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Hans Frauenlob | ||
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NZ Olympian #986 | |
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WCF profile | |
Born | 22 Nov 1960 – Barrie, Ontario, Canada | |
Club | Auckland CC | |
International Record | ||
Olympic Games | ||
2006 | Turin | 10th |
World Mens | ||
1999 | Saint John | 10th |
2001 | Lausanne | 9th |
2004 | Gävle | 7th |
2005 | Victoria | 8th |
World Mixed Doubles | ||
2013 | Fredericton | 5th |
Pacific Mens | ||
1997 | Karuizawa | 3rd |
1998 | Qualicum Beach | 1st |
1999 | Tokoro | 3rd |
2000 | Esquimalt | 1st |
2001 | Jeonju | 2nd |
2002 | Queenstown | 4th |
2003 | Aomori | 1st |
2004 | Chuncheon | 1st |
2005 | Taipei | 3rd |
2006 | Tokyo | 5th |
World Senior Mens | ||
2012 | Tårnby | 5th |
2013 | Fredericton | 2nd |
2015 | Sochi | 3rd |
Winter Games NZ | ||
2013 | Naseby (NZL"A") | 6th |
Karuizawa Invitational | ||
2006 | Karuizawa | 2nd |
US Curling Grand Prix | ||
2014 | Blaine, MN | |
New Zealand Titles | ||
NZ Mens | ||
2005-2006, 2012 | ||
NZ Mixed Doubles | ||
2012, 2013 | ||
NZ Senior Mens | ||
2011-12 | ||
Wendorf Rock | ||
2001, 2005, 2006 | ||
Auckland League | ||
1997, 1999, 2004, 2005 | ||
New Zealand Teams | ||
NZ Men | ||
1997-2006, 2014 | ||
NZ Mixed Doubles | ||
2013 | ||
NZ Senior Men | ||
2012-13, 2015 |
Hans had already tasted sporting success in a different field before he moved to New Zealand. He worked for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1990-1996 and is the proud owner of two World Series baseball rings following their victories in 1992 and 1993 – the first team outside the USA to do so.
He was first selected for the NZ Men's curling team in 1997 and represented his new country for 10 straight seasons. This included
- 10 Pacific Championships winning 4 gold medals, 1 silver, 3 bronze
- 4 World Championships, with a best place of 7th in 2004; 3rd best shooting percentage 1999 with 79% at third.
Hans is quite certain though that his greatest sporting moment to date, was qualification for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. NZ needed to win the last round robin game against Denmark at the 2005 Worlds, and the crucial moment was early in the game.
"I will always remember it... Sean made a fantastic shot to score a 5 on the fourth end – Lorne and Dan swept the shot great, and I got the line read right – a real team shot and the crowd went wild – it was spectacular."
Hans' international experience was put to good use at the 100% Pure NZ Winter Games in Naseby in 2009. His expert commentary during the extended TV coverage introduced many Kiwis to the roaring game.
2012 was a golden year for Hans. He skipped his side to both the NZ Open Men's and Senior Men's titles and then teamed up with Natalie Thurlow to win the NZ Mixed Doubles, becoming the first person to win the three titles in the same year. The Seniors and Mixed Doubles wins qualified Hans and his teammates for the respective 2013 World Championships held simultaneously in Fredericton, NB, Canada where they finished 5th in the World Mixed Doubles and won the World Senior Men's silver medal.