‘It still feels so surreal:’ Ackerman thrilled to represent Sask. at Scotties

Several hours after winning the Viterra Scotties in Tisdale, Skylar Ackerman and her Saskatoon rink were still in disbelief about the fact that they will be representing Saskatchewan at the 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary next month.

“Honestly, me and my one teammate were actually just talking about this and it still feels so surreal,” said Ackerman, 22. “I don’t know if it’s ever really going to kick in. It’s been such a dream of ours ever since we were little kids, so to have it finally come to fruition here is unreal for us.”

Ackerman’s team also includes Kaylin Skinner at lead, Taylor Stremick at second and Ashley Thevenot at third. They’re all in the same age range as Ackerman – Thevenot is 25, Stremick is 23 and Skinner is 26.

The team curls out of the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon and Ackerman will make history by becoming the youngest curler to ever represent Saskatchewan at the Brier, according to CurlSask.

“It’s pretty unbelievable. We didn’t really think about it going in,” Ackerman said when asked what it means to become the youngest curler to represent the province on the women’s national stage. “It’s quite an honour and we’re just really excited to represent Saskatchewan and hopefully have some success at the Scotties coming up.”

Ackerman said her team was determined to get to the Scotties this year.

“It was our goal moving into the season,” she said. “The season started off a little slower than we expected in August and September, but as the season progressed, we got those wins and kept building and building. We had our peak at provincials and we are really excited.

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“We just try to take things one shot at a time and just trust in the process and all the work we’ve put in. Hopefully we can carry this momentum forward with us moving into Calgary.”

Ackerman’s rink finished first in its pool with a record of 4-1. Its only loss of the tournament came in a 10-5 game against defending-champion Robyn Silvernagle’s rink.

Ackerman’s team defeated Nancy Martin’s rink 10-9 in an extra end to claim the provincial championship.

While this will be first time at the Scotties for the team, it won’t be the first time for Ackerman. Last year, she was given the opportunity to serve as the alternate for Team Silvernagle at the Scotties.

She didn’t get to play in any games, but is hopeful the experience from last year can give her team an upper hand going into the Scotties this year.

“It was really an honour being asked to be their fifth last year,” she said. “I feel like I have a little more expectations moving into the big national event in Calgary.

“As a team, we kind of have a little information about what to expect and the off-ice things that are going to come with the event. I learned a lot working with Team Silvernagle last year and I’m really thankful for that experience.”

Ackerman thinks that having such a young team could serve as an advantage at nationals.

“I think that’s sometimes an advantage because we like to have fun and stay in the moment,” she said. “We play loose and have fun and we play better that way.”

She almost reiterated those words when asked if she or the team are nervous to go up against some former Olympians, national champions and even her idols.

“It’s a little bit intimidating moving into the event, but we’re just going to take things one shot at a time there and just have some fun and enjoy the experience and do the best we can,” Ackerman added.

Over the next month, the team will be doing a lot of planning and practice.

“We’re just going to keep finetuning our skills and keep doing what we’re doing,” Ackerman said.