CLEAN SWEEP

Local curlers claim world championships

Don Fennellsports reporter

It was only the second time Canadian rinks from the same province have turned the trick. In 1980 Rick Folk of Saskatoon and Marj Mitchell of Regina grabbed the men's and women's titles, but including the win by Vernon's Brad Kuhn at the world junior men's finals last month in Geising, Germany, this is the first time one province has claimed three world championships.

"The Canadian fans (estimated to be close to 2,000) had a really big impact," insisted Julie Skinner, who during the season regularly commuted from Victoria to play third on the Kelley Law women's championship team. "Having seen what we did with the crowd (at the national Scott Tournament of Hearts) in Prince George, where they were really our lifeline helping us through a lot of games and (ultimately) on to win it (we knew the impact the crowd could have). It was just a continuation of that when we got to Scotland. We looked up and saw red and white everywhere and they were screaming for us. It was great."

Added second Georgina Wheatcroft: "We felt like were the favourites there with all the Canadian flags everywhere. It was great to draw off the crowd again."

The enthusiasm was almost as great at Vancouver International Airport Monday evening, when Law's Richmond Winter Club rink and Greg McAulay's Royal City foursome (Skip McAulay is a Richmond resident) were greeted by throngs of fans and media who waited for their arrival which was delayed by an hour or so.

"Things like this really make us realize what we've done," said Law, whose last-rock shot down the centre line in the 10th end Saturday gave Team Canada a 7-6 win over Switzerland in the women's final.

"It was just like a Canadian championship in Scotland really, the fans were awesome."

Winning the world title offered some personal redemption for Skinner (nee Sutton) who lost in the finals as a junior in 1991, while it was the second time Wheatcroft has enjoyed the joy of being a member of the women's world champions.

Wheatcroft said it isn't really possible to compare the Canadian and world championships, explaining that the Canadians are "probably the best curling you see." But she suggested the level of play at the worlds has dramatically improved since her last appearance.

"All the teams we played we had great games against. You just can't count out any of those teams, they're all gunning for you because you're Team Canada."

With Olympic trial berths already secure for next season, both rinks plan to take advantage of invitations to play in Europe. Law said her team plans to play at a bonspiel in Switzerland, but will still follow the same practice schedule as they did this season.

Canada's remarkable success on the world scene this season has stirred a great deal of interest in a sport whose growth has been rather dormant in recent seasons.

"We've had numerous calls from people asking to come out and try curling," said Doug Bradley, manager of the Richmond Winter Club.

"Unfortunately we're at the end of the season. We're trying to get their names and phone numbers and invite them back out to get started next fall."