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WINDSOR, N.S. —

They were strangers when they met in Long Island last year, sharing only the love of curling in common. But now, they’re the best of friends.

In 2019, retired rugby player Rick Kitchin wanted to bring a little bit of rugby culture to Canada’s wintertime sport of curling. He sought out curling clubs in the United States that might be interested in a friendship exchange and asked Windsor curlers to take a road trip.

It wasn’t hard to spot American curlers. Members of Team Lusardi (John Lusardi, Bobby Iadanza, Eli Toney and Adrianne Rondinelli) liked to show off their stars and stripes while in Windsor. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

He wound up connecting with the Long Island Curling Club. At the time, the Windsor Curling Club was 110 years old and the American club was celebrating its 10th anniversary.

“So basically when our club burned down, and we rebuilt, they were just forming so there was a connection there,” said Kitchin.

From there, everything just clicked.

“Canada is a curling haven,” said Kitchin. “I said, ‘I'm trying to bring a little rugby culture to curling. We just want to travel, meet people, total strangers, and share our sport.’”

And that’s what they did.

“Over 1,000 miles, a century of time and an international border separated us but the game swept that all away,” said Kitchin, smiling.

Windsor sent a contingent of four teams, spouses and three spectators.

“They were absolute total strangers and one day later, we had best friends,” said Kitchin.

While in the Big Apple, the Canadians curled, attended the Broadway play Come From Away and took in a New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden — all with their American friends.

“They were amazing hosts; they really treated us great.”

Hants West MLA Chuck Porter, right, presented the Long Island Curling Club president, Bobby Iadanza, centre, with a Nova Scotian memento. Rick Kitchen helped organize the friendly Cairdeas Cup. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

And the Long Islanders won the inaugural Cairdeas Cup.

“I don't know that we won so much as the ice won for us,” said Bobby Iadanza, the president of the Long Island Curling Club and one of the trip organizers.

Joyce Anne Hines helped organize the Long Islanders visit to Windsor. Her team of curlers consisted of Colin Hines, Les Reid and Robert Dean. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Both Iadanza and John Lusardi, a fellow curler and trip co-organizer, joke that they only won because the Canadians weren’t accustomed to playing on arena ice.

“At our arena that we curl on, they run a Zamboni after they play hockey. And then we sweep a little bit and play so it's not flat,” said Lusardi. “There are some horror stories from the folks that came down and played with us about the ice. But they enjoyed our company enough that they invited us to come up here.”

Since it’s multipurpose ice, sometimes the lines are hard to see, Lusardi said, and cones are placed to indicate where the sheets end.

“What our ice lacked in quality we had to make up for with our hospitality,” Iadanza added.

The Long Islanders brought six teams with them when they visited Windsor Jan. 16-20 for a rematch.

The Americans were floored by the hospitality they received.

“I want them to know that... the warmth of the Windsor people has made up for the cold outside,” said Iadanza.

Windsor curlers not only spent the weekend enjoying challenging games of curling but much camaraderie. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Members of Team Lithgow (consisting of Tom Lithgow, Danielle Mahoney, Jeanne Lithgow and David Ruckdeschel) attempt to score some points. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

“This cup, I thought, was a one and done friendly competition. They were coming to New York, we're going to play once. But we've made lifetime friendships here,” said Iadanza.

“And there's talk of their return next year. And I'm sure that would mean we would be back up the following year. It seems like this is something that has legs and that will just continue. We started as strangers but we're now lifelong friends.”

Ilya Kasprowicz, the youngest participant at 13 years old, was sporting a Windsor Curling Club jacket when he took the ice Jan. 18. He received the coat — and an honorary membership — during the weekend celebration. He said he was thoroughly enjoying the camaraderie and the competition.

“To curl with people who are just this level of awesomeness, like they are so good at this game... it's awesome,” he said.

Kasprowicz said he hopes the relationship between the two curling clubs carries on for years to come.

“I hope so very much and I have no doubt that we will be long friends forever.”

Ilya Kasprowicz, 13, was sporting a Windsor Curling Club jacket as he competed with Team Wisbauer. He was impressed not only with the quality of play but by the hospitality shown by the Canadians. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Fred Lupfer was all smiles while on the ice representing Long Island. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Multiple gifts were presented during the visit, and Windsor’s town crier even gave a special address on the opening night. Hants West MLA Chuck Porter presented the Americans with a Nova Scotia flag to hang in their arena.

“It's a big thing to put 20 people together from a club to come up to Windsor, Nova Scotia, and to our great province, and this just says, 'Hey, thanks for coming and this is a little memorabilia for you. Take it back to your club and hang it and think about us... and we look forward to seeing you again soon,’” Porter said.

The Windsor Curling Club handily won this year’s Cairdeas Cup — 412 to 122 points, but as Kitchin says, that’s not what matters.

John Lusardi, from Long Island, helped organize the most recent curling trip. He said he hopes their curling club will one day have their own rink, with good ice, to play out of. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

“There's rivalry there, competition, but it's secondary to the friendship that's written on the cup. And that, you know, is what it's all about. It's just the friendship and sharing the sport,” said Kitchin.

The Windsor Curling Club is planning to send members to Long Island in January 2021 to defend the title.

Iadanz said he’s not sure how they can top the hospitality they received while visiting Windsor, but they will try.

The Americans were picked up at the airport, shuttled from the hotel to the curling club and other venues, and, Iadanza said, treated like ‘rock stars.’

“Honestly, we can't speak enough about the people in the club and everyone here that we've encountered. They just go above and beyond,” said Iadanza.

Curler and veteran firefighter Richard Smith brought several Long Islanders to the Windsor Fire Department museum the night of Jan. 17 to show give them a tour and fill them in on some history that connects them to Windsor. He also participated in the weekend curling championship. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

Alex Patterson, of the Windsor Curling Club, focuses on throwing his rock. CAROLE MORRIS-UNDERHILL

The Windsor Curling Club wound up winning this year’s Cairdeas Cup.

Nora Mongardi, Jack Glanzer, Denise Surgot, and Colin Kasprowicz were all smiles after the first day of competition in Windsor. CONTRIBUTED