Canadian icemaking gurus Hans Wuthrich and Dave Merklinger will be the technicians in charge of the curling sheets at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, the World Curling Federation announced Monday.

Wuthrich, of Gimli, Man., is generally acknowledged as the best icemaker in the world. The 50-year-old has been behind many big events during his career, but admits nothing compares to the Olympics.

"I've done so many events, I don't know the actual number," said Wuthrich, who will serve as the head technician. "I started keeping track of them in 1993, after I did my first big one, the men's worlds in Geneva in 1992.

"Just the prestige of doing the Olympics will make it different from anything I've experienced."

Merklinger, of New Westminister, B.C., will serve as Wuthrich's technical assistant. He also said working the Olympics will be a career high.

"I pebbled my first sheet of ice in 1969," said Merklinger. "My first head ice job was in 1974. But I've been hoping for the Olympic job for the past few years.

"I've always said, once I get to do the Olympics, I've done it all."

Wuthrich and Merklinger have worked together on more than 10 major curling events over the years, both overseas and across Canada.

Merklinger recently headed the ice crew at the 2007 Canadian men's championship and the 2007 men's world championship in Edmonton.