THE ATHLETES

• Skip Kevin Martin of Edmonton started curling in 1974 at the age of eight

• Owner of Kevin’s Rocks-n-Racquets, suppliers of curling equipment and rink supplies

• First big win was the 1985 Canadian Junior title

• Has participated in 10 Canadian Men’s Curling Championships, winning the title in 1991, 1997, 2008, and 2009, and has posted 10 Grand Slam wins

• At the worlds, he was 2nd in 1991, 1st in 2008, and 2nd in 2009, 4th in his first Olympic appearance in 1992 and 2nd in 2002

• Selected and groomed the youthful members of his team.

• Third John Morris of Chestermere, Alta., has a kinesiology degree from Wilfrid Laurier University

• Is a part-time firefighter with the municipal district of Rocky View

• Started curling in 1984 at the age of six, encouraged by his father, Earle Morris

• In 1998 and 1999, skipped his rink to the Canadian Junior and World Junior titles

• Playing third, won the Canadian men’s title in 2008 and 2009, the world men’s title in 2008, and the Canada Cup in 2009

• A two-time Players champion and a six-time Grand Slam winner

• Lead Ben Hebert of Calgary is a marketing representative for Fugro SESL Geomatics, which provides land- and aerial-based survey services.

• Started curling in 1995 at the age of 12

• Playing lead, has won four provincial titles, two Canadian men’s titles, the 2008 world title, and the Canada Cup in 2009

• A five-time Grand Slam winner and a 2007 Players champion

• Second Marc Kennedy of Edmonton owns and operates a M&M Meat Shops Ltd.

• Holds a commerce degree

• Started curling in 1988 at the age of six

• Playing second, won Canadian men’s titles in 2007 and 2009, the world title in 2008, and the Canada Cup in 2009

• A two-time Players Champion and a six-time Grand Slam winner

• Alternate Adam Enright of Edmonton, when not playing with the Martin rink, plays second for Chris Schille’s rink.

• Playing third, won the 2002 Alberta Junior Championships

• As the alternate, he won the 2008 national and world titles

THE PERFORMANCE

It was the performance of a lifetime and when it was over, the unbeaten team of Kevin Martin, John Morris, Ben Hebert, Marc Kennedy were Olympic champions with a 6-3 victory over Thomas Ulsrud of Norway. As reported by Allen Cameron of the Canwest Olympic Team, “He never trailed Saturday, building a 3-0 lead through five tentative ends during which Morris needed to bail him out of some trouble, making a triple takeout in the second end to get the packed house into the game, then followed up with tough double takeouts in the fourth and fifth ends that led directly to Canadian steals. Fittingly, though, it was Martin who delivered the shot of the game — a clutch freeze in the seventh end that Ulsrud couldn’t pry out, and Martin made the open draw for two, and it was just a matter of time before he finally got to experience the complete and utter joy that accompanies an Olympic gold medal.”

THE QUOTES

“Kevin Martin's team is widely recognized as being the best in the world and they have proved that beyond a doubt by going through these Olympic Games without a loss,” said Elaine Dagg-Jackson, national coach and team leader. “They were virtually flawless throughout this competition, including during the gold medal game.”

“Jules Owchar has coached Kevin Martin for more than 25 years and has been instrumental in his growth as a curling athlete. He has also been a pioneer in the tracking of multiple game factors, including the tracking and analysis of rocks.”

“With many years of international experience plus four Olympics, Jim Waite provided Team Martin with strong support both on and off the ice. His strength in managing multiple details in a complicated environment contributed greatly to the Vancouver performance.”

“The addition of Paul Webster in a support coach role provided enhanced confidence in the preparation through statistical analysis and scouting.”