Dunstone, Anderson looking forward to 2021 curling nationals

Two of Saskatchewan’s top curling teams are getting ready to represent their province at national competitions.

CurlSask selected the teams skipped by Matt Dunstone and Sherry Anderson to play at the 2021 Tim Hortons Brier and Scotties Tournament of Hearts, respectively.

The skips joined the Green Zone on Friday to discuss the upcoming tournaments and the process that led to them being chosen.

The usual provincial playdowns were cancelled because of COVID-19. Instead, a two-year point system was used.

Dunstone was disappointed not to play in the provincial final, but he’s still glad to head to the Brier.

“(Settling it on the ice) is always the way you like to do it, (but) it’s obviously unprecedented circumstances this year. Anytime you’re going to go to the Brier, (you have) no choice but to be excited about it and we definitely are,” he said.

“We’re excited we get to begin the planning process now of how to put our best foot forward and ultimately win that Brier.”

Anderson is sympathetic to Robyn Silvernagle, who skipped Team Saskatchewan in the 2020 Scotties.

However, Silvernagle didn’t make the cut this year because of the points system used.

It’s something Anderson expected, since Silvernagle’s team had only two returning players.

“We knew there was probably somebody else going to represent (Saskatchewan) and we were up at the top of the standings last year. We were the runnerup team last year,” Anderson said.

Both tournaments will be played in an NHL-style bubble in Calgary.

The Scotties come first, currently scheduled for Feb. 19-28.

“It is going to be so different … Expectation-wise, I’m going in hoping that we should make the playoff round … We haven’t been on the ice for two months and it just depends on how much we can get on the ice and throw some rocks at least before we go there,” Anderson said.

Dunstone, on the other hand, has managed to get some practice in. He’s allowed to use a rink in his current hometown of Kamloops, B.C.

“I’m fortunate enough that they do have the rink open for a select group of athletes, so I’ve been able to practise quite regularly — almost daily. So I guess that leaves me with no excuse but to be somewhat sharp for the bubble,” he said.

However, the situation isn’t the same for his teammates in Saskatchewan.

“The guys haven’t been on (the ice) for a few months now. So that’s where our conversation turns to, is ‘How?’ and ‘Where?’ Obviously, we have to find some sort of training somewhere before we dive into this, to give ourselves the best opportunity to win,” Dunstone said.

The Brier is to be held March 6-14.

Dunstone will be joined by third Braeden Moskowy, second Kirk Muyres and lead Dustin Kidby at the Brier. Anderson’s teammates are Nancy Martin at third, Chaelynn Kitz at second and Breanne Knapp at lead.