Curl Runnings! Philippines hoping to sweep into Winter Olympics

A banker, a construction worker, an electrician and an entrepreneur from snowy Switzerland have an unlikely shot at making Winter Olympics curling history — for the tropical Philippines.

Jamaica's bobsleigh team was immortalized in the movie Cool Runnings after taking part in the 1988 Winter Olympics.

And the "Curling Pilipinas" could be the next candidates for the Hollywood treatment, should they find themselves on the ice at Milano-Cortina in 2026.

The Swiss-Filipino men's quartet are this week gaining invaluable experience at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, their biggest stage yet.

Just two years after the launch of the country's curling federation, the men's team — whose members were all born in Switzerland to Filipino mothers — have already secured a place in Olympics pre-qualification later this year.

Unlike their full-time competitors from Asian winter sports powerhouses South Korea, Japan and China, the Philippines team members still work their day jobs.

"We are fully committed, but the money is always tight," said lead Alan Frei. "But, it's for the plot, it's for the story, right?"

Frei has spent around 30,000 euros ($31,000) on the team, which was largely self-funded before the Asian Winter Games, according to Philippines curling federation president Benjo Delarmente, who is also the squad's reserve player.

The Philippines are not intimidated going up against the best because of the team's top-tier chemistry, Frei told reporters during practice at the Harbin Pingfang District Curling Arena.

'It's always funny'

"It's just a great team dynamic," said Frei, who describes himself as an "E-commerce entrepreneur", whose online ventures have, in the past, included a sex toy store.

"We love hanging out with each other. It's always funny, we are cracking jokes. So that's our big advantage."

They also have some experience.