At the Women in Curling Summits, Connection Is as Powerful as Competition
By: Jolene Latimer
Linda Bolton waited at the arrival gate of Kelowna International Airport, studying each face stepping through the sliding doors. Her friend and fellow curler nudged her, whispering, “You have to breathe.” Bolton laughed, realizing how eager she must have looked. After all, world curling champion Rachel Homan had just landed in the Okanagan to attend something Bolton had spent months organizing — the British Columbia Women in Curling Summit held in Kamloops this September.
“When I picked up Rachel from the airport and saw her walking toward us, that was the moment I knew the hard work was going to be worth it,” Bolton said. “I was thinking: We’re actually having Rachel Homan at our club. What a treat that will be for everyone.”
The two-hour drive back to Kamloops turned into an engaging conversation about family life, curling preparation, and the challenge of maintaining both. Bolton recalled how deeply Homan spoke about her family’s support and dedication, calling it “really cool.”
Months of planning and coordination had gone into the Women in Curling Summit — a cornerstone of Curling Canada’s national initiative to strengthen women's leadership and participation in the sport.
Author’s Summary
Linda Bolton’s excitement meeting Rachel Homan captured the spirit of the Women in Curling Summit, where connection and shared purpose proved as meaningful as athletic achievement.