Issue 2 – Sunday, January 31, 2010 • An Offi cial Publication of the Canadian Curling Association.

DON’T BE A

LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN THE HOUSE!

We want the 2009-2010 Season of Champions to be a safe one for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced the DUI-ver program. We encourage all our fans to make the most of the Keith’s Patch experience. But when it’s time to head home, please arrange a responsible ride.

Thishouse isrockin’!Surprising Islandersgrab the early lead

Andrea Kelly and herNew Brunswick rinkhad a rough openingday Saturday, withtwo straight defeats.

■ P.E.I. picks a few pockets, Page 2

■ Holland’s a realhot shot, Page 7

Changesto lineupprove helpfulfor Day 1frontrunnersLarry WoodHeartChart Editor

It was good enough for Russ Howard and Brad Gushue at the 2006

Olympic Games, so why not Prince Edward Island’s latest Scotties curling con-tender?

“That’s the way we fi g-ured it,” said veteran skip and second shooter Kathy O’Rourke following her second straight Scotties victory Saturday night at the Essar Centre, an 11-8 con-quest of New Brunswick’s Andrea Kelly.

O’Rourke actually was the last piece of the puzzle in place for this new Island team that sets the pace at 2-and-0 going into today’s three-draw schedule.

Having played in fi ve previous renditions of the Canadian women’s curling championship, O’Rourke was obvious choice to call the shots on a team with a pair of 21-year-old junior grads and long-time lead Tricia Affl eck.

The latter was look-ing for a new team and consulted O’Rourke who recommended the back end of last year’s P.E.I. junior contender — Erin Carmody and Geri-Lynn Ramsay. The three joined forces and then decided O’Rourke would make an ideal fourth, much like Howard fi t like a glove when Gushue won the 2005 Trials and the 2006 gold medal at Torino.

O’Rourke said the young players on the back end “are very good shooters” and lifting the responsibility of skipping from Carmody’s shoulders in her fi rst Scot-ties is a sound tactical move.

“I think it will be very helpful,” said O’Rourke. “She (Carmody) doesn’t have to worry about whether or not she has taken the right ice, she just has to go down and execute. And the combination has worked well so far.

“It was a little tricky at fi rst, skipping for lead rocks, then running down the ice to throw two, then running back to call the shots for the last four. But I’m getting

used to the drill now.”Carmody agreed.“Kathy calls a great game,

she knows exactly where to put the broom down and we all trust her completely,” said the last-rocker. “It just makes sense the way we’re lined up and, also, I love to sweep so I get my share of

that.”Still, the

Islanders are far from looking forward to a picnic fol-lowing Day One.

“It’s exciting to be here,” said Carmody, “but I think I’m still a little nervous.”

Earlier, P.E.I. stole nine points in a surprising 10-3 pummelling of Saskatch-ewan’s Amber Holland Kro-nau who had won the Ford Hot Shots skills competition

earlier in the day.“I’d trade the car for the

win,” said Holland. “We forgot how to curl. They came out strong, we didn’t, hence the result.”

Defending champion Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg opened with an evening win in her lone assignment of the day, pulling away from a former teammate — Mani-toba’s Jill Thurston — by a 10-5 count.

Jones stole three-enders in the fourth and ninth ends.

“The ice was fudging and I just never caught on to it,” said Thurston. “I’d throw what I thought was draw weight and it was light. I threw eight feet more and it was light. I’d throw another six feet and I was still light. I just never got it.”

Said Jones: “The teams that catch on to the ice for the whole week are the teams that’ll be there at the

end. The ice may have been a little challenging but you have to adjust and I think we did a pretty good job of that.”

On an adjacent sheet, young Alberta upstart Val-erie Sweeting of Edmonton followed a string of up-sets in her home province by stunning 2007 world champion Kelly Scott of Kelowna 6-5.

Sweeting was scored at 95 per cent on her last shots. Scott was heavy on a last-rock draw for two in the 10th end to force overtime.

“We lost our fi rst game to Tracy Streifel and came back to win the Scotties,” reasoned Scott, “so this isn’t the end of the world.”

Sweeting, 22, said her team is far from being intimidated by the fi eld of champions.

“We just wanted to go out there and play like we

know we can,” she said. “We knew it would be a good game and we had to take our chances when they came along and if we did that we could do well.”

Host-province favourite Ontario exploded from the starting gate on the afternoon shift, stealing six points en route to as 9-2 pummelling of New Bruns-wick’s Kelly.

McCarville won 11 straight at the start of the month to win the Ontario title after fi nishing third at the Tim Hortons Olym-pic Trials at Edmonton in December. “It was a nice way to get it going,” said McCarville, who added she’s never entered a Scot-ties feeling more confi dent in herself and her team.

This is McCarville’s fourth Ontario representa-tion in fi ve years.

Please see CHANGES,Page 10

Page 2 HeartChart

Islanders shakin’ it up

Newfoundland’s ShelleyNichols, above, calls a stone into the house during a 12-2 victory over the Territories.

Why so glum, chum? P.E.I.’s Geri-Lynn Ramsay, left, and Tricia Affleck discuss strategy during a two-win opening day at the Scotties. The Islanders defeated Saskatchewan and New Brunswick on Saturday.

Page 3Sunday, January 31, 2010

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FACES OF THE GAMES: At left,members of Saskatchewan’s rink (from left, Heather Kalenchuk, Amber Holland and Tammy Schneider) reflect on theirScotties debut, a 10-3 loss to P.E.I.Below, Ontario skip Krista McCarvilleholds daughter Isabella, aged four months.

Page 4 HeartChart

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Tara’s biggest fanwill be rooting

from the stands

There’s no question that Tom and Mary Coulterman will be

two of the most engaged fans during the 2010 Scot-ties Tournament of Hearts underway at the Essar Centre here in Sault Ste. Marie. That’s because this year’s Scotties is a family affair for the Coultermans, whose daughter Tara George is playing third for Team Ontario.

Tara grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and began curling at a young age under the tutelage of her father Tom, who’s well known in curling circles as one of Canada’s top junior coaches. Tom says although he has worn

two hats, those of a father and a coach, he has only one focus during the Scotties.

