Given all the hours of darkness it feels only appropriate that we use this time productively to view as much cricket, rugby union, golf, cycling, F1, soccer, tennis, basketball, ice hockey and whatever else we can find.
So with almost three months of winter ahead of us, it's time to take stock and get a little giddy at what's to come.
The Majors: US Open June 13-16, Open Championship July 18 - 21, PGA Championship August 8 - 11
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| David Graham: In the company of Hogan & Trevino |
It is only apt that we start with the current event on our global sporting tour. At the very course where Australian David Graham played one of the finest rounds of gold Ben Hogan had ever seen. Where there are no flags on the sticks, but wicker baskets. At the course where the aforementioned Bob Hogan won the US Open in 1950 the year after being hit by a bus. The same Merion East where Lee Trevino beat Jack Nicklaus in 1971 in an 18 hole playoff (Nicklaus was runner up to Trevino four times in majors).
This will be a test of the accurate golfer as much as the strong golfer. It will be a trip down memory lane, with the US Open switching from its traditional big open club to the smaller, less 'convenient' venue. If the rain stays away this will be a test for all golfers including the 8 Aussies!
The Ashes: July 10 - 14, July 18 - 22, August 1 - 5, August 9 - 13 and August 21 - 25
Ignore the form, David Warner Root-ing incident and all the fanfare in the build up and relish the thought of the Ashes, test cricket in its purest, finest form. Be it 5-0, 2-1 or 2-2, it's the Ashes, and we get the pleasure of watching, dissecting and discussing every decision, run and tweet that happens on tour. As Michael Clarke's back crumbles from supporting the weight of the Aussie batting line up, we will turn to Richard Hind's 'real openers'; Chris Rogers and Ed Cowan. These are openers with opening the betting foremost on their mind. Taking the shine off the new ball, lowering the moral of the opposing team and striving for a run rate of 2 an over. And while our bowling stocks might not have Warne, Gillespie or
And the good news if we lose? We only have to wait three months to get the urn back.
The Lions Tour: June 22 & 29, July 6
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| Oh we miss John.... |
Being a naive country boy from Tassie in 2001, where rugby was foreign to most, I never understood this tour. To me it was just a guise for the in form English team to tour once more.
Fast forward to today and the almost child like excitement of some of my co-workers. Between that and the selling out of tour games I have come to realise how big this tour is, and not just for the ARU bank account. Unlike 12 years ago there is no Johnny Wilkinson, but for that matter there isn't a George Gregan or Matt Burke, and there isn't much confidence from the locals.
But as with the Ashes, if we fail, the Super Rugby finals start at the end of July.
Tour de France: June 29 - July 21
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| Speaking of winter. The familiar site of Team Sky leading the way. |
As you may have noticed earlier in the year I am rather fond of these three weeks. I don't cycle myself, I didn't ride more than any normal kid around the back yard and no one I knew particularly liked cycling. The origin of my fascination with the Tour is unknown, but what is known is that every July, France puts on the most viewed annual sporting event in the world.
If we thought last year was bad enough with the English bathing in Wiggin's and the Olympic success, then this year could be worse. With the Ashes, the Lions and Chris Froome all in ominous form, the English are as cocky as ever. Even so, this is the 100th running of the race that was founded to boost newspaper numbers and promises to be something special!
State of Origin: June 26 & July 17
Also known as rounds 2 and 3. As a Queensland supporter I can saw without doubt that the Maroons were thoroughly outplayed in game 1 and didn't deserve to win. That said, how someone can throw numerous pre-meditated punches to the head of an unsuspecting opponent and get away with it, before being glorified and applauded by the rest of his team mates, state and code supporters, goes to show why some think the NRL is so far behind the other codes, not in terms of the game itself, but its attitude and mentality.
We are surrounded by worthwhile causes such as 'one punch can kill', and live in a city where that week a young man was king hit for no reason, yet we say because this is Origin and he tackled dirty it's ok. Anyway, off the soap box now. Onto Suncorp Stadium for a Queensland win setting up the most fascinating game in 8 years.
World Cup Qualifier: June 18 (Confederations Cup 15-30th)
It won't quite be as dramatic as that night in November 2011 (still my number 1 sporting moment), but next Tuesday will shape the Australian sporting landscape for the next year. A win and we return to where many of us think we rightfully belong. However, we should not forget the achievement, nor the 32 years we waited for this back in 2006. It is still, as it was in those dreaded 5th place South American days, a tough process to get to the World Cup. As such, if we beat Iraq next week we should be grateful we are there.
Grand Prix's: British June 28 - 30, German July 5 - 7, Hungarian July 26 - 28, Belgium 23 - 25 August
A European summer wouldn't be complete without a lap around Silverstone or Spa. Two of the most famed races on the calendar book end the summer racing schedule (and the month long break). In what has been an exciting season, it is starting to look eerily similar to last year's final results, much to the disgust of my pre-season prediction. But anything can happen over the next few months, especially with another 8 races to come after this.
Wimbledon: June 24 - July 7
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| Is he smiling about winning or Andy crying? |
Capping off our European vacation is the most fabled of all the events, Wimbledon. There are just as many questions as possibilities at the All England Club this year. Can Roger win one more? Will Nadal's knees hold up? Can Murray avenge the loss and tears of last July? Will Serena continue her amazing run after winning the French Open 11 years after her first win?
So many questions, but one thing is clear. On the night of June 30, we can celebrate the end of financial year in style by watching Wimbledon, the Tour and the British Grand Prix. Any money on Cavendish to win that day?
US Sports: NBA Finals & Stanley Cup - June
Spurs v Miami. The prince and the pauper. The glitz and glamour versus the tried and tested. The new big three versus the old big three. Patty Mills towel waving against Juwan Howard's high fives. This is the title that makes Tim Duncan one of the best five players ever or makes LeBron's season one of the greatest ever.
Currently it's 2-2 thanks to some Tony Parker heroics, two blow outs and the big three living up to their reputation today in San Antonio. As I wrote last week, the fan base is split between those that want to witness greatness in LeBron, or those that want to witness greatness in the Spurs 5 titles over 14 years.
Meanwhile game 1 of Stanley Cup just finished, becoming the fifth longest Stanley Cup game in history after going into triple overtime. Now I could go on about this but in a lockout shortened season, ice hockey deserves nothing more than a shortened mention.
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