Skip Nancy Martin could barely hold back tears as her team pulled off the win at the 2025 Viterra Prairie Pinnacle, women's provincial curling championship in Kindersley.
Photo via CURLSASK on Facebook
A four-time runner up as skip, Martin won 9-7 against Regina's Jolene Campbell's to take home the Pinnacle crown. Fittingly enough, Martin's 2025 group will be the first team to etch their name into the Prairie Pinnacle trophy following the inaugural edition of the rebranded event.
In the post-tournament presser, Martin talked about finally being able to earn the right to skip Team Saskatchewan at the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
"It means everything... Put everything into it this year." said Martin who recalled all the practice, long road trips, and of course competition that led them to this point.
The team earned their way into the Pinnacle through an auto-qualifier, as Martin talked about the fact, they could have been out of the competition completely.
"Almost didn't get here because we weren't going to be able to play last chance because Kadriana and I were at Olympic trials. It was unbelievable that they worked so hard to get us here in the first place." said Martin as the team got on a roll and played incredible all week long.
Martin throwing skip stones in Sunday's final (Photo by Jenny Hagan)
The final game between the top two teams all week came down to the wire.
Martin had a 4-0 lead through four ends, before a three-spot from Campbell got them right back in the game. Martin would pull away again to go up 7-4 but gave up three in the ninth end to set up 7-7 tie into the final end. As anticipation ramped up Team Martin managed to get two in the house, and didn't even need to throw their final stone as celebration ensued following the final throw from Team Campbell.
Campbell had beat Martin in their previous two meetings during the week, but as the old sports adage goes, it's tough to beat a team three times.
"They pretty much owned us the first two times... said this time we gotta go for it... put some guards in play and make them shoot."
Martin is aware that Campbell took advantage of a missed shot in the ninth to collect three and tie the game, and credited her team for not letting the late game situation affect them.
"I tried to give the game away at least two times, but the girls stuck with me and made some unbelievable shots in that tenth end." said Martin who was still somewhat in disbelief with the result.
Nancy Martin, Chaelynn Kitz, Kadriana Lott, Deanna Doig, Colleen Ackerman (Photo by Jenny Hagan)
Third Chaelynn Kitz has been with Martin the longest out of anyone in the 2025 group. Obviously thrilled with the result herself, Kitz knows how much the win meant for Nancy.
"Really wanted to win this one for Nancy. I know she has been trying hard... nobody loves curling more than Nancy Martin." said Kitz with her team agreeing wholeheartedly in the background. "Just to take it to that next step, get her to that next level; when I saw the rock stopped... I was super proud and just excited for her."
Back to a tearful Martin, she talked about what this win truly means.
"To do it with these girls was unbelievable." said Martin. "I honestly just can't believe we are here, but we worked really hard to get here."
The national stage now awaits the newest members of Team Saskatchewan. Nancy Martin and her crew know they will need to bring their best to Ontario next month for the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts running February 14-23, 2025, from Thunder Bay.