“I’m here as a father this week,” he says. “I may look at certain shots and the way she throws and everything else, but I try not to get involved because Rick Lang is their coach now and I don’t want to detract from that.”

Tara, meantime, says she’s “not nervous, just excited” to be playing in front of a hometown crowd, which is expected to be loud and boisterous all week in support of Team Ontario, particularly when Tara’s in the hack.

“The one thing I’ve al-ways loved about the Sault is how the people get behind their teams,” she says.

The arena was also packed in Thunder Bay earlier this month when the Krista McCarville rink, with Tara at third, won the Ontario championship for the fourth time. Tara said the large crowds in Thunder Bay gave the team a good idea of what it would be like here in the Sault.

Tara arrived in Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday night

from Thunder Bay, where she works as a casino shift manager at the OLG Casino.

It’s been a somewhat har-rowing time for her leading up to the Sault trip. Last week she was in a car acci-dent in Thunder Bay, when her vehicle was rear-ended by another car in slippery road conditions. Fortu-nately, she was not seriously injured.

“I’m OK . . . just a little stiff. I saw a chiropractor in Thunder Bay and I’ll prob-ably get to know the local massage therapist here in the Sault quite well,” says Tara.

She, her husband and two children also had a scary trip from Thunder Bay to the Sault, along the blustery shores of Lake Superior, on Thursday night. Blizzard-like conditions made travel a little hair-raising with zero visibility in some areas. They arrived safely, but too late for Tara to meet up with her dad at the Essar Centre. They fi nally got together Friday morning.

Please see CRONIN,Page 10

JIM CRONINHeartChart Columnist

Page 5Sunday, January 31, 2010

O N T A R I O C A N A D A

Sault Ste. MarieTourism SSM and the City of SSM

proudly welcome all athletes, family and fans to the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

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Prairie prideovercomes

fire’s ferocity

Hey, ever heard of a major curling com-petition postponed

on account of — wait for it — fi re?

You hear often about power failure, ice-plant breakdowns and the usual complaints about ice condi-tions at these affairs but a six-alarm confl agration? Ninety-nine times out of 100 it would be, “sorry, pardon the chaos, event cancelled.”

Not so, however, in beau-tiful downtown Kindersley, original site of the 2010

Saskatchewan Scotties championship.

The blaze began to crackle on Jan. 8 when, at roughly 10 a.m., fi re alarms sounded in the West Central Events Centre, a complex that includes two hockey rinks and the adjacent Kindersley Curling Club.

Lead players were just fi tting their footwear in the hacks when the uproar com-menced.

Scotties contenders imme-diately were evacuated from

the premises. More than 60 fi refi ghters from Kinders-ley, nearby Eatonia, Eston and Kerrobert soon were on hand to fi ght the battle. In addition, the Oyen fi re department over the border in Alberta was placed on stand-by.

No one was seriously injured and the cause of the blaze was not suspicious.

Please see WOOD,Page 12

LARRY WOODHeartChart Editor

Photo courtesy, saskcurl.comFire consumes Kindersley’s old arena on Jan. 8.

Page 6 HeartChart

Nova Scotia: Pink drinks, KD, rubber boot reliance,Vic Rauter worship and feta fetishes

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Skip: NancyMcConnery

Home: DartmouthBegan curling at age: 23 Delivery: RightOccupation/title: VP administrationEmployer: Translogic Dis-tribution ServicesDate of birth: Feb. 26, 1963Place of birth: OttawaMarital status: MarriedSpouse/partner: PeterChildren: Jason (18), Jamie (17)First vehicle: Ford Thun-derbirdCurrent vehicle: 2009 Honda CivicFavourite food: Prime rib roastFavourite drink: Choco-late liqueurCelebrity dream man: Dennis QuaidMost annoying celebrity: Jennifer AnistonAll-time favourite movie: FrequencyLast movie she loved: Day After TomorrowLast movie she hated: Anything directed by Quentin TarantinoTattooed? NoneNever leave home with-out: Her hair fixedCompeted in: 93, 95, 03, 09 Scotties.

Third: JenniferCrouse

Home: Timberlea, N.S.Began curling at age: 13Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Regional sales managerEmployer: Manulife Finan-cialDate of birth: Jan. 23, 1980Place of birth: Antigonish, N.S.Marital status: Common-lawSpouse/partner: JeffChildren: No kids (cat and

dog instead)First vehicle: 2001 Saturn SC2Current vehicle: 2007 yel-low Beetle convertibleFavourite food: Kraft Din-nerFavourite drink: Black rum and cokeCelebrity dream man: Paul WalkerMost annoying celebrity: Paris HiltonAll-time favourite movie: The Power Of OneLast movie she loved: 27 Dresses (loves Katherine Heigl)Last movie she hated: I Am Legend (it

scared the

begee-bies out of her and she didn’t sleep for two weeks)Tattooed? Doesn’t need them, has a purple birthmark and a large Nova Scotia-shaped birthmarkNever leaves home with-out: Her rubber bootsCompeted in: 09 Scotties.

Second: SheenaGilman

Home: Parry Sound, Ont., and DartmouthBegan curling at age: 12Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Intern Architect

Employer: Fowler Bauld and Mitchell Architecture Ltd.Date of birth: Dec 12, 1978Place of birth: OttawaMarital status: UnmarriedSpouse/partner: NoneChildren: NoneFirst vehicle: 97 SaturnCurrent vehicle: 97 Sat-urnFavourite food: Anything homemadeFavourite drink: Anything pinkCelebrity dream man: Vic RauterMost annoying celebrity:

Paris HiltonAll-time

favourite movie: The Red Violin

Last movie she loved: Life As A HouseLast movie she hated: NoneTattooed? Not yet . . .Never leaves home with-out: Turning off all the lightsCompeted in: 09 Scotties

Lead: JillThomas

Home: Cole Harbour, N.S.Began curling at age: 21Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Egg pro-ducer, owner/operatorEmployer: Scotia Poultry Farm Ltd.Date of birth: April 5, 1975Place of birth: HalifaxMarital status: Hoping he

will ask soon!Spouse/

partner: James McNeil

Children: NoneFirst vehicle: Dodge ShadowCurrent vehicle: Jeep LibertyFavourite food: Chicken Favourite drink: Bahama MommasCelebrity dream man: Bradley CooperMost annoying celebrity: Lindsay LohanAll-time favourite movie: Pretty WomanLast movie she loved: UpLast movie she hated: Anything horrorTattooed? Not in this life-time!Never leaves home with-out: Gum and chapstickCompeted in: 09 Scotties

