By CGTN's Mike Fox, Mu Dan
A couple of fans have stood out in the stands of Beijing’s Capital Gymnasium over the past few days during the World Women’s Curling Championships.
With eye-catching costumes - and beard – Hans and Judy Madsen from Canada have not missed a single game, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. They even change outfits in the intervals to support different teams.
Judy and Hans Madsen - boasting a beard with "China" sprayed on it - enjoy a game during the 2017 Women’s World Curling Championship. /CGTN Photo
This means waking up at 5:00 a.m. every day, even though their hotel is just 10 minutes from the championship’s venue. And they usually have no time for lunch or dinner either.
“Some of the costumes are trickier than others, and some of them would take me six hours.” Hans Madsen told CGTN.
The Madsens got the idea to start dressing up in 2011 after a curling event in Denmark, and since then they have traveled the world, following women’s curling from national championships in Canada to big events such as the World Championships, totaling over 80 events around the world.
Curling fan Hans Madsen during the playoff game in the Scotties Tournament in Saskatchewan. /CFP Photo
Their daughter helps book tickets and hotels and provide costumes in advance.
Hans, 67, says he should have been retired 15 years ago, but decided to keep working to support his hobby. And as long as they can, “we'll definitely continue doing it,” said 57-year-old Judy.
Still, the tickets, hotels, meals, costumes and paint come at a cost. “For the event in Beijing we use US$400 for the paint alone, and some of the costumes you can only use one or two times then you have to buy new ones," said Hans.
But the curling fan believes it is worthwhile as long as it can cheer people up. “If we can make a few people smile by the end of the day it makes us feel good,” he added.
8km