Sweden's Anette Norberg is the woman to beat at the women's curling championship, which begins on on March 17 in Aomori, Japan. Her rink is the reigning world champion and Olympic title holder. Norberg, 40, who has won two world titles and six European titles, recently spoke to CBC Sports Online about her prospects in Japan, her Canadian competitors and her music career.
At the upcoming world championship, who will be your stiffest competition? I think Canada and the United States will be our toughest competition. We played the Americans [skipped by Canadian-born Debbie McCormick] in the finals of this competition last year.
Canada always has a good team. I think Switzerland is a bit weaker this season because the team is quite young. What do you think about Kelly Scott's rink, which will represent Canada in Japan?
We've played Scott's rink a couple of times. They're very good. I think their draw game is their strongest suit.
At the recent tournament of hearts [the Canadian women's curling championship], Scott's rink used a defensive game to win. What is your strategy for playing her rink? It actually doesn't make a difference what team we play.
We know what kind of game we play best and we stick with that. Our rink is one of the most aggressive in the women's game, and I think others would agree with that assessment. Scott described your rink as the "master of every aspect of the game.
" Do you agree? Well, that was nice of her to say. We do have a very strong team.
We demonstrated that last season. But we're constantly trying to improve our game because other teams are catching up. In Sweden, many teams are improving the hard take-out.
They're playing very well. I imagine the same thing is happening everywhere. What, if any, parts of your rink's game needs improvement?
We're interested in improving all around. But if I had to name one thing, I'd say we're trying to improve the accuracy of our hard take-out. You got involved with curling because of your parents, who played competitively.
How did they get you involved? My parents never really pushed me to take up curling. It was just something I wanted.
I remember being four years old and travelling with my mother's team. I was just waiting for my chance to play. When I first started playing at the elite level my mother was competing in it too.
You have two children (Tobias, 16, Therese, 10). Are you getting them involved in curling? My daughter is just starting to get involved, but my son isn't interested.
He's more into music and singing. Speaking of singing, you and your teammates appeared in a video for the heavy metal band, Hammerfall. Tell me more about It was the most fun I've had in a long time.
It was like being a kid again for a day. The band members were great, not at all what we expected. To be honest, heavy metal isn't really my kind of music.
We were worried what people would think because there's such a contrast between the worlds of heavy metal and curling. But everyone has been very positive about it. I haven't heard a single negative comment.
You work as an actuary. What attracted you to that profession? Math was always my strongest subject.
I took it in university though I wasn't sure what I would do with my degree. But then I discovered that the insurance business uses people with strong math skills. I was attracted to this job because it involves using my math skills and interacting with people, which I love.
Are there any similarities between actuarial science and curling? Yes, there are similarities. Both involve calculating risks.
Truth be told, I take more risks on the ice. At the world championship, she has won two gold medals, one silver and four bronze. At the 2006 women's world championship, Norberg's rink became the fourth in history to successfully defend its title.
The others were Swede Elisabet Gustafson (1998-99), Canada's Sandra Schmirler (1993-94) and Norway's Dordi Nordby (1990-91). At the European championship, Norberg has won six gold medals, two silver and three bronze. At the Olympics, she has won one silver medal and one gold.
Her silver cane at the 1988 Calgary Games, where curling was a demonstration sport. She was an alternate. Cathrine Lindahl, the second on Norberg's rink, is her sister.
Norberg says she's impressed with the enthusiasm of local fans who attend The Continental Cup, a B.C. tournament that pits the best curlers from Canada and the United States against those from Europe.
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