ICWF Word Challenge February 2010

The criteria for submission was as follows:

"...write a short news story that has some connection to the Olympics. In your story you need to clearly answer the journalistic questions as follows: who, where, what, when, why, how. They don't have to be answered in this order, but it should be clear that each is covered.
The newspaper that you are writing for is called the "Glory Times" and its content includes current events from a spiritual perspective. The maximum word count is 300 words not including the snappy headline for your story..."

The submissions were sent to the Inscribe listserve, members voted and then the votes were tallied and Pat Earl was our winner! CONGRATULATIONS, Pat!

Here is her winning story:

Savour The Moment

Cheryl Bernard thought they had it. The final rock of the women’s 2010 gold medal Olympic curling challenge glided smoothly toward the waiting rings. The confident skip of team Canada smiled as she hollered, " Clean. Clean!" Her stone struck the opponents rock dead on and stopped short of the blue ring. Sweden counted two. The game was tied, six six. Smiles changed to looks of disbelief. Overtime. One more chance. Bernard once more had the last rock. The projected tap on the opponent’s stone failed to materialize. Sweden won gold. As the Swedish women whooped and cheered, team Canada stood dejected, looking on. None more so than their skip who was known for putting her rocks in place when it counted most.

Later, as the Canadian team stood on the podium to receive silver medals, their downcast faces told the story of disappointment. Bernard, speaking to a reporter later that evening, said she would be reliving her last throw for some time. She acknowledged it would perhaps be a week or two before she could appreciate being second best in the world.

But something happened between Friday’s game and Sunday. Was it the adulation of the Canadian crowds? Was it words of encouragement from family and friends? Or perhaps, Bernard knew in her heart she had done her best and had used her God given talent to support her team.

Whatever the reason, there she was, all smiles, savouring the moment during the closing ceremony, looking every inch a proud Canadian. For a team inexperienced on the world stage, winning the silver medal was a spectacular feat. Bernard and all of Team Canada can be proud of their performance.