Fifth: KellyMacIntosh

Home: HalifaxBegan curling at age: 12Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Regis-tered nurseEmployer: IWK Health Centre, Pediatric Intensive Care UnitDate of birth: May 8, 1980Place of birth: TruroMarital status: Relation-shipSpouse/partner: Eduardo AlvarezChildren: NoneFirst vehicle: 2009 Pon-tiac VibeCurrent vehicle: 2009 Pontiac VibeFavourite food: Pizza, especially with feta cheeseFavourite drink: Mango juiceCelebrity dream man: Vic RauterMost annoying celebrity: Paula AbdulAll-time favourite movie: For the Love of the GameLast movie she loved: Four ChristmasesLast movie she hated: Drillbit TaylorTattooed? Nothing per-manentNever leaves home with-out: ShoesCompeted in: 99 Junior Nationals.

Coach: CaroleMacLean

Home: DartmouthOccupation/title: Dental hygienist Employer: Micmac Dental CentreDate of birth: May 18, 1960Place of birth: HalifaxCoached: 09 Scotties

From left, NancyMcConnery, Jill Thomasand Sheena Gilman.

Page 7Sunday, January 31, 2010

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FORD HOT SHOTS COMPETITION

Saskatchewanskip outduelsMacLean inevent finalLarry WoodHeartChart Editor

Suddenly, Amber Hol-land needs a double garage.

The skip of the Saskatch-ewan team at the 2010 Scotties at the Essar Centre executed a perfect last-rock double-takeout which vaulted her into the driver’s seat of a brand new Taurus in Saturday’s Ford Hot Shots fi nale.

Holland already drives of 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander, an all-wheel drive vehicle perfect for Saskatchewan winters. Now she also has a two-year lease on the 2010 Taurus.

Holland, who doubles as executive director of the Saskatchewan Curl-ing Association, defeated Ontario lead Kari MacLean of Thunder Bay 21-18 in the Hot Shots wrap-up. MacLean took the lead on the fi rst shot of the points competition with a draw to the button and the advan-tage see-sawed back and forth between the two on

every subsequent shot. Holland reaped a fi ve-

point reward from her double-kill to complete the assignment. MacLean then drew a blank on the same shot.

So what’s Holland going to do with the new unit and how will she split the spoils with her rinkmates?

“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ll probably drive it. Actu-ally, I guess I get the car pool for the next two years. I’ll be picking up everybody and driving everywhere we go. Sometimes I drive when we’re on the road. Now it’s going to be full-time.”

Holland and lead Heather Kalenchuk reside in Regina while the Schneider sisters, third Kim and second Tammy, are from Kronau, a handful of kilometres south-east of the Queen City. All are appearing in their initial Scotties.

Coincidentally, the Sch-neiders’ father and uncles made their only Brier ap-pearance at the Sault back in 1990 and compiled a 6-6 record. They are leading the Saskatchewan cheerleading brigade at the Scotties.

But while Holland consid-ers the Hot Shots victory a good omen of sorts — “Why not?” she asks — it really doesn’t take away from the Scotties job at hand.

“It’s nice to win the compe-

tition. I’m just glad I executed enough shots,” said Holland, who favoured the out-turn on her shots. “I really didn’t expect to win it. But there’s a whole lot of games left to happen. We have to do what we came here to do. It hasn’t got anything to do with win-ning a car.”

Holland tied withMacLean at 16 points in the quarter-fi nals behind Tammy Schneider (25) and Winni-peg’s Jill Thurston (21).

Eliminated were Friday’s preliminary leader Dawn Askin of Team Canada with 13 points, Quebec’s Brenda Nicholls with 14, Manito-ba’s Kristen Phillips with 13 and Territories lead Danielle Ellis with 10.

In the semi-fi nals, Hol-land and MacLean set up the tight fi nal by matching 24-point performances. Thurston logged 19 points and Schneider faltered to a mere 12.

MacLean won $2,000 for her runner-up fi nish while Thurston, the Manitoba skip, claimed $1,000.

The shotmaking compe-tition requires curlers to execute six shots: Hit-and-stay, draw-the-button, draw-the-port, raise, hit-and-roll and double takeout. Each shot is awarded points on a scale from 0-5, rating the success of each.

Sweepers were allowed for the fi nal rounds Saturday

but were not involved in the preliminaries.

The Ford of Canada Taurus has an approximate retail value in excess of $25,000. The vehicle fea-tures a 3.5L V6 engine with 6-speed automatic transmis-sion.

The only two-time winner in the history of the event was Kelley Law of Vancou-ver, the B.C. runner-up this year and 2002 Canadian Olympic skip.

Other previous winners: Kelli Turpin, formerly of In-uvik N.W.T., Sherry Fraser and Kristy Lewis of Rich-mond, B.C., Marcy Balder-ston of Grande Prairie, Kay Montgomery, playing out of Prince Albert, Gerri Cooke of Minnedosa, Man., An-drea Lawes of Toronto, Jenn Hanna of Ottawa, Allison (Franey) Farrell of Saint John, Suzanne (Gaudet) Birt of Charlottetown, Colleen Jones of Halifax and last year’s winner and current Olympic skip Cheryl Ber-nard of Calgary.

For the second consecu-tive year, Ford and the Ca-nadian Curling Association are promoting an interactive on-line version of the Hot Shots skills competition.

All information, includ-ing rules, regulations, player registration and game instructions are available at FordHotShots.curling.ca.

Holland hops into driver’s seat

Saskatchewan skip Amber Holland is presented Saturday afternoon witha two-year lease on a 2010 Taurus by Ford of Canada director of marketing Jim Hartford after winning the Hot Shots event.

your guide to what’s goin’ on

Page 8 The Party Line • Your guide to what’s goin’ on

Catch the Last Lap for The Chevelles!The final performance of a vibrant three-night stand for the Chevelles gets on track tonight at 10:30 pm in the HeartStop Lounge!

