Thunder Bay, Ontario’s Krista Scharf, a curler with an impressive track record, has been selected as skip for Team Despins for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Scharf’s former team dissolved in March after a successful ten-year run, which included multiple appearances at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The decision to disband was primarily driven by the team members’ desire to focus on their families, although they hinted at potential future involvement in curling.
After representing both Ontario and Northern Ontario at the Scotties on 12 occasions and securing two silver and two bronze medals, Scharf expressed her excitement about returning to competitive play with Team Despins. Recounting her surprise at the invitation, she shared in an interview with CBC News that she had originally planned to coach her children but is now eager for this new chapter.
The opportunity to join Team Despins arose when they approached Scharf a few weeks back, seeking an additional player due to Nicole Westlund-Stewart’s ongoing recovery from a back injury sustained in January. Scharf embraced the chance to balance competitive play with her lifestyle and travel commitments.
Acknowledging the adjustment of transitioning to a new team, Scharf emphasized her intention to leverage her experience to support her teammates. She expressed enthusiasm for gaining fresh perspectives on curling strategies and techniques both on and off the ice.
Team Despins, with a newly added player, Abby Deschene, aims to compete for the Northern Ontario championship and secure a spot at the 2027 Scotties. Scharf emphasized the importance of rigorous practice to achieve these ambitious goals, highlighting the team’s dedication to honing their skills ahead of the upcoming season.
In preparation for the competition in January, Scharf plans to intensively practice with her teammates, recognizing the limited timeframe before the ice is available in October. With Robyn Despins at third, Deschene at second, Rebecca Carr at lead, and Westlund-Stewart as the team’s fifth player, the lineup is set for an exciting and challenging season ahead.
