Olds Curling Club members got a surprise at their Ironman Bonspiel last Tuesday.
They were joined by Kim Forge, the Australian Ladies National Team skip and top-ranked World Mixed Doubles player.
Forge, who grew up on a farm west of Crossfield, was visiting her family for Christmas. When she heard of the bonspiel, she called the club to ask if there was a spot available for her.
"I teamed up with Theresa Coupal and I enjoyed the physically demanding format of the Ironman competition in training for the relatively new discipline of Mixed Doubles,î she said.
"I found the ice to be perfect for this kind of format, being keen and very swingy.î
Forge also took the occasion to praise the club for its hospitality and initiative for planning curling events that are a bit different.
The bonspiel was an opportunity for Forge to train for the upcoming World Curling Championships, which will take place in Turkey at the end of April.
During the Ironman Bonspiel, 24 members played for 10 hours.
"We had a good time. There were lots of people,î said Dale Holmes, organizer of the event.
The teams played a stakes format, where each team was credited back part of its fee.
"Every time a team wins, they get half of what the other team has. If they lose, they lose half of what they have to the other team,î said Holmes.
"There was really no best team against the best team game. It was just a friendly Christmas game.î
