By Curtis Galbraith

Curling

Grande Prairie curling coach back after third trip to Olympics

Feb 27, 2022 | 7:00 AM

A Grande Prairie curling coach says COVID times made her third trip to the Olympics much different than the first two.

Renee Sonnenberg provided analytics and scouting reports prior to the games then worked with the Canadian women’s team in analyzing opponents, among other duties.

She describes the preparation this time around as “quite stressful.”

“Fourteen days out, if you got COVID, you weren’t going. I packed a couple days early, I flied there (and) I was in isolation for two weeks.”

She adds there were lots of nerves just getting to Beijing.

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“Just the uncertainty, until you’re cleared when you land, not knowing, if you get COVID you are in isolation in China. There was a lot of uncertainty early.”

Sonnenberg says she felt safe once she was inside the Olympic bubble. She adds it was “a little bit disappointing” to not get a chance to explore the host country.

Sonnenberg mentioned the Olympic experience is hard to describe.

“Being part of a larger Team Canada is so exciting. Cheering on the speed skaters and the hockey teams and the skiers. That whole feeling of you know what, we’re a nation and we’re proud of each other, we’re rooting for each other.”

Sonnenberg says getting to face the best in the world is also, in her words, “incredible.”

Sonnenberg worked with the women’s team at the Games. She says they were disappointed they did not get to play for a medal.

“They were concerned they had let their families and Canada down (but) their performance was really close. It came down to the draw to the button at the end, but if (had beaten) China, we’re fire. They have a couple little regrets for that game themselves.”

Sonnenberg says at the same time, the Jennifer Jones team was grateful for the experience and for “what was sent their way.”

She adds there were eight teams in the women’s field that could have landed on the podium. Great Britain, Japan, and Sweden ended up as the gold, silver, and bronze medalists.

Sonnenberg also got a chance to meet up with men’s team lead and Beaverlodge product Geoff Walker

“We took a picture together in front of the rings kind of as two Peace Country kids, right?”

“I coached him when he was a junior in Grande Prairie, so I’m super-proud of what he has been able to accomplish. He played phenomenally but his contribution to Team Gushue is more than just throwing lead rocks,” she added.

“He’s a great team player. He’s very calm. I couldn’t be more proud of how they bounced back after that tough loss in the semi.”

Canada lost the semi-final to Sweden, the eventual gold medalists, before beating the US in the bronze medal game.

Once she arrived back in Alberta, Sonnenberg headed to Cochrane to coach son Cortland’s team at U20 provincials, saying she was lucky to be there to support the boys.

She adds that there is a good chance would go to another Olympics as an analytics lead and video coach.