A victory in the 2012 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian women’s curling championship, did two things for Heather Nedohin’s rink.
First, it earned the team the right to compete at this year’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Kingston, Ont., as Team Canada. Second, it punched their ticket to the World Financial Group Continental Cup of Curling, Jan. 10 to 13 in the South Okanagan Events Centre. Nedohin’s rink will be part of Team North America aiming to retake the lead against Team World.
With the event nearing, Nedohin said her rink with Beth Iskiw, Jessica Mair and Laine Peters have been working at all aspects of their game and are very pleased at where they are positioned.
“Our last event was in an arena and all our remaining events are, so it is really nice to get prepared for that and know how to adjust to the crowds, ice and rock conditions going forward,” said Nedohin in an email.
Nedohin said there is always pressure when competing at this elite level but they are continuously working at staying strong on and off the ice. Refering to themselves as the rookies of the field, they are looking forward to performing their best and taking in all the exciting play that the unique event brings.
“This is a thrill to be members of Team North America and we look forward to the big games,” said Nedohin. “As more commercials are shown on TV to promote the event, we can feel the excitement building. This will be a wonderful event to kick off the new year.”
After taking the national title, the Nedohin team represented Canada at the 2012 Ford World Women’s Curling Championship in Lethbridge where they won the bronze medal.
Nedohin emerged on the competitive curling scene in 1996 when she led her young Alberta team to the top of the podium at both the Canadian and World junior curling championships. In 1998, playing third for Alberta’s Cathy King, she won her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts crown and a bronze medal at the Ford World Women’s Curling Championship.
Nedohin has appeared at the Scotties five times, skipping the Alberta representatives in 2000 and 2012. Currently, Nedhohin’s rink is seventh in the Canadian Team Ranking System.
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