Curlers challenging pudgy stereotype

Bad raps are hard to reverse, but Brad Jacobs is doing his part to change the stereotype of the chain-smoking, beer-bellied curler who spends more time in the bar than fine-tuning his craft on the ice.

Jacobs said there is a new era of athleticism emerging in curling and his Canadian crew is on the cutting edge of a fitness trend that has helped transform the sport's image ever since it debuted at the 1988 Calgary Olympics.

"Our identity as a team is of fit young guys," said Jacobs after Sunday's practice at the Ice Cube curling center ahead of Canada's opening round win over Germany on Monday.