Athlete Biography - Mark Nichols - Curling Men’s Third
From The CBC Torino 2006 - The Olympic Games Site
Mark Nichols - Curling - men’s third
Birthdate: Jan. 1, 1980
Birthplace: Labrador City, N.L.
Hometown: St. John’s
Olympic Outlook
Though Russ Howard and Brad Gushue get most of the attention, Nichols is vital to his team’s success. A terrific shot-maker, he beat Randy Ferbey in the final of the Hot Shots skills competition at the 2005 Brier.
Season Highlights
* Won Canadian curling trials as third for Gushue
* Third at World Curling Tour Oslo Cup as third for Gushue
Career Highlights
* Won 2005 Canadian mixed championships as Newfoundland and Labrador skip
* Won 2005 Hot Shots skills competition
* Won 2004 Canada Cup East as third for Gushue
* Won 2001 world junior championships as third for Newfoundland and Labrador skip Gushue
* Won 2001 Canadian junior championships as third for Newfoundland and Labrador skip Gushue
* Played in three Briers (2003, 2004, 2005) as third for Newfoundland and Labrador skip Gushue
* Named to two Canadian junior championships all-star teams (2000 and 2001)
* Named 2001 Labrador City Athlete of the Year
Quotations
“He’s in my opinion probably the most talented curler out there.”
- Brad Gushue on Nichols’s shot-making abilities after Nichols made two dazzling shots in the last four ends to propel his team to a win over Jeff Stoughton at the 2005 Canadian curling trials.
Noteworthy
Besides Russ Howard, Nichols has the most years of curling experience among members of Team Gushue. Nichols has been playing the game for 18 years, since he was seven.
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