The North Battleford-based team of Robyn Silvernagle wrapped up what was a breakout curling season over the weekend at the final Grand Slam of Curling event on the calendar.
The Silvernagle team competed at the Champions Cup in Saskatoon and recorded another playoff finish in front of their exuberant fans, who wore purple and rang cowbells in support for the team.
Silvernagle finished 3-1 during the round robin, defeating Elena Stern 6-2, losing to Team Flaxey (skipped by Laura Walker) 11-4, winning over Team Hasselborg (skipped by Eve Muirhead) 8-6 and winning over Jennifer Jones 9-2.
In the quarter-finals, world champion Silvana Tirinzoni scored one in the final end to sink Silvernagle 4-3.
Tirinzoni went on to win the Champions Cup title, defeating Kerri Einarson 6-3 on Sunday.
The men’s winner was Brendan Bottcher over the Canadian champion Kevin Koe in an extra end 6-5. The Bottcher team has won three straight Pinty’s Grand Slam events, including in North Battleford in January.
For the Silvernagle team, which includes third Stefanie Lawton, second Jessie Hunkin and lead Kara Thevenot, it brings an end to a season that saw the team win their first provincial women’s title and compete regularly against the top teams in the world. The team finished third at the national Scotties in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and they reached the semifinals of the Player’s Championship in Toronto.
Despite all her own personal milestones this season, Robyn Silvernagle might not be able claim the best curling season in her family this year.
That honour belongs to her mom Anita Silvernagle, who captured a World Senior Curling Championship as lead with the team of Sherry Anderson. They defeated Denmark to claim their second straight world title over the weekend.
