Icemaker put stamp on curling

LAS VEGAS A dozen World Men’s Curling Championship icemakers lined the bumpers in front of the scoreboards all wearing pink hats for the occasion.

The first celebrity icemaker, Shorty Jenkins, was inducted posthumously into the World Curling Hall of Fame here with video testimonials and a presentation to his daughter Kitty Jenkins.

“Shorty was a great innovator when it came to the first-class ice that we have today,” said World Curling Federation president Kate Caithness of the famed Canadian icemaker who died at age 77 in 2013. “Shorty was a pioneer in understanding the relationship between the ice and the stones. He also shared his expertise with others and held courses all over the world to make sure his high standard (was met). He was known for his complete dedication to championship ice. He was also an unforgettable character that truly identified the spirit of curling.

“I’m proud to induct Shorty Jenkins, ‘The King of Swing,’ into the World Curling Hall of Fame.”

Shorty’s daughter kept the acceptance speech short.

“I’d like to thank Kate, the World Curling Federation and all of you who are here today. I’m very happy for my father. I love my dad. I miss my dad. And I’m so, so proud.”

Kitty said her dad was working at a golf and curling club in Trenton, Ont. and they didn’t have an icemaker. He was self-taught.

As she got older she realized her dad was kind of famous. He worked the big events, wore his signature pink cowboy hat and pink cowboy boots and even ended up with his own Tim Horton’s TV commercial.

“To us, he was just Shorty,” she said.