Korean curlers gain experience in Manitoba as they prepare for world championship

Although many may see curling as an inherently Canadian sport, a group of Korean curlers training at various rinks across the province says off the rink, the sport knows no boundaries.

Members of Korea’s Women’s National Junior Team are doing their best to land on the button as they train for the upcoming World Junior Championships in Finland, taking to the ice at various rinks in the province, including in Lorette, Man.

“The main reason for coming to Canada is to have as much ice time as we can to practise,” said Jaehee Jeong, a member of the Korean junior team, through a translator.

“That’s a main factor for us. Also to interact with other teams and make connections so we can make new friendships at the same time.”

The team’s head coach Youngil Kwon explained due to the fact the team’s roster is made up of younger players, playing on the Prairies will help them prepare and learn from teams already hot on the ice.

“The main reason for us to come here is to gain experience,” he said. “To play against some of the better teams in the field so we can get ready for the worlds.”

After training in Manitoba for two weeks, the team will head to Saskatchewan for more ice time before taking off for Finland, where they’ll be up against the world’s best.

Jeong says they’re learning a lot about teamwork from the Canadian curling culture.

“I feel like our main focus is on communication, and most Canadian teams are very positive, and communicate very well. So it’s something we can learn a lot from,” she said.

“I think we are ready to compete, we just hope to bring the same consistent performance in Finland, and eventually, to the worlds in Italy.”

The ice in the province, especially in Lorette, Man., has been proving so impressive that after their travels, the team will be back again to train, said Kwon.

“I think it’s great ice, the club in Lorette doesn’t have too many people, so it feels private, it’s a really good fit for us,” he said. “We get to practise a lot, and the ice itself is fabulous. We’d like to come back here again next year as well.”

The World Junior-B Curling Championships 2024 takes place in Lohja, Finland from Dec. 8- 19 and serves as a qualifying event for the 2025 World Junior Curling Championships.