The 2026 Women’s World Curling Championships is currently taking place in Calgary, Alberta. On Tuesday, I am had the opportunity to speak with Canadians second Shannon Birchard of Winnipeg, Manitoba following Canada’s 9-6 win over Italy.
Q: In the second half of the game after five games in the tournament so far, you have outscored your opponent 22-7. Talk about running your opponent down.
A: “Patience has been the number one thing here in all these games. I feel we want to get our feet under us to start the game, keep it close and then dial in on our precision when the game goes on. We are very comfortable with the ice, and we have a lot of great communication. Everyone is on the same page out there. It feels really easy at times.”
Q: Tell me about Val Sweeting’s great shot in the eighth end which set up four points.
A: “She made a great one there. To tickle the yellow stone out into the open was key because otherwise, they would have probably come down and froze on us, and the force would have been on. To force them to make a hit and roll through the port was huge. Kerri was able to follow it down. It was a great end (four points) all in all.”
Q: You are a former skip now in the second position. How has that transition gone and talk a little bit about that process? You seem to be very comfortable at the second position.
A: “It has been eight years. I am creeping up to equal footing to the number of years I have skipped and now being a front end player. Every year you can dial in a little bit more. Even now, we get super precise on our sweeping, and we are always trying to get better at that. My past experience as a skip has helped in terms of strategy, and helping out when I can if decisions need to be made. I don’t feel like a skip anymore. I am definitely a second at this point of my career. I am super proud what I have been able to accomplish as a second and love playing that position.”
Q: On Wednesday morning your opponent is Turkiye. Are you surprised that they are in the mix at four wins and two losses?
A: “They are a great team. You don’t see them very much on tour throughout the season. Their first worlds were in 2022 in Prince George. They throw big weight and super accurately. I am not surprised they are having a good week so far. I think they play a lighter schedule (in terms of total games played) and it probably pays off. They focus on their technical and really study the teams here. We are going to have to come out strong against them. We will just have to keep on firing.”
