Rainnie relishes curling at eighth Olympics

When Daniel Igali won gold on the last day of the 2000 Olympics, Bruce Rainnie’s career took off.

It was Rainnie’s first Olympiad as a broadcaster, covering wrestling and weightlifting – in his own words, entry-level positions.

The assignment paid off for Rainnie when Igali won his third match of the day to stand atop the podium.

“I was the guy who got to tell his story to Canada. That was a huge opportunity for me. It went well – well, it didn’t go great, but I was asked back.”

Eighteen years later, Rainnie will be telling the stories of Canadian curlers at the Pyeongchang Olympics.

The former Compass anchor has plenty of experience with the roaring game, but it’s always a challenge, he said.

“It’s the only sport where every competitor in the game has a mic on. Seated beside you are two curlers who have won Olympic medals. So in terms of knowing what’s going on in the game, you are a distant 11th in the pecking order.”

Part of the job is picking the right moments to talk, Rainnie said.

“You have to really adjust and be patient and let the conversation on the ice flow and be a traffic cop of sorts. Make sure the stars of the game are allowed to be the stars.”

Rainnie’s most vivid Olympic memories involve calling Canadian gold medals – including the double victory by curlers Jennifer Jones and Brad Jacobs in Sochi.

He may get a chance to recreate that magic in Pyeongchang.

“Canadian teams are the teams to watch.”

Rainnie’s duties will begin Thursday – a day before the opening ceremony – when the new mixed doubles event begins. John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes will represent Canada.

“They’re dynamic shot makers and really good sweepers.”

(edit: Morris and Lawes will go for gold against Switzerland Tuesday at 7 a.m. Atlantic time)

Rainnie expects Canada’s Kevin Koe to face Sweden’s Niklas Edin in the men’s gold-medal game.

“Those are the two best teams there. Them along with Brad Gushue are the top three teams in the world.”

Predicting the women’s tournament is a little more difficult, Rainnie said.

“It could be wide open, although I think Rachel Homan, if they’re on, they’re really, really good.”

Great Britain’s Eve Muirhead and Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg should also contend, he said.

Kevin “Boomer” Gallant, Rainnie’s former partner on Compass, said the veteran broadcaster sets himself up for success.

“I’ve never seen a man so prepared to go on air in my life. He prepares himself mentally. His preparation, his delivery, he’s got a lot of assets to be on television.”

Rainnie has an excellent memory, Rainnie added.

“CBC are lucky to have him right now because he is the complete package when he goes on air.”