The Chevelles have become a fan favourite on the Season of Champions circuit – playing for enthusiastic crowds at last year’s Scotties, Tim Hortons Brier and Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings.

Anyone who has been part of the crowd for the previous shows will confirm you missed out on an electrifying experience, driven by a powerful band. They’ll be shifting in to high gear one more time, so make sure you’re along for the ride!

on stageMonday, February 1 – DJ Night • 10:30 pm

Tuesday, February 2 – Bone Yard • 10:30 pm

Wednesday, February 3 – College Battle of the Bands • 10:00 pm

Thursday, February 4 – Dirty Little Swing Thing • 10:30 pm

Friday, February 5 – Superfreak Disco Band • 10:30 pm

Saturday, February 6 – Rockstar Live • 10:00 pm

It’s So Cool Curling in the HeartStop LoungeThe competition on the ice at the Essar Centre is a sure bet to be sizzling all week… in the HeartStop Lounge, it will be extremely cool! That’s the setting for the 2010 Scotties Cool Curling competition. Cool Curling - the tabletop version of the roaring game – has become a feature attraction at Season of Champions events. If you think you have what it takes, sign up now and don’t miss out on the action!

It’s first come, first served.

The draw is posted now in the HeartStop Lounge for the round robin, running Monday to Thursday. Four qualifiers will be selected each day to advance to the playoffs on Saturday, February 6. The semi-finals and championship final take place Sunday. And the winners take home some cool cash - $600 for the champs, $300 for second and $150 for third.

Shuttle service is available daily between the Essar Centre and HeartStop Lounge at the Soo Curlers Association. The service is provided by Tim Hortons and the City of Sault Ste. Marie. Shuttles will depart every half hour to both venues. Departure points are the main parking lot near the front entrance of the Essar Centre and front door of the Soo Curlers Association.

Full schedules are posted at both departure points and online at seasonofchampions.ca

Take a Free Ride

Page 9Sunday, January 31, 2010

Golden Memories!Today – 2:00 pmIt’s not every day you have the opportunity to meet with an Olympic gold medalist. Well, drop into the HeartStop Lounge this afternoon and you’ll have the chance to meet two!

In 1998, Sandra Schmirler led her Saskatchewan team to a gold medal for Canada in Nagano, Japan. Today, third Jan Betker and lead Marcia Gudereit will be sitting down in the HeartStop Lounge to share their feelings on an Olympic experience that will live on forever in the memories of curling fans from Canada and around the world.

Two of the Best from the West!Today – 6:30 pmThe Alberta Scotties knocked the socks off everyone – including the victorious Valerie Sweeting team from Edmonton’s Saville Centre.

“We’re shocked to be honest,” said Sweeting, after taking down perennial favourite Shannon Kleibrink with a runback takeout in an extra-end final. The team truly represents the “very young at Hearts” - at an average age of just under 22 years, they hit the national stage after their first shot at the Alberta Scotties.

Meanwhile, in Manitoba the Jill Thurston foursome also went to an extra-end before earning the right to represent the province at the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

While this marks the third trip to the Scotties for Thurston, it’s her first as a skip – a role she hasn’t played since 1996.

Today 2:00 pm PEI – Kathy O’Rourke 6:30 pm Canada – Jennifer Jones

Monday 2:00 pm SK – Amber Holland 6:30 pm NS – Nancy McConnery

Tuesday 2:00 pm NB – Andrea Kelly 6:30 pm BC – Kelly Scott AB – Valerie Sweeting

Wednesday 1:00 pm MB – Jill Thurston 5:30 pm ONT – Krista McCarville

Thursday 2:00 pm QB – Eve Belisle NL – Shelley Nichols 6:30 pm NWT/Y – Sharon Cormier

Friday 6:30 pm Olympic Team – Cheryl Bernard

Come and meet your favourite curlers! From today until Friday teams will be featured in the HeartStop Lounge.

up closepersonal&

up closeandpersonal

It’s Simply

Twenty-four young curlers - representing clubs in Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding communities - were selected as Junior Stars through a random draw of applicants. The lucky Stars receive: a hat, event pin, jacket, photo with their assigned team, a tour of the TSN mobile and event tickets to their team’s draw for themselves and two chaperones.

Sunday 7:30 pm feature Stars:

Team Nova Scotia Malisha Alloway Austin Adams

Team Ontario Makaila Alloway Cody Tetreault

HeartStop Lounge Menu Homestyle Cooking

Available Daily 11 am – 8 pmProvided by Rico’s Catering

Daily MenuPasta and Meatballs $6.00 • Soup and Sandwich $6.00

Salads (Garden, Caesar or Greek) $4.00

Today’s SpecialsServed 6 pm - 8 pm

Dinner Feature Cabbage Roll Dinner with Garden Salad $10.00

Vegetarian OptionVegetable Stir-Fry with Noodles $8.00

A tasty array of food options are available nightly from 8pm to 1amProvided by Soo Curlers Restaurant

Page 10 HeartChart

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For Tom, his wife Mary, and other members of the Coulterman clan, having the 2010 Scotties in Sault Ste. Marie is a dream come true.

“We are a little nervous but really excited for her,” he says. “It’s a great op-portunity. She’s coming back to her hometown and I think it’s great.”

Coming to the Sault was also a special treat for Tara’s children, who will be in the stands watching their mother play in the national champi-onship for the fi rst time.

“The kids are really begin-ning to understand,” she

says. “They see mommy on TV and really get into it.”

But Tara said her children still have some innocence when it comes to the competitive nature of the game. Her daughter asked, “Mommy, it’s OK if you don’t win every game, right? It’s about having fun, right?”

Tara says it was a little tricky working around that question.

Unfortunately, the Coul-

termans aren’t going to be able to spend a whole lot of time with their daughter, son-in-law and grandchil-dren after the Scotties ends on Feb. 7. Both Tara and husband have to be back at their jobs in Thunder Bay early in the week following the conclusion of the 2010 Scotties.

The fervent wish of all Sault Ste. Marie curl-ing fans, including Tom and Mary Coulterman, is that Tara will leave her hometown for the trip back to Thunder Bay as a Scot-ties Tournament of Hearts champion.

