TEAM CANADA EYES GOLD
There’s a box of priceless treasure awaiting Kerri Einarson and the rest of her teammates when they arrive in Prince George this week to begin their quest for World Women’s Curling Championship.
It’s the bounty they earned for winning the Scotties Tournament of Hearts two weeks ago in Moose Jaw. Inside that box is the Team Canada gear they’ll be wearing on the ice at CN Centre for a nine-day tournament which could be the culmination of their collective curling dreams.
“I am most looking to receiving our Canada jackets, I really can’t wait to put that maple leaf on our back,” said Einarson.
“It feels really amazing and I think it’s finally starting to sink in.”
As Manitoba champions, Einarson and her team of third Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard, lead Briane Meilleur and alternate Jennifer Clark-Rouire won the right to represent Canada and their home club in Gimli when they beat Rachel’s Homan’s Ontario rink 8-7 in the Scotties final, Feb. 23.
“Even putting the Manitoba jersey on for the Scotties was super-exciting for us, so it’s going to the same thing with the maple leaf, even more exciting, and I just get goosebumps thinking about it now,” said Meilleur. “I know we can’t wait to get those uniforms and put them on for the first time and really let it sink in. It’s going to be a really surreal feeling.”
Canada will take on Eve Muirhead of
Scotland in the first game for both teams Saturday, at 7 p.m. Einarson doesn’t think she will feel any added pressure when she’s on the ice calling the shots for the host team.
“I don’t think so, I think we’re just going to thrive off of that crowd and we’re going to feel the support behind us so I think that will be a good thing,” said Einarson.
The Scotties win was sweet vindication for the 32-year-old Einarson, who lost to Jennifer Jones in the national final in 2018 in Penticton, after finishing fourth in Canada in 2016.
Sweeting was a Scotties finalist as the Alberta skip in 2014 and 2015 and never lost faith she would get another chance.
“You never know for sure but we worked really hard and were having a good week and that’s all you can do is put yourself into those finals and one day it’ll pay off,” said Sweeting.
“The team just played really well. We got a couple breaks early and just ran with it. In that tough of a competition, that’s all you can do.”
Sweeting has never been to Prince George but heard positive reviews from curlers who attended the Road to the Roar Olympic trials qualifier at CN Centre in November 2009.
“They said it was just an excellent time and a really great venue and such a great host city,” said Sweeting, who lived with her family in Manitoba until she was 13, before moving to Saskatchewan and eventually Vegreville, Alta. “I’m looking forward to getting there and getting settled in and playing in front of that great crowd.”