After a 25-year-career, Linda Moore has retired, effective immediately, from TSN curling broadcasts in Canada.
The network made the announcement today, citing “a chronic health condition.”
However, Linda wants the curling world to know… she’s okay!
“I have what’s called benign fasciculation syndrome,” Moore told The Curling News from her home in Vancouver. “It’s a neurological disorder and the doctors don’t really know what causes it, but it’s probably from a virus, or vaccines, or stress. It’s not Parkinsons, but it involves tiny, tiny twitches.”
Moore first noticed this occasional and involuntary twitching in July of 2013, and it has since travelled from the initial area of her calves and feet to her tongue and, more recently, to her fingers.
However, the other aspect is extreme fatigue, which she says is the main reason she has stepped aside after so many years.
“It’s the crew I’ll miss the most,” said Moore. “Twenty-five years with Vic Rauter… and I made it!” she joked.
TSN has rushed to fill the void left by Moore by announcing a roster of various analysts will join Rauter and Russ Howard on the talent crew. TSN’s first event of the year starts this week, on December 3, with the Canada Cup from Camrose, Alberta [UPDATE: And late Monday night, we learned that 2010 Olympic silver medallist Cheryl Bernard would be the first to fill in for Moore in Camrose].
“Linda is not only an excellent curling analyst, she’s also an excellent broadcaster,” said Scott Higgins, Senior Producer, Curling on TSN. “She has been incredibly well-researched, with a natural ability to tell stories. Her greatest strength is her depth of knowledge, and her insights into the game within the game.”
“I want to thank Vic Rauter for being my guide during those years, as well as Russ Howard and Ray Turnbull for sharing the booth with me,” Linda told TSN public relations. “Thanks as well to Scott Higgins and all our incredible producers; Andy Bouyoukos and the other talented directors; my colleagues Cathy Gauthier and Bryan Mudryk; and everyone involved with TSN curling. This is a group of talented people who are passionate about sharing the superb skills of curlers with fans, and I have been proud to be a part of the crew for so long. I wish the TSN crew all the best for the coming season.
“As well, thanks to the fantastic curlers, hard-working event host committees, and the fans who have let me into their homes for so many years. You may still see me at your local curling clubs, helping to coach a team at a practice or bonspiel.”
Moore skipped a national and world champion team from British Columbia in the mid-1980s, and also won demonstration gold at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. She has also served the sport as an administrator; as Executive Director of CurlBC for 19 years, promoting the sport and developing curling programs throughout the province, and also as the ED of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation (2005-06).
As a Level 4 certified coach, Moore has been actively involved in coaching for many years. Her husband, Al Moore, also coaches actively, and is currently raking in gold medals as the coach of Switzerland’s national women’s team.
Linda Moore was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 1991 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 as part of the 1985 World Championship team.
You can read the full TSN news release here.
The December 2014 issue of The Curling News is now in circulation, and includes the Canada Cup broadcast schedule as a part of the “Curling TV/Web Guide”. The guide is also expanded with additional listings in the December digital edition, being released tomorrow to subscribers. To purchase a subscription, and with that an extra nine entry ballots into The Curling News‘ Pinty’s All-Star Curling Skins Game contest, click here.
Tell us what you think in the Comments section below – we’ll make sure your best wishes are sent along to Linda!
