Corner Brook -
Amanda Rumboldt isn't fussy about travelling across the province on Boxing Day.
However, it helps her festive mood knowing the only reason she is heading east is because of curling.
The Amanda Rumboldt rink, representing the Caribou Curling Club in Stephenville, will compete in the provincial junior women's curling championship Dec. 27-31 at the Re/Max Centre in St. John's.
"It sucks because we have to leave on the 26th, Boxing Day. I don't like it, but I love curling more than Boxing Day so ...," Rumboldt told The Western Star earlier this week.
Rumboldt's rink, entering only its second provincial junior championship, is comprised of third Ashley Rumboldt of Corner Brook, lead Bronwyn Woolfrey of Corner Brook, second Chloe Deaves of Cape St. George and fifth Charlotte Woolfrey of Corner Brook. Both Charlotte Woolfrey and Deaves were recently named to the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial team at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax, N.S.
The Rumboldt rink, under the watchful eye of coach Susan Curtis of Corner Brook, has been travelling to Stephenville for ice-time because there is no curling club in the city. It has been a challenge, but the girls are committed to making the best of a challenging situation.
"We've been playing really well out in Stephenville. We've been winning most of our games out there," she said.
Rumboldt is realistic in her expectations, knowing full well there will be some stiff competition in the field with more experience on their side.
"It's going to be rough because where we're travelling to Stephenvlle we're not getting as much practice in as we used to, so we don't have the experience we would if we had a curling club in Corner Brook," she said.
"We're looking for some good competition, hopefully we will play well, and we're looking for some fun also, as always," she added.
Rumboldt, a 17-year-old Level 3 student at Corner Brook Regional High School, wasn't sure of her record at last year's event but she thinks the team managed to win one game before it was all said and done.
"Not very good. We had a lot of fun though," she said of her debut on the provincial junior curling scene.
Actually, the Rumboldt rink was respectable for a young squad with a 2-3 record at the provincial tournament last year.
All she can do is try her best and encourage her teammates to give it their all right down to the final stone.
"Try not to think about the pressure. Just play it clean and play our game the way we do best," she said of her focus.
"I'm looking for good games out of my girls and good shots by everybody. Everybody has to be focused."
