Trysta Vandale will not have to travel too far when she competes with Team Thompson at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Women’s Curling Championship this week.
The 30-year-old Port Moody resident, who is a member of the Royal City Club, is the only Tri-City curler at the event — her fifth trip to the provincial tournament.
“It’s a great feeling to play in front of a hometown crowd,” she said in an email. “Having some hard cheering fans in the stands is always good.”
In preparing for this week’s tournament, Vandale said the team will stick to its usual training regimen. Because the players reside in different parts of the province — some Team Thompson members live in Kamloops — she added that it is important for the team to get together for regular practice sessions.
“Not a lot changes compared to our normal routine during the competition season,” she said.
Vandale started out in the sport when she was six years old and growing up in Elkford, B.C. Both of her parents played and decided to start bringing her along to the rink to learn the game and watch some of the older players compete.
“It became more cost efficient for them to start bringing me along,” she said. “I guess 24 years later, it all worked out for the best.”
Today, Vandale is hoping to take her first shot at a national title and said she relishes the opportunity to maybe one day represent Canada at an Olympics.
The camaraderie that comes with being a curler is also something she said is an important part of competing in the sport.
“The friendships I have fostered all around the world are priceless,” she said.
SCOTTIES TOURNAMENT
The Scotties B.C. Women’s Championship will take place at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex between Jan. 19 and 24. The semifinals and finals will be televised on Sportsnet. For more information go to bcscotties2016.curlbc.ca or playdowns.com.
