Friday, November 30, 2001
'No weak link here'
Burtnyk takes on tough field
By JIM BENDER -- Winnipeg Sun
Ever since they finished out of the playoffs in 1997, Kerry Burtnyk's foursome had one goal: get back.
And now that they are in the 2001 Canadian Curling Olympic Trials, which start in Regina tomorrow, the next goal is to finish their accomplished curling careers with a flourish.
"I'm much more determined this time because it will be my last trials," said second Rob Meakin. "I'm excited to go but we're focused on only one thing and that's to win it.
"This is definitely special because it's one of the hardest things to get into and it's such a tremendous field that 5-4 might get you into the playoffs."
The Assiniboine Memorial crew finished out of the playoffs with a 5-4 record in Brandon, however.
"We were right into it until our last game, which we lost (to fellow Manitoban Jeff Stoughton)," recalled lead Keith Fenton. "But this is what curlers live for. It's a privilege to play in a competition of this calibre and we do always want to play against the best."
But it could be humbling.
"There's no weak link here," Meakin said. "You're a world-class team but you could still be 1-8 and that adds to the pressure. If you curl 75%, you're not going to make it and that makes it more intense."
COMPETITIVE JUICES
But it's that intensity that has Burtnyk's competitive juices flowing.
"Having been there before will help because we have an idea of the gut-wrenching pressure we'll be under," said the two-time Brier and former world champion.
"You could even see it etched on the faces of guys like Eddie Werenich and Kevin Martin during the games. The pressure you're under far exceeds any Brier and it's exhausting.
"But this is what you dream of -- playing for what you consider to be the biggest prize in curling (Olympics)."
And it's a dream that helped keep Burtnyk's spirits up while going through his ordeal last summer, when he underwent surgery for a second time to remove a cancerous lump from his head.
"We're fully expecting to be up against some of the best curlers in the world," said Burtnyk, runner-up to Alberta's Randy Ferbey at the last Brier. "Realistically, it's going to depend on whether we can win a game or two when we don't play well. That'll be the big break you need."
Burtnyk returned to the ice in late September, winning his first event, albeit a Manitoba Curling Tour cashspiel in Selkirk. However, his squad is only 23rd on the World Curling Tour money list with $15,000.
"We know we'll have to be at our best and I'm really happy with the way the team is rounding into shape," said Burtnyk, who opens against Ontario's young John Morris tomorrow. "We took last weekend off and I think we all feel refreshed."
Third Jeff Ryan, however, said the team can play better -- especially after it failed to qualify in its last WCT event in Grand Forks.
"You look at the money list and see that guys like Stoughton, Morris and (B.C.'s Bert) Gretzinger have all won a lot of spiels so, they've been playing well right from the start," he said. "And we probably haven't played our A game consistently from the start of the season. Hopefully, we'll get that going and get some breaks along the way. I think we're ready."
At least they are more prepared this time.
"It was pretty nerve-wracking last time because I don't think we knew what we were in for until we got there," Ryan said. "Now we know what to expect. It's the toughest thing we've ever played in.
"And it would be a great way to wind up the career there."
2002 Games Curling Coverage
