Local curlers face defending champion in opening draw of 2023 Brier

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John’s Sterling Middleton and Dawson Creek’s Jason Ginter, as part of Team Gauthier, will face off against Team Canada in Friday night’s opening draw of the Brier in London, Ontario.

It is Middleton’s first time at the Brier.

“It feels great to make it to the Brier and have a chance to play on the biggest stage in curling,” Middleton said.

Victoria-based Team Gauthier, representing BC, consists of Middleton, Ginter, Jacques Gauthier, Alex Horvath and alternate Rick Sawatsky.

“[Team Canada] played a bit of a lighter schedule this year. They haven’t played their game in two or three months,” Gauthier explained.

“For us, we’re going to have to get our feet wet here early, and we have to play early, but both teams are going to be figuring out the rocks and the ice. We know we’ll have to play them sometime, so why not play them when we are both still trying to figure it all out?”

Middleton said the ice feels excellent so far but expects the conditions to change as the championship continues.

Middleton and Gauthier agreed they are more excited than nervous before the game but know the nerves might set in once they step out onto the ice.

“We’ve done a really good job managing [nerves] at high-pressure games, and I think it’s more just an exciting nerve, for sure,” Middleton added.

Team BC will hit the ice to face defending champion Brad Gushue and Team Canada in their first draw Friday at 5 p.m., MST on TSN.

The full interview can be viewed below: