Kleibrink eyeing top spot on podium

No other female competitor can match Shannon Kleibrink’s record in the Canadian Curling Trials where she has won a gold medal and a pair of silvers in three previous appearances at the Olympic-qualifying event. But a trip to this year’s Trials will be contingent on the Calgary curler’s success at the 2013 Capital One Road to the Roar, presented by Monsanto, Nov. 5-10 in the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. Kleibrink will skip one of the 12 teams competing for the final two women’s spots in the 2013 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings, presented by Monsanto, Dec. 1-8 in Winnipeg. A dozen men’s teams will also be battling for the two remaining berths in the Trials. At the 2005 Roar of the Rings in Halifax, Kleibrink scored three in the 10th end to beat Kelly Scott by a single point in the championship final. Representing Canada at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy, she lost in the semifinals to Mirjam Ott of Switzerland and rebounded to defeat Norway’s Dordi Nordby in the bronze medal match. “Once you’ve been there, it just makes you want to get back,” said Kleibrink, in reference to the Olympics. “I’m the only one on the team that has been there… and I’d really like to get back, not just for myself, but so the other girls can share that experience.” Kleibrink said the team, including Bronwen Webster, Kalynn Park and Chelsey Matson, hasn’t gotten off to a particularly strong start to the season. “It hasn’t been the best year so far. But we’re finding the competition is a lot tougher this year. All the teams that are qualified for the Pre-Trials and Trials are competing almost every week – as well as a lot of the great international teams that are preparing for the Olympics. “But it all comes down to peaking at the right time, and hopefully for us that happens in Kitchener.” “You Gotta Be There” for the 2013 Capital One Road to the Roar in the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. Get your tickets today just by clicking here.