Homan drops opener to Harrison at curling trials

Jacqueline Harrison admitted that nerves were a challenge in her debut appearance Saturday at the Tim Hortons Canadian Curling Trials.

SASKATOON – Jacqueline Harrison admitted that nerves were a challenge in her debut appearance Saturday at the Tim Hortons Canadian Curling Trials.

You wouldn’t know it by the results.

The veteran skip took a few deep breaths before settling into the hack and making a game-winning deuce for a 6-5 victory over defending champion Rachel Homan in the women’s round-robin opener at the SaskTel Centre.

“We were just getting rocks in play and putting them in good spots and just trying to make their shots as difficult as we could,” Harrison said. “We’ve all been in big-game situations before and yes, this is a really special event and you want to do well.”

Harrison, from Waterdown, Ont., came through the recent pre-trials to earn the last spot in the nine-team women’s field. She has played in some Grand Slam events and Ontario championships in the past, but this is by far the biggest event of her career.

Two of her teammates – vice Alli Flaxey and second Lynn Kreviazuk – missed the playoffs at the 2017 trials in Ottawa. The lineup from the Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club is rounded out by Laura Hickey.

Harrison battled butterflies at times and said her knees would shake a little bit on occasion. She threw 76 per cent for the game and improved to 5-12 lifetime against Homan.

“It’s great, everyone wants a win in their first game,” Harrison said. “You just get comfortable, make some shots … we’re really pleased.”