Gerry Adam has travelled the world in pursuit of his curling dreams. He’s voyaged across Canada multiple times and he’s been to Switzerland five times.
In February, he’ll pack up his suitcase again as he makes one of the biggest journeys of his life. He’s heading to South Korea. And while he’s looking forward to doing a bit of sight-seeing, he’s focused on one thing.
Adam is the coach for the Switzerland ladies curling team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung.
“It’s one of those dreams come true,” he said. “You never think it’s going to happen to you.
“[It’s] hard to believe.”
Adam has been curling for decades. Three years ago, he attended the Tim Hortons Brier in Calgary. There he met a team from Switzerland.
“I jokingly said, ‘If you need somebody next year to coach at a tournament or two, let me know,’” he said. “They said they were looking for somebody.”
Adam has been their coach ever since. He’s 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 South Korea on Feb. 6. Their event start on Feb. 14, so they’ll have a week to get ready.
“We’ll be able to tour around and see some other sports,” Adam said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Adam likes his team’s chances, but he said curlers have raised their game around the world.
“The dedication to the sport is crazy,” he said. “You have to be prepared.”
Adam loves the strategic element to coaching.
“I like scouting the other team and seeing what might be that little bit between winning and losing,” he said.
Adam compliments his team for their excellent English, even if there is an occasional misunderstanding.
“The language barrier is enough that you’ve got to be careful,” he said. “[I try] to be slow with it so they understand.
“My Swiss-German is not very good.”
Adam hasn’t quite wrapped his head around the possibility of winning a gold medal, but he’s excited nonetheless.
“It’s the pinnacle of your sport to win the gold medal,” he said. “It’d be the thrill of a lifetime.”
