Vachon aims to settle in at lead with Team Clark-Rouire
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/04/2020 (2194 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Janelle Vachon will quite literally have to brush up on her sweeping as she is making the switch to the lead position for Jennifer Clark-Rouire.
Vachon has been through a revolving door of teams in the last few years, and is aiming to settle in and have success with Clark-Rouire’s team.
In a move announced last week, the Brandon Curling Club-based Vachon joined Canada’s 42nd-ranked women’s team out of Miami, after Clark-Rouire finished 1-4 at the Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Rivers to close a shortened season.
Vachon played second with Briane Meilleur, who won this year’s Canadian national championship at lead with Kerri Einarson, then she skipped two teams before her move back to the front end. Clark-Rouire was actually the alternate on Einarson’s team that won nationals in Moose Jaw, Sask.
Vachon’s first-year team earned a berth at the Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Rivers, only managing to win one game. Following this season, the team was looking for a replacement after a member left.
“We were looking for someone who would have the same goals in mind,” Vachon said in a phone interview Wednesday. “Unfortunately the competitive players around the Westman area are pretty few and far between right now.”
“Especially with a lot of women our age starting families and stuff, it gets harder and harder to find a team that can commit to the time that we wanted to put in,” Vachon added.
Finding a committed team has been a struggle for Vachon, playing on three teams in three years.
“That’s just the constant challenge of finding four people that have the same goals in mind,” she said. “I am excited about this new opportunity. The other three have been together for quite a few years now so hopefully it will be more of a permanent position.”
Vachon’s team decided it would be best to head their separate ways. That’s when Clark-Rouire got in touch with Vachon.
“I decided that it might be my chance to get on a team that was able to commit that time,” Vachon said.
Clark-Rouire said her and Vachon chat every year at various tournaments and has gotten to know her through chatting in the house as skips. Clark-Rouire apprecaites her demeanour on the ice.
“Luckily it all worked out and I pretty much jumped for joy behind the secenes when she told me,” Clark-Rouire said with a laugh. “I was so excited. I was a like a little girl on Christmas.”
Vachon has never played lead before, and is excited about the challenge of being the first stone-thrower. Vachon said she will also have to get used to sweeping a bit more.
“Taking that opportunity to work on my finesse game with this new position and improve my sweeping,” she said. “It should be a fun challenge.”
Clark-Rouire knew Vachon mostly as a front-end player from her days as a second and certainly knows her ability to sweep but acknowledges her ability to be able to call a game.
Having played as the shot-caller, Vachon knows the value of a good lead. She said the key to the position is consistency.
“The lead is super important at setting up the end,” Vachon said. “If you’re trying to set up that guard and you slip in the rings it completely changes the game plan right then and there.”
Vachon is most excited about joining a consistent team she can play on for longer than a year.
Of course, making it to provincials is a big goal. But Vachon has been on that stage before, she doesn’t want to just qualify, but excel.
“Performing well at provincials,” she said. “Being in the top four is definitely a big goal there.”
Clark-Rouire said the team has not yet met in person due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, but will have a video conference soon with second Jolene Callum and third Lisa McLeod. Clark-Rouire mentioned that goals for next season are going to be talked about when bringing a new player on, just to make sure all parties involved are on the same page.
The focus next season will be playing Manitoba bonspiels to build up CTRS points and “hopefully” reach a slam series, Clark-Rouire said.
“The number one goal is to make provincials,” she said. “Once you’re there, then who knows.
» rstelter@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @steltsy94