Saturday, December 8, 2001
Sherry's right on the money
By CON GRIWKOWSKY -- Edmonton Sun
REGINA -- Sherry Anderson, the best money player on the women's cashspiel tour since 1994, has earned a chance to showcase her talents on the international stage.
Anderson upended defending world champion Colleen Jones 9-5 in yesterday's Olympic Trials semifinal and will meet Kelley Law in today's women's final (11:30 a.m., TSN).
There was little drama in the semi after Jones's final draw in the second end went heavy for a steal of three and a 5-0 Anderson lead.
Anderson, who defeated Law 6-5 in the round-robin earlier this week, is from Deslisle, a town 35 km southwest of Saskatoon, population 800, that has "no traffic lights and a couple of stop signs.''
For her to get the go sign to the Olympics, Anderson has to drive in a familiar lane.
"This is just another big cashspiel,'' said Anderson, who's lost the last two Saskatchewan provincial finals. "We're pretty good all year and hopefully we can execute (today) and show how good we are. Confidence breeds confidence and you start to feel you can do anything.''
Being from Saskatchewan, the legacy of following 1998 gold medal winner Sandra Schmirler is always lurking in the background.
"It would mean a lot just to go to the Olympics,'' said Anderson. "But to be in the same thoughts and the same breath as Sandra would be a very nice feeling for us. We're not in the same league as she was, but we're getting closer.
"We still have a lot to prove. If we don't win (today), nobody will even put us in the same space. If we win, certainly, we'll be getting closer to that.''
In a way, Jones seemed almost relieved her week was over. She'll be back as Team Canada at the Scotts in Brandon and said she was concerned about how much a toll playing in both the Scotts and Olympics could have taken on her family.
"I think they were just destined to win the game,'' said Jones. "Me curling in the Olympics is just not going to be on my resume. I don't think I'll get another crack at it - given my age (41).''
2002 Games Curling Coverage
