MONTREAL -- It isnt often a Quebec rink gets to play at home in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts but thats what skip Allison Ross of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que. Luke Appling Jersey ., will experience this week. A year in which the Canadian curling championship has been pushed forward a week to accommodate the Winter Olympics was deemed the perfect chance to stage the event in Montreal for the first time since 1979. The opening ceremonies and the first two draws are set for Saturday at the 4,000-seat Maurice Richard Arena, normally the training base for Canadas short-track speedskating team. "For us its going to be really fun," Ross said Friday. "Were really a team that likes to have the crowd support. "We respond well to that. Its a bit more pressure, for sure, a bit more media attention, but we are a team that likes it. We are enjoying every minute of it." Interest is likely to be lower than usual with the tournament schedule overlapping the Feb. 8 start of the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. But holding it in a city not known as a curling hotbed and far from the sports heartland in western Canada, is seen as a chance to grow the game. Kruger, which produces Scotties paper products, has its head office in Montreal, also worked in its favour as well. "This will be a wonderful platform to get (curling message) out here," said tournament director Francine Poisson, who played in three Canadian championships in the late 1980s and early 1990s. "Weve had a lot of French media this week, so its breaking the (notion) of curling being an English sport. "Its very exiting. The visibility of curling has never been as great as it is now. People are watching. Now its time to translate eyeballs into people playing in curling clubs." Next years tournament will return to curling country in Moose Jaw, Sask. Facing the likes of defending champion Rachel Homan of Ottawa, the Ross rink wont be among the favourites after going 3-8 at last years Scotties in Moncton, N.B. "We are hoping for a better result than last year," said Ross. "Last year we had three games that came down to last rock. "We could have had six wins instead of three. We take a lot of what we learned last year and come back a lot stronger this year." It isnt home for Homan, but Ottawa is just a two-hour drive or train ride away and shes also expecting some extra support as she defends her title. "Its nice for us," said Homan. "We drove here and a lot of friends and family will be coming up to support us and share the experience with us. "Obviously, there wont be as many fans here as there would be out west, but its good for our friends and family." Its an unusual Scotties in many ways, so perhaps there will be surprises on the ice. For one, Jennifer Jones rink from Winnipeg wont be around because shell be in Sochi. Instead, Chelsea Carey will make her Scotties debut for Manitoba. In 1979 in Montreal, British Columbia won the tournament led by Lindsay Sparkes. This time, B.C. will be led this time by 22-year-old skip Kesa Van Osch of Victoria. She wont be the youngest skip on the ice. That honour goes to 20-year-old Sarah Koltun of Whitehorse. The Yukon/Territories skip is the youngest ever to compete at the Scotties and the first player to skip at both the Scotties and Canadian junior championship in the same year. The favourites include Val Sweeting of Alberta, who is in her second Scotties, and Stefanie Lawton of Saskatchewan, who is at her third. The veterans are skip Heather Strong of Newfoundland, who is in her 11th Scotties, and Kim Dolan of P.E.I., who is in her 10th. "The transition is certainly happening," said Dolan. "There a lot of young teams and new faces, which is great to see. "Womens curling is in a great place, so these new young ladies are keen. That only entices other people to play and go after their dreams." The Ontario team is skipped by Allison Flaxey while Nova Scotia has Heather Smith at the helm and Andrea Crawford will carry New Brunswicks colours. Austin Jackson White Sox Jersey . Vonn "reopened" the idea of competing in the season-opening World Cup event on Oct. 26-27 in Soelden, Austria after returning to the slopes last month in Portillo, Chile. Jeff Keppinger White Sox Jersey . Andrews, Scotland - Oliver Wilson fired a final- round, 2-under 70 on Sunday and he held on to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by one shot.After defeating the Soviet Union, Team USA went on to win the gold medal in its final match against Finland.The 1992 United States mens Olympic basketball team, otherwise known as the "Dream Team," didnt have a specific moment of glory. The team destroyed opponents and won the gold medal against Croatia. The teams major claim to fame is being known as the greatest sports team ever assembled.Heres a look at how Team Canada did against the Dream Team:The team averaged 43.8 points per game, and defeated Team Canada by 44… so we fared typically against Michael Jordan and company. Perhaps Andrew Wiggins and the young crop of Canadian talent will challenge American basketball dominance in the coming years?The 1999 FIFA Womens World Cup was held in the United States, and featured the host country in the finals. China and the United States battled to a 0-0 draw in regulation time, and when nothing was solved in two overtime periods the game went to penalty kicks.Brandi Chastain had changed American soccer, won a World Cup for hher country, and created the most famous sports bra commercial of all time. Frank Thomas White Sox Jersey. Team Canada didnt advance in its group and therefore never played the American team.While Americans use The George Foreman Grill this weekend before sitting out at the picnic table, they can remember back when George Foreman won a gold medal in boxing at the 1968 Olympics and waved a miniature American flag after the big win.Sticking with people named George, President George W. Bush threw out the opening pitch before Game 3 of the World Series in 2001, as the nation was still reeling from the attacks of September 11th. Game 3 was the first game of the series held in New York City. That was a great pitch, Mr. President.Now lets sit back and enjoy Whitney Houstons rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before Super Bowl XXV.If a flyover of F-16 fighter jets doesnt get your juices flowing before a football game, then I dont know what will. Id also like to point out the Canadian flag at the 3:12 mark in the video.Happy Birthday, America! 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