Team Sask.’s new mom Vey does double duty
RED DEER — Lana Vey’s house is filled with more than curling rocks at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Vey, who is playing third with Regina’s Michelle Englot at the Canadian women’s curling championship, is also a first-time mother. She’s juggling the duties of looking after Hudson, her six-month-old son, and curling in Canada’s premier event for female curlers.
“This season he’s come to everything with me,’’ said Vey, who opens play tonight at the Enmax Centrium against Nova Scotia’s Heather-smith Dacey. “If I need to go feed him and take some extra time to do that, my team has let me do that. I feel if I don’t have that part of my life set, it would be hard to go on the ice. They have been great about that.’’
Vey has already adapted to her dual roles. Her team- mates flew to Calgary on Thursday and then took shuttles to Red Deer. Vey and her husband, Dale Nagrampa, drove from Regina to Red Deer with their van filled with baby supplies.
“It was the best way to go because Hudson has more stuff than we do,’’ Vey said with a chuckle.
Vey isn’t alone when it comes to doubling up at the Scotties. There are five women in the field with babies, including Jolene Campbell, the alternate with Kronau’s Amber Holland.
Vey and Campbell adjusted to curling with children during the cash season. They also did it with a great deal of assistance from their families and spouses. The parents of Vey and Campbell are here to look after the babies while their mothers are focused on curling. Vey is also nursing, which means she has to look after herself during the Scotties.
“I’m not sure how the week will go, because it’s so busy
“I’VE BEEN REALLY LUCKY TO HAVE PLAYED WITH THE BEST OF THE BEST.”
LANA VEY
at the Scotties,’’ Vey said. “It seems like you’re jumping from one thing to the next. I’ll probably have him handed to me over the boards to feed him right after a game. It’s kind of stressful too because I have to make sure that I’m eating and drinking enough and getting enough rest as well.’’
Vey is committed to the team, but is conflicted over what’s ahead for her and Hudson.
“I don’t think it’s fair for me to do all of my things and I don’t want to short him in any way,’’ Vey said. “You feel kind of torn at times because you want to do the best job you can with both things.’’
Vey had experience at Scotties, which helps. She has shared in three provincial women’s championships with three different teams. She was a third with Regina’s Jan Betker in 2007 and finished second at the Scotties while being selected a second-team all-star. In 2009, Vey played lead with Saskatoon’s Stefanie Lawton and was selected a first-team all-star at the Scotties. Vey would like to add to those accomplishments with Englot, second Roberta Materi and lead Sarah Slywka.
“I don’t know how it all happened,’’ Vey said. “To play with three different (teams) in that short of a time frame, doesn’t look too good.’’
Circumstances dictated Vey’s moves. Betker retired from competitive curling after the 2007 Scotties. Lawton’s team was based in Saskatoon and Vey grew weary of the travel.
“I’ve been really lucky to have played with the best of the best,’’ Vey said.