Curling's Viral Ice Tech: The Michael Jackson of Ice?

Mark Callan, the head ice technician for curling at the Winter Games, has unexpectedly gained global attention for his distinctive "moonwalk-shuffle" while preparing the ice. This technique, performed while "pebbling"—spritzing de-ionized water onto the ice surface—has captivated audiences and earned him comparisons to Michael Jackson.

Callan's meticulous process involves using purified water from the Dolomites, which is sprayed onto concrete slabs chilled by glycol. This creates the signature pebbled texture crucial for curling stones to "curl" across the ice. The ice sheets are Callan's artistic creations, with different nozzle sizes used to ensure varied pebble sizes for optimal play.

Maintaining the precise conditions for curling is a demanding task. Callan and his team monitor 12 ice thermometers, stadium temperature, humidity, and dew point, making constant adjustments to counteract environmental factors. The ice technicians work 17-hour days for the entire 18-day duration of the curling competition, which is the longest-running sport in the Winter Olympics.

Despite their dedication, ice technicians like Callan and his Canadian counterpart Greg Ewasko often face blame from athletes when games are lost, a sentiment Ewasko describes as "upsetting." Callan acknowledges this dynamic, noting that ice techs often make "two new friends and two new enemies" after each match.