(By Jason Simmonds)

Suzanne Birt and her teammates are back in familiar surroundings.

The P.E.I. representatives travelled to Thunder Bay, Ont., on Jan. 26 and entered a bubble for the 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts that runs from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6. It is the second year in a row for a bubble format at the Canadian women’s curling championship.

“We were a little surprised last year at a few things (in Calgary),” Birt told SaltWire Network in a phone interview on Jan. 25. “Going back this year, we know what to expect, what to do and how we are going to feel.

“We experienced it, know what’s going on and are more comfortable this time around.”

Birt, third stone Marie Christianson, second stone Meaghan Hughes and lead Michelle McQuaid are Team P.E.I. at the Scotties for the fourth year in a row. This is also their fourth year playing together as a team for the rink that curls out of Cornwall and Montague. Kathy O’Rourke joined the rink as the fifth player last year and took on the coaching responsibilities this year.

Skip Suzanne Birt, left, and third stone Marie Christianson go over strategy at the Canadian Curling Trials Direct Entry event in Ottawa in September. The Birt rink is Team P.E.I. at the 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, Ont., from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6. – Curling Canada • Claudette Bockstael

Again, this year, there will be no fans inside the arena. TSN will televise all draws.

“We are going to miss our families being there watching,” said Birt, who is wearing the P.E.I. uniform at the national Scotties for the 13th time. “They have been a huge support system for us. We are going to have to find ways to keep that going, whether it’s FaceTime, Zoom or something with our families.”

Team Birt’s Round Robin schedule and scores: https://www.curling.ca/scoreboard/#!/competitions/7430/teams/31593

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