Scotties win extra emotional for Team Ontario’s Courtney
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — It’s emotional moments like these why Joanne Courtney made the decision to join Team Homan three years ago.
Courtney earned her first career Canadian women’s curling championship Sunday following Ontario’s thrilling 8-6 extra-end victory over Manitoba in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts final at the Meridian Centre.
Her Ottawa-based teammates — skip Rachel Homan, third Emma Miskew and lead Lisa Weagle — had been here before capturing back-to-back Scotties titles in 2013 and 2014 with second Alison Kreviazuk. When Kreviazuk moved to Sweden following the end of that Olympic cycle, it opened the door for the Edmonton native Courtney to take over at second.
Courtney, a registered nurse with Alberta Health Services, was willing to make all of the sacrifices and put in the necessary time and effort — from non-stop travelling for tournaments around the globe and a rigorous workout schedule while still maintaining a normal life back home — in order to help Team Homan return to the top of the Scotties podium.
“Just the amount of work we’ve put in, especially in the last couple years as a team and individually and all the sacrifices that have been made, it feels so good to have it all accumulate in a win like this,” Courtney said as her voice trembled while fighting back tears of joy. “It’s great.”
Homan needed to make clutch shot after shot throughout the final against Michelle Englot including a late rally in eight to pull back into the lead, a game-saving double in the 10th to avoid a heartbreaking defeat and the winning runback in the extra end to finally clip Manitoba.
“I’m so proud of the team for sticking together through that game,” said Courtney, who shot a team-high 92 percent in the final. “It was a hard-fought battle. Rachel played amazing. That double in 10 saved us and the shot to win she threw it great. [It’s] just an unbelievable feeling right now.”
Courtney reflected on how fortunate she was able to accomplish her goal of claiming the Canadian title.
“A lot of great curlers have never won a Scotties so I’m so grateful for everything and the experience and the fans and the event,” she said. “It’s been amazing.”
The 27-year-old Courtney couldn’t recall another game she’s played in that was so intense, never mind everything else that was on the line.
“Englot and their team played great. They’re a fantastic team,” she said. “We tried our best to stay with the process and stay in the moment and it end up working out in the end.”
Courtney was so caught up in the moment of winning the Scotties Tournament of Hearts that it hadn’t really sunk in she will now get the opportunity to wear the red and white for Canada next month at the world championship in Beijing, China.
“I’m just trying to keep it together here,” Courtney said with a nervous laugh. “I’m unbelievably excited for this and can’t wait to represent Canada and wear the Maple Leaf on my back. This is a dream come true. I don’t even know what to say. I’m speechless.”