Team Canada feeling goosebumps ahead of WWCC and return of family into stands

But with a few days to go before the tournament returned to the Northern Capital, Einarson and her team were back at the PGGCC putting in some pre-tournament practice and meeting with local media.

One thing that stood out amongst the team, comprised of Einarson, Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard, Brianne Meilleur, and alternate Krysten Karwacki, is they are eager to have their friends and family back in the stands watching them as they prepare to represent Canada for the first time in front of a crowd since first earning the right to dawn the maple leaf back in 2020.

There were no fans allowed at the World Women’s Curling Championship in 2021 with the bubble established in Calgary, and just about every single competition over the past two years was without a single person spectating.

“We love this game,” said Einarson following Team Canada’s practice session on Thursday. “But without all of that support, it’s very tough to do. We definitely missed that last year. It was very quiet in that building and we’re definitely going to draw off that energy from the crowd.”

The 34-year-old skip will have an entourage of family in the stands of the CN Centre when Canada takes to the ice Saturday for their opening draw match against Italy. One member of her family, in particular, will be her uncle, Greg MacAulay, who skipped for Team BC to a Brier Championship in Saskatoon back in 2000, and went on to win a World Championship that same year. He was a major factor in Einarson getting introduced to the game.

“I’m excited to have my uncle there to watch me. He came to watch in 2016 when I was at my first national,” said Einarson. “To have him here while I’m playing at Worlds is a pretty special moment, and a lot of my other friends and family are coming out so I can’t wait to see their faces in the stands.”

And the rest of the team will be feeling the support as well from friends and family.

“It’s so special. Our parents are our biggest fans. We’re so excited to have them here. It’s so nice to be able to look up and see their faces and hear their cheers,” explained Shannon Birchard.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Val Sweeting on the opportunity to represent Canada at the Worlds. ” We, probably over everyone, won’t take it for granted because we haven’t got this full experience yet.”

Understanding the nerves that may be associated with having family and fans back in the stands, team coach Reid Carruthers admits he hopes the women can fully embrace the opportunity to return to Prince George for the Worlds.

“Getting to play a world championship when you’re Team Canada in Canada is something not many teams get to experience,” stated Reid Carruthers, Team Canada’s coach. “They were robbed of that opportunity a couple of years ago. I know they were disappointed in not getting to play. The fact it’s coming back to Prince George for number two, another opportunity, it just feels like we’re back to normal again and things are starting to look to be in a better direction than where they were a couple of years ago.”

The World Women’s Curling Championships get underway on Saturday with Canada playing in the first draw against Italy at 2:00 p.m. from inside the CN Centre.

Team Canada’s full schedule, along with the rest of the World Women’s Curling Championships draws, can be found here.

by Ethan Ready

Team Canada feeling goosebumps ahead of WWCC and return of family into stands

What's Trending