New-look Team Jones makes its debut in Waterloo
WATERLOO — Skip Jennifer Jones adjusted her blue face mask, settled into the hack and, with new teammate Lisa Weagle to her right, released a stone in a competitive women’s team game for the first time since last winter.
“It’s great to be back on the ice, this is our happy place,” Jones said Friday.
The Roaring Game is back in a limited fashion with new rules in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The sport is slowly resuming play around the world in a season that remains one big question mark. Several top events have been postponed or cancelled with 2021 competitions tentative at best.
Team Jones was one of the showcase squads Friday at the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard.
This year’s competition, moved to nearby Waterloo since the regular host club has yet to reopen, is limited to a domestic field with most players from Ontario.
When Jones, Weagle, second Jocelyn Peterman and third Kaitlyn Lawes arrived at ice level for the morning draw at the KW Granite Club, they first had to find room for their gear. Benches and chairs by the sheets were blocked with yellow caution tape. Distancing and venue capacity rules were in effect under return-to-play guidelines.
The usual curling routine was noticeably different. Lockerroom access was limited so players arrived in their uniforms. Warm-ups were done in the parking lot or viewing lounge. Teams took to the ice in stages. Mask use was mandatory, although players could lower the covering at certain times if desired. To help with distancing, two players followed the rock down the ice but only one could sweep. The skip in control of the house was stationed in the rings area but was not supposed to put the broom down. The other skip waited by the boards.
Weagle, considered one of the best leads in the game, was dropped by Team Homan last March. She was snapped up by Team Jones, which became a five-player club (with lead Dawn McEwen, off this week).
Jones, 46, became an Olympic champion in 2014 and has won six national titles and two world titles. Weagle, 35, a three-time national champ, won a world title in ’17 and represented Canada at the ’18 Winter Games.
Team Jones opened with a 14-0 win over Team Bella Croisier in a game called after four ends.