Englot’s cheering section is genuinely cut out for curling
As a rule, curling fans are generally a laid-back lot, quiet except for occasional polite applause to praise great shots.
Now along come Brandy Westcott and Jordan Hogan.
They’ve made their voices heard at the Roar of the Rings, occasionally screaming out “I love you” in the middle of the action in praise of their better halves on Team Englot.
They’ve also made their presence felt by dressing up in decidedly non-curling spectator attire, including fluorescent green, fullbodied spandex suits.
They’ve also helped fill a few of the many empty seats at Canadian Tire Centre, plopping down larger-than-life cardboard cut-outs of Englot team members.
“We carry them in a big TV box,” Westcott says of the extra faces. “We need it with all the padding and everything, but I hear people asking, ‘Why are they bringing a TV in to watch curling?’”
Curling runs in Westcott’s blood. His sister, Raunora, plays lead on Michelle Englot’s Winnipeg-based squad. His wife, Leslie Wilson, is the team’s second. His father, Ron Westcott, is the coach.
Hogan’s girlfriend, Kate Cameron, serves as the third.
The cardboard cut-outs have been around since a Winnipeg sign shop made them in advance of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts at St. Catharines, Ont., in February. The idea seems to have grown. Large faces were spotted at the men’s Brier in St. John’s, N.L., in March. Across the rink from Westcott and Hogan on Wednesday afternoon were a few Jennifer Jones cardboard cut-outs.
While it has been a long few days on the ice for Team Englot — Wednesday’s 9-6 win over Julie Tippin’s squad was the rink’s first after four defeats — their fans have brought energy to the arena.
“It’s so cool, it’s awesome,” Wilson said. “I love when my husband comes out to these events because he’s just so loud in the stands and I always hear his voice cheering me on. And I’m so glad my mom and dad are here, too.”