Dismissed by some as just “ice bowls”, curling follows a similar cycle.
Broadly ignored for three years and 50 weeks, it registers in the wider public attention when the Olympics comes round, but as little more than wallpaper filling the gaps between the more exciting winter sports.
Then, a few days in, we become hooked. People in offices and pubs find themselves discussing Rebecca Morrison’s outrageous draw, or the ferocity with which Hammy McMillan brushes the ice. Or maybe just revelling in the Canadian capers.
Come the end of the round-robin and the medal matches, we’ve properly bought in – the BBC audience for the semi-final win over Switzerland peaked at 3.4million.
Maybe something worth keeping handy for when people tell you nobody is interested in curling…
Then we’ll get to Saturday’s gold-medal match. Clammy palms, spiked heart-rates, agonising groans and joyful roars – and that’s just Steve Cram in the commentary box.
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