Three-time Canadian women’s curling champ knows what it takes to win Remaining positive key to success, says Kerri Einarson By: Taylor Allen Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Tuesday, Mar. 15, 2022

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As reigning three-time national women’s curling champions, Kerri Einarson’s rink has proven to be the most dominant team in the country.

That doesn’t guarantee the Gimli-based skip anything at the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship (March 19-27) at the CN Centre in Prince George, B.C.

Einarson learned the hard way at last year’s world championships in the Calgary bubble as her group featuring third Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard, and lead Briane Meilleur missed the podium after barely squeaking into the six-team playoff. Team Canada is hoping for a much better showing this time around, starting with the opening draw of the 13-team event on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT against Italy. Einarson also plays Norway at 9 p.m. CT on Saturday.

Einarson beat Northern Ontario’s Krista McCarville in last month’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts final to keep the maple leaf jacket

“We’ve had a lot of great competition in the Scotties. We definitely had to work very hard at winning the Scotties, it’s never easy,” Einarson said in a Zoom call with reporters Tuesday.

“So, going into worlds, there’s a lot of great teams. We’ve played them a lot. We know what it takes to win. We just got to go out there and really enjoy ourselves and embrace the opportunity and have fun. That’s what we did at the Scotties, we went out, had a lot of laughs, and it pays off. That’s what we’re gonna do and not put that added pressure on us.”

With the 2020 tournament, which was scheduled for Prince George, getting axed owing to COVID-19 and 2021 taking place in a bubble, Einarson will finally get the full, or at least, close to it, world championship experience.

“It’s been an absolute emotional rollercoaster, that’s for sure. You’re packing your bags to go to an event and then all of a sudden you’re unpacking them. It’s been extremely challenging, but we have overcome so much adversity,” Einarson said.

“… We just never let things get us down and I think that’s what our key to success was… I know the last few years have been extremely tough, but we’re excited to (be) now somewhat normal, I think. (Starting) today in Manitoba we don’t have to wear masks so that’s pretty exciting.”

Playing in front of a sea of red and white in the stands will certainly ramp up the nerves, but it’s something the Canadian representatives are welcoming with open arms. Einarson’s coach, Reid Carruthers, knows a thing or two about that as he won the men’s world curling title in 2011 in Regina as the second for Jeff Stoughton.

“I talked to the girls a bit about what it was like. They got robbed of their last chance to be Canada in Canada and now we’re getting it with fans,” said Carruthers, who became Einarson’s coach prior to this year’s nationals.

“I think we all can’t be any more excited than what we currently are. We’ll have to channel that energy in a positive way and have it be something that helps us be successful.”

Winnipeg’s Jennifer Jones was the last Canadian side to win on home soil, doing so in 2018 in North Bay, Ont. Jones, who is coming off an appearance at the Beijing Olympics where she fell just short of the medal round, announced Monday that her team will be splitting up at the end of the season. Lead Dawn McEwen announced her retirement on the weekend and second Jocelyn Peterman is moving to Alberta.

“I wasn’t overly surprised. They’ve been at it for a very, very long time and they’re an amazing team,” said Einarson.

“They probably just needed a bit of a shake up. Not sure what’s happening, but it’ll be exciting to hear which directions they’re going.”

They would have rather been playing in it, but Einarson’s foursome kept a close eye on the competition in the Olympics and took note. They also closely watched the Brier, as Einarson’s mixed-doubles partner Brad Gushue somehow found a way to win his fourth career Canadian title despite third Mark Nichols missing the playoffs with COVID. Gushue, Brett Gallant and Geoff Walker became the first three-man team to hoist the Brier trophy by outlasting Alberta’s Kevin Koe 9-8 in the final on Sunday in Lethbridge, Alta.

The world men’s curling championship takes place April 2-10 in Las Vegas.

“It was incredible to see what they’re able to do out there, just how dynamic each of them was. Brett taking on the bulk of the physical role on the team and then Geoff stepping in to call line and do something he hasn’t done, I think he said in 10-plus years. It was incredible to watch,” said Birchard.

“It’s something you see from a lot of players nowadays, especially with mixed doubles being so prevalent, is that ability to kind of do it all out there. They really put on a show and exemplified what it means to be an all-around curler at that event.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: TaylorAllen31