Team Sask Curling

The narrative of team sports is a showcase of all Canada Games, and Red Deer 2019 is no exception. Curling is a perfect example of the word team. Every athlete on the ice, during every stone thrown, of every draw, is crucial to the success of the team. No athlete on the mens and womens curling teams gets a play off.

Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada. Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.

From the first draw to the gold medal game, the successful rinks will employ a team strategy, which gives a meaningful and highly consequential role to each individual player. Again, what makes this concept special for Team Sask rinks, is the way the players use it as a catalyst rather than a point of contention. Never does it seem that a missed opportunity breeds animosity, rather, it gives birth to an opportunity to lift each other up and grow closer as a team.

Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada. Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.

“It’s a long week. We play 10 times. You’re going to win games, and you’re going to lose games. You have to know how to deal with that.”

— Women’s Coach Patrick Ackerman
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada. Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada. Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.

Both of these teams know how to work through some loses, and not get off track during a run of wins. Athletes have to have short term memories, and both teams have achieved that mindset — in dramatically different ways.

Both the Skylar Ackerman skipped women’s team, and Brecklin Gervais skipped men’s team are similar in their tight-knit bonds — while offering uniquely entertaining ways of achieving said connectivity. The girls channel their intensity with singing, group high fives, and pregame huddles. The guys juxtapose the women’s choreographed celebrations with a relaxed vibe quietly joking and maintaining a calm demeanor before taking to the ice.

Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada. Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.

Achieving a winning mindset seems obvious for Team Sask men’s curling. They are, after all, mentored by one of Canada’s most decorated curlers, coach Marcia Gudereit. A gold medalist at Nagano ’98 Olympics, three time World Champion, and three time Scotties winner. Someone who knows a thing or two about handling ups and downs on her way to the podium.

Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada. Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.
Photos from draw two of Curling at the Pidherney Curling Centre for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, AB Canada.

So, however the Games of Red Deer 2019 play out for both the men and women of Team Sask Curling, players and fans alike can rest assured that they will focus on the positives and take away a lifetime of experience and memories from the 2019 Canada Games in Red Deer.