At the Women in Curling Summits, connection is as powerful as competition

At the Women in Curling Summits, Connection is as Powerful as Competition

By Jolene Latimer

Arrival and Anticipation

Linda Bolton stood at the arrival gate of Kelowna International Airport, eagerly watching every face that emerged from the sliding doors. Her friend and curling colleague nudged her, reminding her to relax. Bolton laughed, knowing she was acting like an excited fan. The reigning world curling champion, Rachel Homan, had just arrived in the Okanagan to attend the British Columbia Women in Curling Summit in Kamloops, an event Bolton had worked on for months.

“When I picked up Rachel from the airport and I saw her walking toward us, that was the time when I knew the hard work was going to be worth it,” Bolton said. “I was thinking: We’re actually having Rachel Homan at our club. What a treat that will be for all the people.”

Journey to Kamloops

The two-hour drive back to Kamloops was filled with conversation about family, curling preparation, and balancing both aspects of life.

“She talked a lot about her family and how devoted they are to backing her,” Bolton shared. “It was really cool.”

Preparing for the Summit

Bolton dedicated months to preparing for the Women in Curling Summit in Kamloops, a part of Curling Canada’s national initiative focused on advancing women's leadership and participation in the sport.

Author’s summary: The Women in Curling Summit highlights the powerful connection between athletes, emphasizing family support and leadership as key elements beyond competition.

Curling Canada — 2025-11-06