From Page 4

CRONIN

Belisle rebounds from P.G. faux pas ROAD TO THE SCOTTIES

Larry WoodHeartChart Editor

Two teams that had focused their recent seasons upon qualify-

ing for the Canadian Olym-pic Trials met in the Quebec provincial fi nal in January for the third straight year.

But the 7-5 win at the Montreal West Curling Club was the fi rst in three tries for Eve Belisle of Mon-treal over Marie-France Larouche of St-Romuald. It also was Belisle’s fi rst provincial Scotties success since her fi rst Quebec win in 2006.

Belisle, supported by Brenda Nicholls, Martine

Comeau and Julie Rainville, lost three straight at the Prince George pre-Trials in November but succeeded in erasing that disappointing memory with a 9-3 record in the 10-team Quebec shootout.

The advantage changed hands three times in the thrilling fi nal that culminat-ed in a 10th-end three-ender for Belisle.

Larouche, who’d domi-nated the round robin with an 8-1 record, blanked the fi rst end but Belisle stole a single in the second which Larouche matched in the third. Belisle blanked the fourth end, took two to lead 3-1 at the half and continued to control proceedings with

a pair of double takeouts in the sixth to force Larouche to take a single.

Larouche then stole the tying point in the seventh when Belisle opted to con-cede rather than attempt a dicey raise-double to score three.

In the eighth end, La-rouche forced Belisle to one point with a double take-

out, then assumed control in the ninth with an open draw after Belisle’s last rock wrecked on a guard.

The fi nal end boiled down to the last shot. Larouche attempted to promote a rock from the eight-foot to the four-foot with her last but failed to raise it far enough. That left Belisle with a certain tying point and, for the win, a double takeout attempt while avoiding a jam back on Larouche stones. Belisle executed the twin-kill perfectly with only seconds remaining on the time clock.

Following the round robin, Larouche (8-1) and Allison Ross (7-2) of Orm-stown clashed in the Page

One-Two playoff while Belisle and Saskia Hollands of Lacolle, both 6-3, faced off in the Page Three-Four

tilt. Larouche advanced to the fi nal with an 8-3 verdict, Belisle drummed out Hol-lands 11-5, then doubled up on Ross 8-4 in the semi-fi nal.

Larouche fi nished 9-2, having lost only to veteran Chantal Osborne of Thurso (11-9 in Round Four) prior to the fi nal. Ross was 7-4, Hollands 6-4 and Osborne 5-4.

Up the track, Andree Dufresne of St-Romuald and Helene Pelchat of Val-leyview were 4-5, Annie Cadorette of Trois-Rivieres was 3-6, Debbie Waller of Ormstown was 2-7 and Karla Ekdom-Delorme of Baie d’Urfe was winless in nine matches.

QUEBEC

Eve Belisle made a quick pre-Trials exit, buthas rebounded with a Quebec provincial title.

“It’s nice, too, because she (Kelly) beat us last year. So we got a little revenge there.”

The game’s turning point was the sixth end when Kelly, trailing 4-1, needed to avoid a guard and erase McCarville’s lone rock in the rings for a tying three-count.

McCarville had partially buried her last stone, then watched Kelly’s last wreck on the front stone.

Elsewhere on the tour-nament’s opening draw, Newfoundland/Labrador clobbered the Territories 12-2 and Quebec stole two in an extra end to polish off

Nova Scotia 8-6. The squad from The Rock

had an easy time of it with an ice cold group of Polars skipped by Sharon Cormier of Yellowknife.

“My girls played so well today and it made my job so easy,” said St. John’s skip Shelley Nichols. “Tell you what. This means we won’t be going 0-and-11 and I’m excited about that.”

Cormier rebounded in the evening to throttle Nancy Mc-

Connery’s Bluenosers 8-2.“This afternoon we didn’t

have draw weight,” said Cormier. “Tonight, we had it. That was the difference.”

Quebec trailed the Nova Scotians all the way until two precise shots from skip Eve Belisle squared the account in the 10th end of their afternoon fracas.

The jig was up when McConnery missed her last shot of the 11th end.

“They were above us all game so we were lucky,” said a relieved Belisle. “But she had a tough shot in the extra end and I think we played well there.”

From Page 2

CHANGES

Page 11Sunday, January 31, 2010

Territories: Red wine, cinnamon buns, 007 dreams, Subway cravings and Leno loathing

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Skip: SharonCormier

Home: YellowknifeBegan curling at age: 12Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Finance officerEmployer: Government of the NWT, public works and servicesDate of birth: July 8, 1964Place of birth: ReginaMarital status: MarriedSpouse/partner: Maurice (Tex) CormierChildren: Joshua (22), Megan (20)First vehicle: Chevrolet ChevetteCurrent vehicle: Ford F-150 SupercrewFavourite food: Cinna-mon bunsFavourite drink: Labatt LiteCelebrity dream man: Her husband says she has to say himMost annoying celebrity: Jay LenoAll-time favourite movie: Pretty WomanLast movie she loved: The HangoverLast movie she hated: NoneTattooed? NoNever leaves home with-out: Credit cardCompeted in: 80, 81 national juniors, 86 mixed, 93, 97, 98, 02, 03, 09 Scotties

Third: TaraNaugler

Home: YellowknifeBegan curling at age: 11Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Assis-tant negotiatorEmployer: Government of the NWTDate of birth: March 14, 1977Place of birth: Yellow-knifeMarital status: Married

Spouse/partner: Thomas NauglerChildren: Adam (6), Ben (4)First vehicle: Datsun 280 ZXCurrent vehicle: Grand CaravanFavourite food: Grilled veggie sandwichFavourite drink: Dark rum and cokeCelebrity dream man: Daniel CraigMost annoying celebrity: NoneAll-time favourite movie: Circle Of FriendsLast movie she loved: Casino RoyaleLast movie she hated: None.Tattooed? NopeNever leaves home with-out: Her kidsCompeted in: 92, 93, 94, 95, 97 Junior Nation-als, 97 World Juniors, 03 Scotties.

