By the time Jocelyn Peterman takes to the ice against the Czech Republic at the World Junior Ladies’ Curling Championship in Oestersund, Sweden, Saturday she hopes to be over any jet lag.
Peterman and her Canadian championship team of third Brittany Tran, second Rebecca Konschuh, lead Kristine Anderson and alternate Nadine Chyz left Calgary Tuesday evening.
“It’s about a 17 hour flight to get there, but I can sleep on the plane, so that should help,” she said.
As well the adrenalin will kick in.
Peterman plays twice Saturday, finishing the day against defending champion Scotland, who is skipped by Hannah Fleming, taking over from four time champion Eve Muirhead, who beat Trish Paulsen of Saskatchewan in last year’s final.
The 18-year-old Peterman and Canadian boys’ champion Brendan Bottcher of Edmonton, will be looking to bring gold back to Canada for the first time since 2003.
But despite the lack of gold, Canada is always among the teams to beat at any world curling championship. But Peterman isn’t worried about any extra pressure.
“Teams will be looking at us, but we can’t worry about that, we’ll just try to play our game the best we can and not think about how the other people are trying to approach us.”
The Peterman team has had some time to prepare for the worlds.
“We talked to a couple of people who have been to the same place before and they told us a little bit about what to expect. Plus we’ve talked with the guys who make the ice.
“The main thing everyone told us was that the food will be a little different, but there’s not many differences with the ice. It’s in an arena and we played the Canadians in an arena, so we’ll be used to that.”
Peterman doesn’t know anything about her opponents, despite the fact Japan played an event Peterman attended last year.
“It was an international event, mainly between Canada and the U.S., and Japan was there, but we didn’t see them.”
Peterman’s mother, Nancy McInerney, is the coach of the team and her dad, Lowell Peterman, will be making the trip.
“Most of the parents will be there, which is good,” said Jocelyn. “Hopefully we have a good fan base.”
The two Canadian teams will also be in the stands for each other.
“We played a lot of ‘spiels with them in Alberta, probably every second weekend, so we see them all the time and we’re friends. So it’s exciting to be going over with them.”
Peterman will play a 10-team round-robin before the playoffs, which are slated for March 10. The medal games are March 11.
“It will be a bit hectic, but we played a 13-team round-robin at the nationals, so we’re used to it,” said Peterman.
Bottcher’s team will also have a bit of Central Alberta flavour with third Evan Asmussen, who led the RDC Kings to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference men’s curling title last year, and fifth Parker Konschuh of Sundre, who is Rebecca’s brother.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com