(by Jason Malloy)

Suzanne Birt is looking to repeat as P.E.I. Scotties women’s curling champion with a new team this year.

The quest begins today at the Montague Curling Rink where the six-team tournament is being hosted.

© Jason Simmonds/Journal Pioneer

Suzanne Birt

Birt and teammates Shelly Bradley, Michelle McQuaid and Susan McInnis defeated Kathy O’Rourke’s squad 10-4 in last year’s final. It was Birt’s eighth provincial women’s title.

This year, Birt is teaming up with third Robyn Green, second Meaghan Hughes and lead Marie Christianson. Green and Birt won two Canadian and a world championship together as juniors and have played in women’s competitions together.

“Robyn and I played together for years, of course, but it’s the first time the four of us (have played) together,” Birt said Thursday night. “We’ve played a lot this year. It just feels natural and it’s a great group of girls to play with.”

Birt and Kim Dolan’s rink have byes into today’s 3 p.m. draw in the modified triple-knockout championship.

The 10 a.m. draw sees Lisa Jackson playing Sarah Fullerton and Tammy Dewar meeting Bradley. Dewar is from the host club while the other five curl out of the Charlottetown Curling Complex.

“All the teams are strong, so the winner at the end of the weekend is going to have to play well,” Birt said.

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