Second: MeganCormier

Home: YellowknifeBegan curling at age: SixDelivery: RightOccupation/title: Stay-at-home-momEmployer: Cormier familyDate of birth: July 18, 1989Place of birth: YellowknifeMarital status: Relation-shipSpouse/partner: Romaine EllisChildren: Kobe Ellis (1)First vehicle: Dodge NeonCurrent vehicle: Chevy CavalierFavourite food: SubwayFavourite drink: Spicy Caesar

Celebrity dream man: Taye

DiggsMost

annoy-ing celeb-rity: Conan O’Brien

All-time favourite movie: In her ShoesLast movie she loved: The Blind SideLast movie she hated: Adventure LandTattooed? Yes, oneNever leaves home with-out: iPhoneCompeted in: 07 Canada Games, 07 National Juniors, 06 Arctic Winter Games

Lead: DanielleEllis

Home: YellowknifeBegan curling at age: 8Delivery: Right

Occupation/title: Hairstyl-istEmployer: Vixen Hair DenDate of birth: Aug. 10, 1984Place of birth: Winnipeg Marital status: Relation-shipSpouse/partner: Brad TalbotChildren: Dog, Brooklyn, cat, JerryFirst vehicle: ‘99 Saturn SC2Current vehicle: ‘99 Jeep Grand CherokeeFavourite food: SubwayFavourite drink: Bud-weiserCelebrity dream man: BatmanMost annoying celebrity: NoneAll-time favourite movie:

The Dark KnightLast movie she loved: The Dark KnightLast movie she hated: NoneTattooed? Yes, twoNever leaves home without: HmmmmCompeted in: 00,

01, 02 Junior Nationals,

02 Arctic Winter

Games

Fifth: DawnMoses

Home: YellowknifeBegan curling at age: 10Delivery: RightOccupation/title: Youth and volunteer program officerEmployer: Government of the NWTDate of birth: Nov 10, 1969Place of birth: Mayo, YukonMarital status: NoneSpouse/partner: NoneChildren: NoneFirst vehicle: 1990 Ford TempoCurrent vehicle: 2009 Ford EscapeFavourite food: CheeseFavourite drink: Red wineCelebrity dream man: Johnny DeppMost annoying celebrity: Paris HiltonAll-time favourite movie: BraveheartLast movie she loved: AvatarLast movie she hated: NoneTattooed? Yes, oneNever leaves home with-out: Hairspray, cellphoneCompeted in: 87, 88, 89 Junior Nationals, 90, 92, 95, 98, 00, 01, 03, 07, 08, 09 Scotties, 02 Mixed Nationals

Coach: Brian Kelln

Home: YellowknifeOccupation/title: Program managerEmployer: City of Yellow-knifeDate of birth: April 5, 1957Place of birth: ReginaCoached/played: Coached NWT, 2000, 01, 02, 04, 05, 06 Junior Nationals, NWT/Yukon, 2003 Scotties. Played NWT/Yukon, 09 Senior Nationals.

MeganCormier, left,

and SharonCormier

Page 12 HeartChart

Get swept up in allwe can do for you!

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MANFRED J. FISCHER DAVE LILLIERON SONKE 680 Albert Street E. (705) 942-1949

Turned out, in fact, it was the result of a young worker attempting to thaw frozen pipes with a blow-torch.

Nevertheless, a state of emergency was declared in Kindersley. Offi cials im-mediately began evacuating local residents one block in all directions from the arena complex. The local ambulance service pro-vided shelter and medical aid due to the extreme cold temperatures. Two adjacent schools were evacuated. Several vehicles and homes were damaged from broken glass and paint damage.

The original arena, built in 1955 as the home base for the Kindersley Klippers hockey team’s fi tness/train-ing area, storage areas plus a local fi gure skating club and the town’s minor sports offi ces was levelled in 40 minutes.

“The curling and new hockey rink were OK,” says Larry McGrath, the man bearing Kindersley’s most famous curling name.

“The old building was all wood. A lot of memorabilia, and an old kitchen and seat-ing area were lost. But there was a huge fi rewall between the buildings that saved the ice plant, the new hockey rink and curling club. There

was some smoke damage which will keep the facili-ties closed until next fall.”

You may recall McGrath, who resides in nearby Dod-sland and skipped Saskatch-ewan’s champ in the 1974 Brier and three teams in the national mixed, winning twice. He was a driver dur-ing the championship that was moved 50 kilometres south to the Eston Curling Club.

“It was costly for the community in terms of ice usage, hotels, restaurants,” says McGrath. “They had to kill the big Oilmen’s bon-spiel in late January. That brought a lot of money into the district.”

Within three hours, even-tual champion Amber Hol-land of Regina, who also is the executive director of the Saskatchewan Curling As-sociation, was embroiled in an emergency meeting with a SCA executive, the as-sociation’s head coach, and members of the organizing committee.

“It was amazing how the host committee from Kindersley just walked into the Eston Curling Club and did the best they could . . . . and it was a great job,” recalls Holland.

“I’m sure the community

in Eston had more pies and soup made on that Friday to be ready for us on Saturday. You walked into the rink and everybody was bending over backwards to make it happen. It was amazing.”

Players whose equip-ment remained at the smoke-damaged Kindersley club retained every glove, broom, shoe and jacket.

Some teams chose to stay in Eston and volunteer driv-ers from Kindersley contin-ued despite the 40-minute drive.

Ice technicians worked on the ice all day Friday and were able to give the curlers conditions very similar to those in Kindersley with the emphasis on curl. And the championship concluded a mere two hours later than originally scheduled.

“The ice was a little keener in Kindersley,” recalls Holland. “Probably six-to-eight feet heavier but good curl, good rocks, no problem.

“Hey, we may be losing a few clubs and members but the communities we have in Saskatchewan are strong.”

In this case, everybody for miles around pulled to-gether. Just another example of good old Prairie pride holding forth.

From Page 5

WOOD:‘Amazing’ response savesSaskatchewan’s Scotties

Page 13Sunday, January 31, 2010

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French Cross is the #1 Selling Brand in Ontario** Source ACD, 12 months ending October 11, 2009

QofD: 2002, record 3-and-8.2. Kimberly Kelly3. 14 Scotties, two skips.4. Colleen Jones 13 times, Mary-Anne Arsenault once.5. New Brunswick6. Skip in 1993, third in 1995.7. Tara George.8. She skipped the first Northern Ontario entry in

the Canadian Juniors in 1991.9. Nancy McConnery, Kelly Scott, Krista McCarville.10. McConnery defeated Colleen Jones in 2003, Scott defeated Jennifer Jones in 2005, McCarville defeated Scott in 2006.11. King beat Connie Lal-iberte, MacPhee beat San-dra Schmirler, Strong beat Colleen Jones (twice).

