Nedohin skips past U.S.A.

Albertan ekes out a win in heart-pounder at worlds

By: Donna Spencer Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Sunday, Mar. 18, 2012

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. -- Canada's Heather Nedohin overcame the adrenalin of playing in the women's world curling championship for the first time in 14 years, beating the United States 8-7 in her opening match.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/03/2012 (5160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Canada’s Heather Nedohin overcame the adrenalin of playing in the women’s world curling championship for the first time in 14 years, beating the United States 8-7 in her opening match.

A pivotal steal of three in the eighth end propelled Nedohin’s Edmonton team to victory.

“When your heart is pounding from the first end to the 10th end, it feels good to get a ‘W’ at the end,” Nedohin said.

Andrew Vaughan / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Team Canada skip Heather Nedohin directs Jessica Mair (left) and Laine Peters on their way to a tight opening win over the United States at the women's worlds in Lethbridge on Saturday. — Andrew Vaughan / THE CANADIAN PRESS Team Canada skip Heather Nedohin directs Jessica Mair (left) and Laine Peters on their way to a tight opening win over the United States at the women's worlds in Lethbridge on Saturday.

“I’m just overly excited. This has been a dream of our since we were little girls. We’re here at the show right in our own province with all our family and friends. I think that’s why my heart is pounding.”

Nedohin last played in a world championship in 1998 as third for Cathy King. They won a bronze medal in Kamloops, B.C.

Canada has a tough day ahead today with games against former world champion Bingyu Wang and two-time Olympic silver medallist Mirjam Ott of Switzerland.

“What day isn’t a big day here?” Nedohin exclaimed.

The 36-year-old skip is animated and emotional in every game she plays. Nedohin took deep breaths and sips from her water bottle to slow down the pace in her head.

“More communication, more talk, more focus on the ice and utilizing that time in between ends to enjoy the moment, take a look around and everything, but come back,” Nedohin added to her list of calming strategies.

A steal of three in the eighth end for Canada was the turning point. American second Natalie Nicholson threw an attempted tap through two stones, which negated a chance for them to score two.

Skip Allison Pottinger faced a draw against three Canadian stones at the top of the eight-foot rings. She was half a metre heavy to give up the steal of three and an 8-4 lead.

“I just didn’t take a second in the half and just get calm before throwing it,” Pottinger said. “I knew as soon as I let it go ‘that was too much.”‘

Pottinger is skipping the U.S. for the first time at the world championship, although she won a world title as third for Debbie McCormick in 2003.

Pottinger was born in Brampton, Ont., but her family moved to the United States in 1992 when she was 18.

The Enmax Centre roared its approval when Pottinger’s miss gave three to Canada. That’s considered unsportsmanlike in curling, but Nedohin attributed the lack of decorum to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

“I was surprised by our crowd. Usually we wait that one or two seconds,” she said. “I think we had a crowd here that’s had a little green beer and (there are) over-the-top leprechauns in the arena.

“Obviously a three of any matter, whether it’s a steal or a take of three, it was big.”

CP
Germany skip Melanie Robillard, a New Brunswick native, releases a stone against Denmark at the Ford World Women�s Curling Championship in Lethbridge, Alta., on Saturday. Germany won 6-3. — CP Germany skip Melanie Robillard, a New Brunswick native, releases a stone against Denmark at the Ford World Women�s Curling Championship in Lethbridge, Alta., on Saturday. Germany won 6-3.

Canada got a big game out of second Jessica Mair, who curled 96 per cent to Nicholson’s 83. Mair buried a draw behind a guard in the seventh end, which allowed Canada to set up for two points and a 5-4 lead.

The crowd noise and acoustics in the arena caused some communication problems between Nedohin and her sweepers. Lead Laine Peters complained in the first end that she didn’t understand what her skip was saying.

“It’s always adjusting your communication and choosing the right words,” Nedohin said. “I said a word that could be confused with others.”

The Czech Republic’s Linda Klimova was the only team to play twice Saturday and win both games. The Czechs edged Italy’s Diana Gaspari 6-5 after doubling Ji-Sun Kim of South Korea 6-3.

The South Koreans scored three in the 10th end against Sweden’s Margaretha Sigfriddson at night to win 9-8 and put both teams at 1-1.

Switzerland, Germany’s Melanie Robillard and Scotland’s Eve Muirhead were 1-0.

China, the U.S., Denmark’s Lene Nielson and Russia’s Anna Sidorova opened with losses. Italy opened 0-2.

Switzerland’s Ott defeated China 7-5 on Saturday night. Scotland’s Eve Muirhead opened with an 8-7 win over the Russians. Sweden thumped Italy 9-3 in the afternoon draw.

— The Canadian Press