Less than 110 days remain until the commencement of the Paralympics in Milan-Cortina, where wheelchair curler Collinda Joseph is feeling confident and unrestrained in her role. At the Beijing Games four years ago, she served as an alternate and contributed to Canada’s mixed team winning a bronze medal by providing valuable feedback and moral support to her teammates.
Joseph, who had previously won provincial and Ontario titles, will now play as Canada’s lead at the upcoming Paralympics alongside skip Mark Ideson, second Ina Forrest, third Jon Thurston, and alternate Gilbert Dash. Unlike her past experience as an alternate, Joseph is now named as a starter, which gives her the comfort of knowing that she has room for error and can make up for any mistakes during the games.
In a recent interview, Joseph expressed the challenges of being an alternate, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining confidence when uncertain about playing in the next match. Head coach Mick Lizmore emphasized the significance of these Games for Joseph and Thurston, who will be experiencing the event with their families and friends due to the absence of spectators caused by the Covid pandemic.
Thurston’s remarkable performance in the 2022 bronze-medal match, where he executed a crucial takeout shot to secure victory over Slovakia, has impressed the coaching staff. Ideson, on the other hand, is gearing up for his fourth Paralympics as skip, while Forrest, a veteran in the sport, will be participating in her fifth Paralympic Games. Forrest, known for her leadership and professionalism, has been instrumental in elevating the team’s performance.
The team, consisting of a blend of seasoned players and a strong sense of camaraderie, has been preparing diligently for the upcoming tournament with a series of international matches and training sessions. The Canadian squad, which has a history of success in wheelchair curling, is set to kick off their campaign at the Milan-Cortina Games against Italy on March 7.
