New Zealand Curling

Eleanor Adviento's (NZL) eyes grew as wide as the Curling stone she was sweeping glided toward a crowded house in the eighth end against China at the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games on Sunday.

The New Zealanders needed to score two points in that final end of their Mixed Curling match against the highly-rated Chinese and a picture-perfect shot secured their 7-6 triumph.

Adviento lives for the moment, and competing in front of the biggest crowd of her life is an experience she will never forget.

"I could hear them breathe," she said. "I could hear them talk about the shot. I could hear my manager cheering me on. I tried to focus but I was all smiles."

And when New Zealand won?

"Wow. Everything we have been practising for was there. We did not have a great game (in Saturday's 6-2 defeat to Switzerland) but today we came back up and we were so positive," she said. "It feels great. With a little bit more of that positive feeling we could get there."

Curling really is not on the sporting radar of most Zealanders. There is one rink dedicated to the game in the country. Even Adviento'S home club in Auckland also serves as an Ice Skating rink, and the ice is often chopped up by the time the Curlers get their turn.

"It makes me want to get more friends to try it, and if they don't like it, I will get more friends to try it," she said. "If one person likes it, they will stay on with the sport and that is what New Zealand Curling needs."

Adviento was born in the Philippines and her family moved to New Zealand when she was seven. Years later her physical education teacher asked her students whether anyone wanted to try Curling.

"I said, 'What is curling?, but I will try'. I was 12 and wanted to try everything. I went to the Curling rink and I loved it," she said. "I love sliding across the ice, with a cool breeze in your face. It is really nice and I just kept going."

Curling is only one part of Adviento's life, though.

She sings, plays violin, excels in her academic life and has been awarded a yearly $15,000 (Kiwi dollars) scholarship until she finishes university.

"I want to be a doctor but you never know where life will take you," she said. "I consider myself as being well-rounded and if I like something I usually do well in it. I see myself as a role model."

Given how she seems to excel at such a varied range of activities, exactly where does she get the energy from?

"I have no idea. I think my motivation is making new friends and gaining new experiences. I am excited about everything and I want to do my best. When I don't do my best I want to try even harder," she said. "I really put a lot of effort into everything I do. I love the experience of everything, even a loss."

So, is she bad at anything?

"My parents say I have a messy bedroom."

Needless to say, Adviento has been taking as much in as she can at the Youth Olympic Games.

"I have zillions of memories. I have made so many Facebook friends and I empty my YOGGER every night. I am having a ball."

• Original article on Innsbruck 2012 site

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