Olympic Moments: Canada’s Georgina Wheatcroft

One of the great thing about curling is the curlers. From weekly league players to international competitors, curlers are a friendly group of people passionate about their sport. Olympians are no different, as you will read as some of our members share their memories of meeting Olympic curlers through the years.

Club member Kirsten Frese Collins shares, “For my birthday once, my boyfriend surprised me by enrolling us in a curling clinic taking place at his club. At first, I must admit, it was not the gift I had been expecting but little did I know how it would change my life. I had only curled for 9 months at the time, so I knew very little about the sport and even less about the many great curlers out there. Imagine my surprise as I was introduced to our instructors, 2002 Bronze Medalist curlers Georgina Wheatcroft and Julie Skinner! They were amazing as they spent two days working with us one on one on our curling skills while sharing their personal curling stories (who knew that Olympians were also regular league players, too, just like me?) 

“It was such an incredible experience that it not only inspired me to go out and buy curling shoes (just like Georgina’s), but to change my entire delivery (also like Georgina’s). Nine years later, I find myself still thinking back on many of the things we went over in class to help improve my curling game. And as if the clinic wasn’t gift enough, my boyfriend even managed to get us on the guest list for a special dinner with them! Before the weekend was over, not only did I have a greater understanding and appreciation for the game but I also got to take pictures with a real Olympic bronze medal!”