(by Jody Jewers)

Saskatchewan looking for first Scotties title since 1997

Is it possible to be flying under the radar at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts with an 8-1 record? 

Amber Holland is eminently qualified to answer that, as her Saskatchewan team is atop the field with one day to go amid much less fanfare than certain others have been getting during the Canadian women’s curling championship this week at the Civic Centre.

 “We can’t control what you media guys are going to put out there,” Holland said with a laugh Wednesday afternoon.

 And she should know something about media spin, since she’s in charge of promoting the game in her home province as executive director of the Saskatchewan Curling Association. 

“We’re just going about our business, doing what we need to do on the ice, and the rest will take care of itself.”

But Holland’s heroines of third Kim (Kiki) Schneider, second Tammy Schneider and lead Heather Kalenchuk out of the Kronau Curling Club have mopped the floor with most of the 12-team field so far.

 Jennifer Jones? Humbled her 9-3 on Sunday.

Birt’s bunch? Beat them badly, too — 10-6 on Sunday.

Rachel Homan’s upstarts? Took them to the woodshed 8-5 on Tuesday.

Cathy O? Uh, no — 8-6 on Saturday afternoon.

Click to read this story in today’s Guardian.

Saskatchewan skip Amber Holland gestures and smiles as she and third Kim Schneider discuss a shot.