Less than 110 days remain until the commencement of the Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina, where wheelchair curler Collinda Joseph is feeling more self-assured and liberated in her delivery of rocks using a stick rather than gliding on the ice. At the Beijing Games four years ago, Joseph, then 56, served as an alternate and played a crucial role in Canada’s mixed team securing a second consecutive bronze medal by providing valuable insights on rock behavior and boosting team morale during challenging moments.
Having claimed her first provincial championship in 2009 and her initial Ontario title as a skip in 2016, Joseph made her debut for Canada in 2019, marking the beginning of her journey through four world championship appearances. Reflecting on her experience in China, Joseph acknowledged the challenges of being an alternate, emphasizing the struggle of wanting to actively contribute to the team’s success.
In preparation for the upcoming Paralympics in Italy from March 6 to 15, Joseph has been designated as Canada’s starting lead, alongside skip Mark Ideson, second Ina Forrest, third Jon Thurston, and alternate Gilbert Dash. This shift to a starting role has instilled in Joseph a sense of comfort, knowing that any errors she makes can be rectified with subsequent opportunities.
Head coach Mick Lizmore highlighted the significance of these Games for Joseph and Thurston, who will be experiencing the event with their families and friends after the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic. Thurston’s skill was evident in the 2022 bronze-medal match as he executed a crucial takeout to secure victory against Slovakia.
With Italy marking his fourth Paralympics and third consecutive appearance as skip, Ideson, who will turn 50 shortly after the event, expressed admiration for Forrest, a five-time Paralympian with gold and bronze medals to her name. Forrest’s leadership qualities and professionalism have been pivotal in elevating the team’s performance and camaraderie.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Games, Forrest aims to create a more fulfilling experience compared to her last Paralympics in Beijing, where the absence of her family detracted from the overall event. Dash, a key contributor from Kipling, Sask., has demonstrated his prowess with multiple medals in recent competitions.
The Canadian team, comprising a mix of seasoned talent and a closely bonded group, is focused on continuous improvement and achieving peak performance levels. The squad’s rigorous training regimen and commitment to enhancing communication and coordination bode well for their prospects at the Milan-Cortina tournament, where they will kick off their campaign against Italy on March 7.