is currently taking place in Montreal and according to CBC, a norovirus outbreak is affecting teams and tournament officials.

The illness kept six players out of the morning draw, when Saskatchewan’s Stefanie Lawton (4-1) downed Quebec (1-6) 8-4 with only three players on her team.

Kesa Van Van Osch was the lone player missing in the afternoon, but then her lead Carley Sandwith had to quit after two ends, leaving them with only three.

Quebec was missing second Brittany O’Rourke in the morning. They got her back for the afternoon session, only to see her leave again after eight ends.

“She threw up in the third and the sixth ends, and finally got off the ice,” Allison Ross said of her teammate. “We’re in contamination mode.”