Rivalry between former teammates rolls on
RED DEER — Amber Holland and Michelle Englot haven’t always been curling rivals.
There was a season when the Saskatchewan-based skips at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts were members of the same women’s curling team. In 2003, Holland skipped a team that included Englot at third, Roberta Materi at second and Lorie Kehler at lead. It was a union of convenience as the two skips were looking for new teams after competing in the 2001 Olympic curling trials and the 2002 playdowns.
“I was wondering what to do after the trials and Michelle asked me to play,’’ said Holland, who is skipping Team Canada at the Canadian women’s curling championship and Englot is in charge of Team Saskatchewan at the Enmax Centrium. “We didn’t have success, so we broke up.’’
It wasn’t the type of year that was expected when two of the province’s top skips joined forces. Holland and Englot won $6,000 on the cash circuit and then failed to advance beyond the city playdowns.
“It was my only year of playing third,’’ said Englot, who is a seven-time Saskatchewan women’s champion as a skip. “It all comes down to a whole team believing in each other. Amber started to second guess herself and I didn’t help her out at all. You need to have players who believe in your abilities. I realize now how important it is for your third to show confidence in you. I’ve played with a few who haven’t had confidence in me. It definitely brings down your playing ability.’’
Holland and Englot find themselves at a Scotties to- gether for the first time. Holland won the 2011 Canadian women’s curling championship and returned as the defending champion. That accomplishment means Saskatchewan has two representatives at the Canadian women’s championship for the first time since 1998. That year, Regina’s Sandra Schmirler returned as the defending Canadian champion and Cathy Trowell, also of Regina, was the Saskatchewan champion.
“I definitely want to thank Amber for creating the opportunity,’’ said Englot, who is backed by her Tartan team of Lana Vey, Materi and Sarah Slywka. “We have a strong field of women’s curlers in Sas- katchewan, so it’s nice to have that opportunity. We’ll just slide in under the radar and let her take the entire spotlight.’’
Holland has grown accustomed to the spotlight at the Scotties. It’s the third straight appearance at the Canadian championship for Holland and her Kronau team of Kim and Tammy Schneider and Heather Kalenchuk. Holland earned trips as a Saskatchewan champion in 2010 and 2011.
Friday was devoted to practice, team photos and the Ford Hot Shots, an individual skills competition.
“The pre- competition practices are my favourites, because you’re kind of by yourself in the arena with the other teams,’’ Holland said. “It’s nice to have the quiet arena before the energy hits.’’
Holland said she wasn’t nervous before the championship started.
“I’m more anxious than anything else,’’ Holland said. “I want to get out there. I don’t get the butterflies. I’m just ready to play already.’’
Holland opens play today (2 p.m.) against Heather Strong of Newfoundland and Labrador. Englot takes the ice tonight (7 p. m.) against Heather Smith-dacey of Nova Scotia.
“It doesn’t wear off after all of these years,’’ said Englot, who is making her first appearance at the Scotties since 2008 in Regina. “It’s exciting year after year. You have all of the new clothes and you get to try them on. (Friday) is always an exciting day.’’
The Scotties run through Feb. 26. The Canadian champion is to represent Canada at the Ford world championship, March 17-25 in Lethbridge.