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Randy FerbeyCanadian curler
Date of Birth: 30.05.1959
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Randy Ferbey: A Canadian Curling Legend
- Early Career
- Forming His Own Team
- The Ferbey Four Era
- Decline and Retirement
Randy Ferbey: A Canadian Curling Legend
The Beginning of the Ferbey FourIn the early 2000s, the Canadian curling team known as the Ferbey Four was one of the most dominant forces in the sport, both domestically and internationally. The team's success can largely be attributed to its founder, Randy Ferbey.
Early Career
Randy Ferbey (born May 30, 1959) made his first appearance at the Brier (the Canadian men's curling championship) in 1987 as the third for Pat Ryan's team. The team's debut was less than spectacular, with a disappointing 6-5 record.
However, the following year, Ferbey, Ryan, Don Walchuk, and Don McKenzie redeemed themselves by winning the Brier and becoming Canadian champions. They represented Canada at the World Championships that year, reaching the final before losing to Norway.
In 1989, Ryan's team successfully defended their Brier title, but their victory was somewhat lackluster. This prompted the Canadian Curling Association and the World Curling Federation to implement new rules that encouraged a more aggressive style of play. Shortly thereafter, Ferbey, still as part of Ryan's team, won his first World Championship, defeating Switzerland in the final.
Forming His Own Team
In 1990, Ferbey left Ryan's team and formed his own, consisting of Don Walchuk, Pat McCallum, and Greg Muzechka. Ferbey's team managed to qualify for the 1990 Alberta Championships but was unable to advance to the Brier.
Ferbey and his team continued to compete with varying degrees of success at national events until 2001, when a significant change took place.
The Ferbey Four Era
The Ferbey Four made their first appearance at the Alberta Championships in 1999 but lost. They returned in 2001, determined to make amends, and did so in spectacular fashion. They won the Alberta Championships and went on to win the 2001 Nokia Brier. At the World Championships that year, they fell short in the semifinals and bronze medal game but were not discouraged.
In 2002, Ferbey's team once again triumphed at the Brier. They also won the World Championships that year, coincidentally facing the Norwegian team of Pål Trulsen in the final, the same team that had defeated them for bronze the year before.
The team's hot streak continued in 2003, winning both the Brier and the World Championships. However, in 2004, they hit a snag and failed to win the Canadian championship. Undeterred, they regained their title the following year, becoming the first team to win the Brier four times.
Decline and Retirement
Some critics have attributed the Ferbey Four's dominance to the fact that many top teams were boycotting the Brier at the time in favor of Grand Slam tournaments. Once the boycott ended, Ferbey's team's results declined, though they remained one of the top teams in the country, even winning three Grand Slam events.
Opponents also pointed out that Ferbey's career was marked by a lack of Olympic appearances. In April 2010, he joined Brad Gushue's team but left a year later in February 2011.
Ferbey spent the 2011-2012 season playing with David Nedohin, Ted Appelman, and Brendan Melnyk. This season marked Ferbey's last as a competitive curler, as he retired after an unsuccessful attempt to put together a team for the Olympics.
