by Melissa Soligo former Scotties champion and an Olympic Bronze Medalist

It is finally here!  The 2009 Scotties Tournament of Heart is under way.

For so many, the host committee, the volunteers and the fans, the energy is starting to rev up in the city of Victoria.  The excitement is in the air and the memories have started to formulate.  But for the players, the wait has been unlike any other.  The dream of standing on the podium is evident but the time between now and then seems like forever.

Teams began arriving in Victoria as early as Wednesday and they all made it with little thanks to the weather back east. After a quick introduction to their drivers, the teams started settling in at the Empress Hotel, and began to familiarize themselves with the city - some choosing to load up on snacks and fluids (of all kinds), others opting for tours and still others chose what all ladies do best . . . they went shopping.

Friday was a long day for everyone.  The athletes were eager to start, but first, there were a number of obligations to fulfil.  Practices began at 8 a.m.  If you were one of the lucky ones, you were just getting out of bed or maybe having breakfast while the first group was starting their practice.  Following those practices was the mandatory team briefing during which, in short, the riot act is read to the participants. The next stop on the agenda was the Ford Hot Shots which is an amazing and challenging opportunity for one talented curler to win a car.   Congrats to Cheryl Bernard of Alberta for an outstanding performance.

Friday night was the official off-ice start to the Scotties — the opening banquet at the Victoria Conference Centre.  It was a spectacular evening full of fun, laughter and stories.  It was an evening to honour the sponsors, nationally, provincially and locally.  We paid our first (of many) tributes to all the participating teams.   We had an amazing dinner and if memory serves me correct there may have been a bar or two there as well. 

One of the most important parts of the evening (to me) was the introduction and acknowledgement of past national champions.  The list of past champions, here in B.C., is long and impressive. In attendance were Lindsay Sparkes and Robin Wilson (the Seventies), Linda Moore, Laurie Carney, Lindsay (again) and Debbie Jones Walker (the Eighties), Louise Herlinveaux, Debbie Massullo and Georgina (Hawkes) Wheatcroft (the late eighties); Julie (Sutton) Skinner, Jodie (Sutton) Green and your (ahem) obedient servant (the Nineties); Diane (Nelson) Dezura, George (again), Julie (again) and Kelley Law (the new millennium). It was a time to reminisce about the good times and catch up on the present. 

As a female curler in this country, and playing at the national stage, the most exciting part of the evening for the competitors was the presentation of the diamonds and jewelry.  As a first timer, you receive a Scotties heart necklace.  The returning provincial winners get a diamond placed in the necklace until you have four.  If you are one of those long-time repeaters (and you know who you are) you get a beautiful gold bracelet with individual hearts and diamonds.

Now, if you win a national championship, you get a unique ring with four hearts and a diamond in the middle.  For runners-up the ring is set with a ruby and for third-place finishers the ring is set with an emerald.  As a repeat national winner, the diamond in the ring is upgraded in carats.  

From my perspective, it was astonishing to sit in a room filled with so many veteran athletes (past and present) and so few rookie athletes. The room was electric. And the anticipation of competing was at the forefront.  I can only imagine what was going through their minds.  To me, it was always two questions: Can we play yet and what would it be like to win the Scotties Tournament of Hearts? 

Some 15 hours later after another busy morning of practices, opening ceremonies, Hot Shot quarters, semis and final and practice again, Draw One was set to begin.

With the crowd filing in wearing its collective vibrant colours, the signs and flags were abundant, and the cowbells were ringing. You could hear the cheers starting from the moment the first rock took its path.

Here we go.  I can hardly wait for Day Two.