Englot adds insurance for curling pre-trials

Michelle Englot has endured enough worry to carry her through the Canadian Olympic curling team pre-trials in Prince George, B.C.

The Regina skip had to find an alternate in case second Roberta Materi wasn't able to make the trip to Prince George for the pre-trials, which start today. Materi, who came down with a severe case of the flu Nov. 1, recovered in time to make the trip with her team Monday.

Materi's week-long battle with the flu meant Englot still added Regina's Debbie Lozinski as a fifth player as insurance.

"Roberta is 100 per cent," Englot said Monday after arriving in Prince George. "She'll be fine by game time but if someone does come down sick we do have a backup. Hopefully we won't need her."

Englot said Materi wasn't tested for the H1N1 virus but suffered from the same symptoms. The uncertainty surrounding her second caused Englot some consternation.

"We were really prepared until the flu hit," said Englot. "We decided in our planning that we weren't going to take a fifth. That turned out not to be a great decision."

Englot added that the rest of her team -- third Deanna Doig and lead Cindy Simmons -- are healthy.

Englot is one of three Saskatchewan-based skips on the women's side of the pre-trials. The others are Kronau's Amber Holland and Saskatoon's Sherry Anderson. Pat Simmons and Joel Jordison, who both curl out of Moose Jaw, are on the men's side.

Four men's and four women's teams from the pre-trials advance to the Canadian Olympic team trials, Dec. 6-13 in Edmonton. Saskatoon's

Stefanie Lawton has already qualified for the main trials.

The timing of Materi's illness couldn't be worse considering the effort Englot and Co. have put into preparing for the pre-trials. The foursome embarked on a strenuous conditioning program with the assistance of personal trainers. Englot said she has never been in better physical condition, especially compared to 2001 when she took part in the Olympic team trials in Regina.

"We prepared (in 2001) but never anything like we have this year," said Englot. "The funding we got for the off-ice training and everything else . . . we never had any of that in 2001. From where it's gone in eight years is amazing."

Englot said the support has removed any excuses from their preparations for this year's pre-trials.

"From a physical point of view, this team is in better shape than any I've played with," said the 45-year-old Englot, who is a six-time Saskatchewan women's champion. "We've taken advantage of every opportunity and because I'm eight years older (than in 2001), I had to work harder to be in better shape than anyone else."

Twelve men's and 12 women's team are vying for the Olympic trials berths. Some have known for two years that they are in the pre-trials and others clinched berths in April. Now, they are in the same situation with similar goals.

"Basically it's a do-or-die competition," said Englot. "Either the dream remains alive or it dies in Prince George. We need to approach it with the same urgency. This year, we had put a little bit too much pressure on ourselves for results and we've decided to go and have fun.

"Whatever happens, happens and it's not like we do this for a living. It's supposed to be a fun sport and we're hoping to have a relaxed approach. Hopefully things will come together."

ROAD TO THE GAMES

Canadian Olympic team pre-trials

What: Twelve men's and 12 women's team competing to earn the last four berths to the Roar of the Rings (Canadian Olympic team trials) Dec. 6-13 in Edmonton.

Where: CN Centre, Prince George, B.C.

When: Today to Saturday.

Format: A triple knockout for men and women. A and B event winners and C finalists from each division advance to the trials.

The field (listed in order of seedings)

Women: 1. Kelly Scott (Kelowna); 2. Sherry Middaugh (Coldwater, Ont.); 3. Marie-France Larouche (St. Romuald, Que.); 4. Michelle Englot (Regina); 5. Heather Rankin (Calgary); 6. Rachel Homan (Ottawa); 7. Crystal Webster (Calgary); 8. Cathy King (Edmonton); 9. Krista McCarville (Thunder Bay, Ont.); 10. Amber Holland (Kronau); 11. Sherry Anderson (Saskatoon); 12. Eve Belisle (Montreal).

Men: 1. Jeff Stoughton (Winnipeg.); 2. Wayne Middaugh (Toronto); 3. Brad Gushue (St. John's, N.L.); 4. Mike McEwen (Winnipeg); 5. Kerry Burtnyk (Winnipeg); 6. Joel Jordison (Moose Jaw); 7. Jean-Michel Menard (St. Romuald, Que.); 8. Ted Appleman (Edmonton); 9. Bob Ursel (Kelowna); 10. Pat Simmons (Moose Jaw); 11. Greg McAulay (Richmond, B.C.); 12. Jason Gunnlaugson (Beausejour, Man.).

Television (all games on TSN and TSN2)

Women: A final (Thursday, 2:30 p.m.); B final (Friday, 3 p.m.); C semifinals (Saturday, noon).

Men: A final (Thursday, 8:30 p.m.); B final (Friday, 8:30 p.m.); C semifinals (Saturday, noon).