Alberta curlers look to extend early success at Medicine Hat GSOC

Sturmay said the team has focused on adjusting to the ice conditions and staying consistent throughout the event.

“We knew that we got caught on draw speeds a little bit two games ago, so we just wanted to improve on that,” Sturmay said after Thursday’s win.

“And I think we did a really good job on that, so just carrying that motivation forward.”

The team has also found success through its ability to place rocks strategically, something Sturmay believes is especially important in the Grand Slam format.

“I think our biggest strength right now is our drawing ability,” Sturmay said.

“We’re placing some rocks in some really good places, especially in this format where you can’t just bang rocks away in blank ends; I think that’s a huge advantage.”

Sturmay says the team knew it would face a challenging field in Medicine Hat, but has remained focused on its approach rather than looking too far ahead.

Gray-Withers, meanwhile, is making her top-flight Grand Slam debut after competing in four Tier 2 events and winning last season’s junior Grand Slam of Curling under-25 event.

The Edmonton-based rink made an early statement with a 6-5 shootout win over reigning world champion Xenia Schwaller of Switzerland.

However, the team followed that with a 7-4 loss to Switzerland’s Team Paetz and an 8-5 loss to Japan’s Kitazawa, leaving Gray-Withers with a 1-2 record through three games.

Despite the results, Gray-Withers says the team has been creating opportunities and needs to capitalize on them.

“I think we had a lot of opportunities. We’re playing a really great team, so I think any time that we do get a chance, we just need to capitalize on them,” Gray-Withers said.

“And just keep playing how we’re playing.”

Gray-Withers says the opening win over Schwaller provided confidence heading into the rest of the tournament, particularly against an experienced international field.

“We played a tough Team Schwaller, and we just capitalized on every opportunity. We kept it close in the game with them,” she said.

For Gray-Withers, the tournament is also an opportunity to enjoy competing at the highest level and measure her team against some of the best in the sport.

“It’s such an opportunity to play great teams all across the world,” she said.

Both teams return to the ice Friday, with Sturmay scheduled to face Sweden’s Team Hasselborg at 11 a.m., while Gray-Withers takes on Canada’s Team Einarson at 3 p.m.

by Jett Schwaier

Alberta curlers look to extend early success at Medicine Hat GSOC

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