12. Agnes Charette, Col-leen Jones13. Charette from Bucking-ham, Quebec; Jones from Halifax; each have beaten four champs.14. Charette — Penny LaRocque, Connie Lal-iberte, Heather Houston, Sandra Schmirler; Jones — Marj Mitchell, Connie Laliberte, Heather Hous-ton, Kelley Law.

Larry WoodHeartChart Editor

QUESTION OF THE DAY:Kathy O’Rourke last skipped the P.E.I., champ at the Scotties in which year? And what was her won-lost record that year?

2. Name the curler who, in non-skipping roles, has appeared in the most Canadian women’s cham-pionships.3. In how many Scotties has she played and how many skips has she played for?4. Name them and the number of appear-ances with each..

5. Current Nova Scotia skip Nancy McConnery is representing Nova Scotia for the third time at the Scotties. She also played for which province in two other Scotties.6. In which years and in which roles?7. Name the only curler competing in the 2010 Scotties who was born in Sault Ste. Marie.8. She holds a particular distinction as a junior com-petitor. What is it?9. You know that two for-mer Scotties champions

adorn the field this week. But name three skips who actu-ally have beaten the

champs the year they

won in Scotties competi-tion.

10. Who were the champs they defeated and in what years?11. Who were those cham-pions?12. Name the Scott Tour-nament of Hearts skips who have defeated the eventual champion more times than any other.13. They’re from where, and how many champs have they beaten?14. Can you name the champs they have beaten?

Time out for trivia

Answers

Page 14 HeartChart

www.neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca

COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP

Photography:AndrewKlaver

AssociateEditor:

Todd Kimberley

Editor:LarryWood

SCOTTIES CUMULATIVE STATSSkips

Name % ageValerie Sweeting (Alta.) 95Krista McCarville (Ont.) 80Kelly Scott (B.C.) 76Erin Carmody (P.E.I.) 75Jennifer Jones (Canada) 75Shelley Nicholls (N.L.) 75Eve Belisle (Que.) 69Nancy McConnery (N.S.) 65Sharon Cormier (NWT/YT) 65Jill Thurston (Man.) 63Andrea Kelly (N.B.) 59Amber Holland (Sask.) 46

ThirdsName % ageJeanna Schraeder (B.C.) 91Kristen Phillips (Man.) 85Megan Einarson (Alta.) 84Cathy Overton-Clapham (Canada) 81Tara George (Ont.) 81Brenda Nicholls (Que.) 75Denise Nowlan (N.B.) 74Jennifer Crouse (N.S.) 71Stephanie LeDrew (N.L.) 68Geri-Lynn Ramsay (P.E.I.) 64Tara Naugler (NWT/YT) 59Kim Schneider (Sask.) 56

SecondsName % ageSasha Carter (B.C.) 89Ashley Miharija (Ont.) 88Whitney More (Alta.) 86Jill Offi cer (Canada) 86Rhonda Rogers (N.L.) 86Jillian Babin (N.B.) 82Leslie Wilson (Man.) 75Martine Comeau (Que.) 73Megan Cormier (NWT/YT) 70Kathy O’Rourke (P.E.I.) 68Tammy Schneider (Sask.) 65Sheena Gilman (N.S.) 64

LeadsName % ageJacquie Armstrong (B.C.) 89Lindsay Makichuk (Alta.) 89Heather Kalenchuk (Sask.) 89Dawn Askin (Canada) 85Tricia Affl eck (P.E.I.) 84Julie Rainville (Que.) 81Lianne Sobey (N.B.) 78Jill Thomas (N.S.) 76Raunora Westcott (Man.) 76Danielle Ellis (NWT/YT) 75Kari MacLean (Ont.) 61Colette Lemon (N.L.) 56

Teams % ageAlberta (Sweeting) 88British Columbia (Scott) 86Canada (Jones) 82Ontario (McCarville) 77Manitoba (Thurston) 75Quebec (Belisle) 74

% ageP.E.I. (O’Rourke) 73New Brunswick (Kelly) 73Newfoundland/Labrador (Nicholls) 72Nova Scotia (McConnery) 69Territories (Cormier) 67Saskatchewan (Holland) 64

Page 15Sunday, January 31, 2010

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SCOTTIES SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

Today

Draw 3 (10:30 a.m.)Team Canada vs. New BrunswickP.E.I. vs. AlbertaN.S. vs. ManitobaTerritories vs. B.C.

Draw 4 (3 p.m.)Manitoba vs. Nfl d/LabradorQuebec vs. B.C.Canada vs. Saskatch-ewanOntario vs. Alberta

Draw 5 (7:30 p.m.)Ontario vs. QuebecNew Brunswick vs. Nova ScotiaP.E.I. vs. TerritoriesNewfoundland/Labrador vs. Saskatchewan

Monday

Draw 6 (10:30 a.m.)Saskatchewan vs. OntarioQuebec vs. Nfl d/Labrador

Draw 7 (3 p.m.)British Columbia vs. New BrunswickCanada vs. TerritoriesAlberta vs. Nova ScotiaManitoba vs. P.E.I.

