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HTDE: Curling Stones and Halfpipe Lines

February 18, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The job of painting the blue lines in Olympic halfpipes and big air courses is held by the "Chief of Color," Nick Monty, who skis while spraying the markings. 
  • American curling legend Rich Ruinen, a two-time national champion and personal injury lawyer, was set to make his Olympic debut at age 54 as an alternate after decades of trying. 
  • All Olympic curling stones are sourced from Ailsa Craig, an uninhabited Scottish island, where two different types of granite are combined to create the perfect stone. 

Segments

Introduction and Sponsor Read
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Instacart’s app features a preference picker allowing users to specify desired ripeness for items like bananas.
  • Summary: The segment begins with a sponsor message for Instacart, highlighting their new preference picker feature. This tool lets shoppers know exactly how ripe or unripe customers want their bananas. This feature helps guide shoppers’ choices upfront.
Interview with Chief of Color
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(00:00:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Nick Monty, the Chief of Color, skis while spraying blue lines on Olympic halfpipes and must quickly repaint lines between athlete runs.
  • Summary: Nick Monty, the Chief of Color for the Milan Cortina Olympics, skis while painting the blue lines on the halfpipe and big air slopes. He carries about 20 kilos of spray equipment on his shoulder while working. Monty must often work quickly between competitors’ runs, sometimes only getting one or two landings done before hiding again.
Rich Ruinen’s Olympic Journey
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(00:06:53)
  • Key Takeaway: Rich Ruinen, a 54-year-old alternate curler, pursued an Olympic spot since 1988 and could become the oldest American Winter Olympian by throwing one rock.
  • Summary: Rich Ruinen is an American curling legend and personal injury lawyer from Minneapolis who has been trying to make the Olympic team since 1988. He has experienced several near misses, including finishing second multiple times after trials. If he throws one rock in competition, he will become the oldest U.S. Winter Olympian ever.
Curling Stone Manufacturing Facts
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(00:14:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Curling stones are made from two types of granite—Elsa Craig Common Green and Elsa Craig Bluehorn—quarried from an uninhabited island 10 miles off the coast of Scotland.
  • Summary: All curling stones used at the Olympics are made by Kays of Scotland, a company operating for 175 years. The stones are crafted from two distinct granites found on the uninhabited island of Ailsa Craig. The company also sells stones globally, including to a research station in Antarctica.
Show Wrap-up and Question Call
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(00:18:39)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts reflect on the unique job title ‘Chief of Color’ and remind listeners to submit questions to [email protected].
  • Summary: The hosts conclude the episode by reflecting on the power held by the Chief of Color, who dictates the visual lines on the slopes. They remind listeners that questions for the show should be sent to [email protected]. The show is produced by Schuyler Swenson with technical direction from Lorna White.