Small town, big dreams
A conversation with Kerri Einarson: champion curler and proud Manitoban
Kerri Einarson from Gimli, Manitoba is a four-time Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion.
Kerri Einarson hails from the small town of Gimli, Manitoba but her curling career has catapulted her to the top of some of the biggest stages in sports. As a four-time Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion, Kerri is recognized as one of the best curlers in the world. Together with her team of Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard, and Briane Harris, Kerri continues dreaming big. Winning more titles and earning more opportunities to wear the maple leaf and represent Canada are motivating goals for the foursome, who are quickly writing themselves into curling history.
The WolfStrata Group is a proud sponsor of Team Einarson. We spoke with our favourite Manitoba skip about her love for the game and why she believes her rink embodies the spirit of a wolf pack. Here’s some of our conversation.
Manitobans are passionate about curling and this province has produced some great champions (yourself included). In your opinion, what contributes to the strong curling culture here in Manitoba?
Well, it all starts at the grassroots. Here in Manitoba, we have so many curling clubs. I know when I was younger, I spent so much time at curling clubs with my parents—I basically lived at the curling rink. We also have so many people who are passionate about curling and love to give back to the sport, myself included. I love teaching curling and helping others learn the sport.
You’ve shared that your uncle, Brier champion Greg McAulay, was a role model who inspired you to pursue curling at an elite level. Who are some other mentors who’ve impacted you over the years?
I also looked up to Sandra Schmirler; she was one of my favourite female athletes. When she passed away from cancer at such a young age, it was a big loss for curling. But her legacy continues to be inspiring.
Today, you and your teammates are role models and mentors in your own right. What advice do you have for young athletes striving for excellence in their respective sports?
If you have a dream, you can achieve it. What you put into the sport is what you’ll get out of it. Set goals but make sure they are realistic and achievable. If you work hard and dedicate yourself to those goals, you will be able to achieve them. And once you have succeeded, set new goals. If a small-town girl like me can make my dreams happen, anyone can.
Left to right: Skip Kerri Einarson, Third Val Sweeting, Second Shannon Birchard, and Lead Briane Harris
We’ve seen you throw many big shots in make-or-break situations. How do you prepare yourself for those high-pressure moments?
It’s hard to prepare yourself for those situations, but the more you get yourself into those situations, the easier they become. You start to know how to control your emotions and slow down your heart rate. For myself, I work a lot with a sports psychologist and focus on my breathing in those moments.
At this year’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts, you’ll be playing for your fifth straight title. Is it different coming into a tournament as the defending champion?
It is a little different because we know we have a target on our backs. Everyone wants to beat Team Canada. But we just focus on ourselves and what we need to do out there.
You compete against a lot of skilled teams locally, nationally, and internationally. What do you think gives Team Einarson “an edge?”
We are always striving to be the best and are coming up with different strategies. We are always wanting to improve every year and we don’t get complacent with where we are at.
Members of Team Einarson celebrate a win.
You’ve already accomplished so much in your career. What goals are you still striving to achieve and what do you have your sights set on next?
We set goals every year. One of them is winning the Scotties, getting ourselves back on the world stage, and getting more experience wearing that maple leaf. But one of our main goals is to get to the Olympics. That is our dream.
At WolfStrata, we often refer to our staff and our larger community of clients and partners as a “wolf pack.” There’s a famous line from The Jungle Book that says, “The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.” How does this idea of shared leadership and teamwork apply to curling? And more specifically, how do you see it play out in your rink, which is comprised of four former skips?
I absolutely love that saying! I think it applies to my team a lot. With us being four skips, my teammates had to put their egos aside and put their trust in me to lead this team—and they did. Because of that, we’ve had much success over the last five years together. Fun fact: I recently got a tattoo on my arm of a wolf. Wolves symbolize integrity, loyalty, ferocity, strength, and strong determination, and I feel a wolf describes me.
Kerri Einarson and her team compete out of the Gimli Curling Club in Gimli, Manitoba.
Skip Stones: Fun facts about Kerri
Playlist pick: Baseball players have “walk-up songs” played over the sound system as they approach the plate. If curlers had “walk-up songs” that played as they approached the hack, what tune would you choose?
“Lose Yourself” by Eminem.
Crossover sport: If you weren’t a curler, what other sport would you like to play professionally?
I love all sports but if I had to choose one, I’d say baseball or even beach volleyball.
Curling monikers: Have you gained any nicknames throughout your career?
I sure have! Einy and Hollywood because I travel everywhere.
Game-day rituals: Do you have any superstitions?
If we are on a winning streak, I don’t change my pants, shirt, or socks. Also, I need to sit in the same spots in the vehicle and take the same route to the rink.
The WolfStrata Group is a proud sponsor of Team Kerri Einarson.
We’re cheering on these game-changing athletes both on and off the ice as they lead, inspire, and pave the way for future generations.