Draw 8 (7:30 p.m.)Nfl d/Labrador vs. Canada

Alberta vs. QuebecSaskatchewan vs. ManitobaB.C. vs. Ontario

Tuesday

Draw 9 (10:30 a.m.)P.E.I. vs. Nova ScotiaB.C. vs. ManitobaTerritories vs. New BrunswickAlberta vs. Team Canada

Draw 10 (3 p.m.)Alberta vs. ManitobaOntario vs. Newfound-land/LabradorBritish Columbia vs. Team CanadaQuebec vs. Saskatch-ewan

Draw 11 (7:30 p.m.)Quebec vs. TerritoriesNew Brunswick vs. Sas-katchewanOntario vs. P.E.I.N.S. vs. Nfl d/Labrador

Wednesday

Draw 12 (10:30 a.m.)Saskatchewan vs. B.C.Quebec vs. CanadaNewfoundland/Labrador vs. AlbertaOntario vs. Manitoba

Draw 13 (2 p.m.)New Brunswick vs. New-foundland/LabradorTerritories vs. OntarioNova Scotia vs. Sas-katchewanP.E.I. vs. Quebec

Draw 14 (6:30 p.m.)Team Canada vs. P.E.I.Nova Scotia vs. B.C.Manitoba vs. TerritoriesAlberta vs. New Bruns-wick

Thursday

Draw 15 (10:30 a.m.)Nova Scotia vs. OntarioNfl d/Labrador vs. P.E.I.New Brunswick vs. QuebecSaskatchewan vs. Ter-ritories

Draw 16 (3 p.m.)Territories vs. AlbertaManitoba vs. New BrunswickP.E.I. vs. B.C.Canada vs. Nova Scotia

Draw 17 (7:30 p.m.)Manitoba vs. QuebecSaskatchewan vs. AlbertaCanada vs. OntarioNewfoundland/Labrador vs. B.C.

StandingsTeam W LP.E.I. 2 0Canada 1 0Ontario 1 0Quebec 1 0Alberta 1 0Nfl d/Labrador 1 0Territories 1 1Saskatchewan 0 1B.C. 0 1Manitoba 0 1New Brunswick 0 2Nova Scotia 0 2

Draw 1 Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TP.E.I. 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 1 3 x 10Saskatchewan* 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 x 3%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamP.E.I. 79 78 65 75 74Saskatchewan 89 65 56 46 64

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TTerritories 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 x x 2Nfl d/Labrador* 2 0 4 0 1 4 1 0 x x 12%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamTerritories 66 59 57 57 60Nfl d/Labrador 56 86 68 75 72

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TNew Brunswick 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 x 2Ontario* 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 4 0 x 9%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamNew Brunswick 86 77 77 70 77Ontario 61 88 81 80 77

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 TQuebec 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 2 8Nova Scotia* 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 6%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamQuebec 81 73 75 69 74Nova Scotia 76 66 68 75 71

Draw 2 Results 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TNova Scotia* 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 x x x 2Territories 1 1 1 3 1 0 1 x x x 8%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamNova Scotia 75 61 75 50 65Territories 84 80 61 73 75

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TManitoba* 0 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 x 5Canada 0 0 1 3 0 2 0 1 3 x 10%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamManitoba 76 75 85 63 75Canada 85 86 81 75 82

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TB.C.* 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 5Alberta 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 6%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamB.C. 89 89 91 76 86Alberta 89 86 84 95 88

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TNew Brunswick* 0 3 1 0 3 0 1 0 0 x 8P.E.I. 3 0 0 2 0 3 0 1 2 x 11%age Lead Second Third Skip TeamNew Brunswick 71 86 71 49 70P.E.I. 88 59 64 75 71

* —started game with the hammer

Draw Schedule

Page 16 HeartChart

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Larry WoodHeartChart Editor

The old adage to try, try, try again rings true for Jill Thur-

ston’s Manitoba champions from Winnipeg’s Deer Lodge Curling Club.

Thurston along with third Kristen Phillips, second Leslie Wilson and lead Raunora Westcott defeated former Manitoba champion Janet Harvey of Winnipeg Assiniboine Memorial 7-6 in an extra-end provincial fi nal at Killarney to help erase some of the past dis-appointments.

Thurston’s new team-mates have lost more than their fair share of provincial fi nals. Phillips lost the fi nal in 2008. Wilson lost two fi nals with Kristy Jenion.

And Westcott has lost four different provincials in her curling career.

Third player with Harvey at the 2006 Scotties, Thur-ston also qualifi ed as vice-skip for the 2000 Scotties with Connie Laliberte, but decided to step back to the teehead this time around.

The last time a new team won the Manitoba title, it went on to win the Canadian crown. But, in 2005, when she won with a new crew, Jennifer Jones hadn’t just returned from a two-year sabbatical like Thurston did this month.

“It feels amazing,” said an emotional Thurston as she fought back tears.

“And it feels even more amazing to win with these three guys. They’ve lost the fi nals a whole bunch of times and it’s so gratifying

to win with them.”It’s unusual for a new

team to win a championship in its fi rst year together with a skip who hasn’t played for two years or skipped her own squad since 1996.

“It’s not supposed to hap-pen but I think (the time off) probably made me a better curler,” said the 38-year-old Thurston. “I got to watch a lot of curling and learned a lot. I got to relax and take a vacation and I think it really did me a lot of good. I got

my passion for the game back.”

Thurston scored the win-ning point in the fi nal when Harvey’s attempted draw to the button in the extra end was two inches heavy.

The champs trailed 4-1 after four ends butt stole two in the sixth to tie the game 4-4, then stole singles in the seventh and ninth ends for a 6-4 lead. Harvey cracked a deuce in the 10th to force the extra end where Thurston didn’t required the hammer.

“We dig deep; we battle back and we have a ton of confi dence and belief in each other,” said Thurston, who stole the winning point in an extra end to eliminate East St. Paul’s Kim Link 10-9 in the semi-fi nal.

Link and Joelle Brown of Winnipeg topped one

pool in the 16-team spit round-robin championship while Harvey and Thurston tied for the other lead. All recorded 6-1 records.

In the Page One-One play-

off, Harvey dumped Link 9-5 to advance to the fi nal while Thurston was dealing out Brown 11-5 in the Page Two-Two. Thurston then erased Link in the semi.

Thurston fi nished with a 9-1 record while Harvey was 7-2, Link was 6-3 and Brown 6-2.

At 5-2 were defending champion Barb Spencer of Winnipeg along with Chel-sea Carey of Morden and Lisa Blixhavn of Brandon. Kaleigh Strath of Winkler and Karen Fallis of Winni-peg checked in a 4-3.

Grouped at 2-5 were Shauna Streich of Winnipeg and Kari Goethe of Swan River. At 1-6 were Tanis Fortin of The Pas, Liza Park of Brandon, Terry Ursel of Plumas, Karen Rosser of Springfi eld and Linda Stew-art of Winnipeg.

MANITOBA

Thurston’s ’Tobans finally taste victoryROAD TO THE SCOTTIES

Jill Thurston: Skipping for first time since 1996.