Peterman Trains 7,000 km Away, Finds Scotties Highlights Hard to Watch
At the Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Canada’s Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant are focused on their mixed doubles curling competition. The unique time difference has laid challenges for Peterman, who missed the Scotties Tournament of Hearts to prepare for the Games.
Challenges of Time Zones
The final of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts took place in the early hours of Sunday, adding to Peterman’s struggle to adjust. The competition commenced at 1 a.m. local time in Italy, complicating Peterman’s efforts to support her team. “I sent them good-luck messages before bed,” she said, expressing her commitment despite being miles away.
Kaitlyn Lawes’ team lost a close final to Kerri Einarson, with the match ending 4-3 after an extra end. Watching from abroad, Peterman found it tough to witness her teammates’ struggle. “I’m a big team gal, and those are my girls,” she explained, reflecting on their four years of collaboration.
Replacement and Team Performance
Laura Walker stepped into the role vacated by Peterman during the 10-day competition in Mississauga, Ontario. Walker assisted Lawes in rounding up wins to secure a place in the final. Following this success, Einarson will represent Canada at the upcoming world women’s curling championship, scheduled for next month in Calgary.
Power Outage at the Olympic Venue
A minor power outage briefly affected the Olympic curling venue, where lighting issues delayed the first round-robin session. Tom Brewster, the venue’s sports manager, clarified that the problem stemmed from a grid issue affecting parts of Cortina. “We have good backups in place,” he stated, noting that play resumed promptly.
Focus on Competition
As the Games continue, Peterman and Gallant have decided to skip the opening ceremony in favor of preparing for their match against the United States. “We have such a busy schedule,” Gallant commented, emphasizing the importance of rest over ceremony. They plan to catch the opening festivities if time allows.
The curling competition is scheduled to run through February 22, with Peterman and Gallant aiming for Olympic success while managing the unique challenges of competing 7,000 kilometers away from home.
