'Just a dream': Volunteers enjoying chance to watch world-class curlers in Fredericton

Organizers are revelling in the opportunity to watch world-class curlers sweep the ice at Willie O'Ree Place as a pair of world championships unfold this week in Fredericton.

A total of 67 teams representing 35 countries are competing in the world mixed doubles curling championship and the world senior curling championship until May 3.

"To see these players live in person is just a dream," said Lorna Campbell, one of 190 volunteers working behind the scenes to stage the event.

While she helps out with statistics and timing, Campbell is watching as the competitors in the mixed doubles championship also try to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

"I think as an athlete, I don't know that there's a bigger dream than that. So it's really fun to come and watch these curlers with so much on the line and see, hopefully, they'll make their dreams come true and get to the Olympics," she said.

Campbell's daughter Jenna, a young curler who hopes herself to compete for a spot in the Olympics Games some day, is also volunteering and has enjoyed seeing top curling talent up close.

She said watching the competitors practise their routines will help improve her own game.

"Getting to see them work so hard to achieve their dreams is really inspiring for me as a younger curler. So, I could definitely be in this position one day," she said.

Event chairman Wayne Tallon has been part of the planning process since the World Curling governing body chose Fredericton to act as host of the championships more than a year ago.

"Today the proof is in the pudding, everybody's very happy on the way things have gone," Tallon said Saturday.

Stephen Muzzerall echoed those sentiments.

The president of the Capital Winter Club, a curling rink on the south side of Fredericton, said this week's championships have put Fredericton "on the map" for hosting international events.

Muzzerall, who said he first stepped on a sheet of curling ice when he was three years old, has enjoyed seeing senior competitors such as Scotland's Tom Brewster and Germany's Andy Kapp who he grew up watching.

But he said it's also special to be able to watch the "next generation" of top-level curlers like the Canadian husband-and-wife team of Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman in the mixed doubles championship.