MOOSE JAW – He’s in the stands here and around the globe.
Hans Madsen is a colourful character who takes on many different looks at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. For more than a decade, the Yorkton resident has been known for dying his beard a different colour for every draw.
Madsen even takes requests – but it requires some experimenting.
“I got a red (in Latvia) that stayed … so I was pink for ten days afterwards,” Madsen said.
Some fans are true to their roots. A group from Nova Scotia could be picked out across the Mosaic Place stands wearing their Sou’westers, a traditional hat often worn by Nova Scotian fishermen.
Carol (from Sydney, NS) and Sandi Black (now living in Alaska) are following along with Nova Scotia third Christina Black, whose dream was to take the ice at the Scotties.
At an event like this, they’re never far from home.
“A lot of people come up, they love the hat, they know we’re from Nova Scotia. They ask us where we’re from and we find out they’re from Nova Scotia,” Carol Black said.
In this rink, a fine piece of headgear can go a long way. Dee and Grant Hopley traveled from Nipawin as lone representatives the ‘Chickens’.
“Somebody behind us said, ‘Oh heavens, look at those poor chickens with humans attached to their butts!’ ”
From the barn to the zoo, a group of Quebec fans is wearing ‘onesies’ – a bear, penguin, giraffe and kangaroo all in support of Quebec skip Lauren Mann.
“You always want to make a bit of a scene, try and show as much support as you can,” said David Mann. “What better way than visually? You can’t ignore the suits.”
We often hear Saskatchewan is a curling-crazy province, and several in attendance at Tuesday’s morning draw pointed to Madsen’s beard as their favourite fan ensemble.
“They look at you a little strange to begin with because they’re not sure what to expect,” Madsen said.
Do they assume he’s from Saskatchewan?
“That’s an automatic.”
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