Melfort Special Olympics has its bus packed and two curling teams ready for a weekend bonspiel in Regina. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

Special Olympics

Melfort Special Olympics curling team travelling for final tune-up before winter games

Jan 24, 2020 | 5:19 PM

It’s been nearly a year of waiting, but the Melfort Special Olympics men’s curling team will be in Regina for their final bonspiel before the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.

Garnet Gerski, Scot Earl, Rodney Mitchell, Kyle Hartt, the team’s skip Daniel Fiedelleck, along with Head Coach Brian Kjelshus and Assistant Coach Carl Kruger advanced to the 2020 winter games as Team Saskatchewan in February 2019 after winning provincials in Regina.

Kruger said the athletes love these kinds of road trips.

“This is a very good tournament because there are teams out of Manitoba who come, along with Saskatchewan,” Kruger told northeastNOW. “The competition will be quite stiff and it’s a good indication of what they’ll be looking for when they get to the nationals. It’s been a long time and the wait is just about over.”

The men’s team and another Melfort Special Olympics team – competing in a separate fun bonspiel – departed for Regina today and will return late Jan. 26.

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Since they’ve booked their ticket to the winter games, the men’s team have curled twice a week throughout the curling season with a league night on Monday’s and practice on Wednesday. They also hosted their own bonspiel in November.

It’s the first trip to the winter games for Hartt and Gerski, but for the other three curlers – Earl, Fiedelleck, and Mitchell – it’s the third time they’ll represent Saskatchewan on a national stage.

“I think they’re expecting to go for a medal, since they’ve been there before,” Kruger said. “They know they’ve got a chance of doing well and they’re expecting a good turnout to win again.”

The 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games will take place in Thunder Bay, Ont. from Feb. 25 to 29. Even though they’ll have a month before flying East, Kruger said the men’s team will have one last item on their agenda with a puck drop fundraiser. It will take place at the Melfort Mustangs’ home game at Northern Lights Palace on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

“It’ll be a send off for them,” Kruger said. “Hopefully all works out and lots of people can come out, cheer them on, and let them know they’re behind them.”

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow