Chester junior women's curling team heads to world championship

Skip Mary Fay and her junior women's curling team from Chester have had an incredible year so far — and now they're eyeing a world championship.

The 17-year-old Nova Scotian led her rink to the Canadian Junior Women's Curling title at the end of January.

Now, Fay — along with third Kristin Clarke, second Karlee Burgess, lead Janique LeBlanc and coach Andrew Atherton — are trying to win the World Junior Curling Championship title.

The championship begins in Denmark on Saturday with the Canadian junior women's team scheduled to play Switzerland, followed by Sweden on Sunday.

"It's been a dream," Fay said. "We are trying to enjoy every moment and hold onto these memories forever."

'This year has been unreal'

This event comes on the heels of Fay and Burgess winning gold in the mixed event of the World Youth Olympics in Norway.

"I'm kind of scared," teammate Burgress said earlier this week at a sendoff for the team at the Chester Curling Club.  

"I hope I can top this, but this year has been unreal."

The team's South Shore community posted a sign of support, as well. 

"Great job, team," the sign said. "Go get them at the worlds."

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'We just need to focus'

A gold at the world juniors would only add to the memories, Leblanc said. The team will prepare by sticking to their routine.

"We just need to focus on the small things and take things one step at a time," she said.

That might be a cliche, but it's true, she said. That has been the secret to their success so far — and they won't be changing a thing.

Ten countries will compete at the world championship. Each will play a round robin format until the playoffs next weekend.