(Submitted photo/Brian Kjelshus)

By Ben Tompkins

2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games

Melfort Special Olympic curling team wins National gold

Mar 6, 2024 | 10:18 AM

The Melfort Special Olympic (MSO) curling team was in Calgary this past week for the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.

There, they were able to take home their second national gold since 2006 and their fifth overall, representing Team Saskatchewan.

“It was pretty exciting,” explained coach Brian Kjelshus. “Especially for the two new curlers we had on the team, that was kind of a highlight for them because they’ve never been there before. Our other three guys, this is their fifth national games, so I mean, it’s always fun to win, but I think that the first time is even better.”

For the two new, that was their first time at the games, meaning a first time for them to medal, as the games are only run every four years.

As for a couple of veterans on the team, it was their fifth opportunity, as they’ve now medalled every time they’ve represented Team Saskatchewan, taking home two golds, two silvers, and a bronze since 2006.

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“It’s so much fun, you’re representing your town and your province kind of thing and we had I think three of the parents watching the guys curl and then my assistant coach, her son plays on the team, so we had a lot of family support,” Kelshus added. “It’s always fun to watch your kids perform in any kind of sport, so that was good and we had lots of support that way.”

And while five medals in the last 18 years have created a bit of a dynasty for the northeast team, Kjelshus believes they got a bit of a favour this time around.

“We don’t have anything to do with where we’re placed kind of thing. The A division is the top and we were placed in the B division. I think people looked at it that because we had a couple of new curlers that we weren’t the kind of top tier anymore, but the guys played really well.”

To begin, each team plays three two-end games to determine where everyone should sit, as Sask had two ties and a win during this process.

After that, they went perfect the rest of the way, including a 3 and 0 record heading into the semi-finals and finals. They had two 6-2 wins, an 8-2 and 8-1 victory, and a 12-1 dominating win.

“Most of the teams are good with the draw games, but the hitting can be an issue kind of thing, they will be outside the broom or take the wrong ice kind of thing… Danny (Fiedelleck) had made a takeout in the round-robin against Alberta to give us three, as both of our games against them came down to the final end.”

Unfortunately, there are no current plans for a World Championship, as most places don’t have legitimate curling venues.

Apparently, however, people are trying to get curling on the map with the potential to have opportunities to play in Italy in either 2025 or 2029.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8

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