From the Winnipeg Free Press Curlers Welcome Electroni - PDF document

T From the Winnipeg Free PressCurlers Welcome Electronic HoglineDevice well be standard at major competitionsBy Paul WiecekHUNDER BAY, Ont. —Curling ushered in a bravenew world here yesterday withthe world-wide debut of the electronichogline detection device.The technology, which useselectronic sensors to detect anytime acurler fails to release a rock in time, willnow be standard equipment in all majorcurling competitions, including the ScottTournament of Hearts, the Brier and theWorld Curling Championships.The technology was greeted withalmost universal relief among theplayers here yesterday.“It takes the element of human errorout of it,” said Canada’s Colleen Jones.“People trust this a lot more. Youknow it can’t lie. And before, you knewmistakes were being made.”There were no hogline violations inthe six games played here yesterday.The system, called ‘Eye On TheHog,’ was developed by a Saskatooncompany.It uses innovative technology todetect a strip frozen into the ice at thehogline and a bare hand touching thehandle. Circuitry in the handle turns ongreen lights after a valid release orflashes red lights if a violation hasoccurred. The lights sit atop the rock.Randy Ferbey, who was famouslyburned by a couple of bad hogline callsin the semifinal of the 2001 Worlds,says the new devices prove what he’sbeen saying all along.“It just shows what we alreadyknew—we don’t go over.”