Jennifer Jones and Team Canada ready for the world

Jennifer Jones will represent Canada for the second time at the World Curling Championships. The first time was in 2005, after winning the Scott Tournament of Hearts in St. John's Newfoundland. That year, however, Jones had a disappointing run at the worlds. They lost to Norway's Dordi Nordby in the 3 vs. 4 page playoff page which eliminated Canada from the tournament. But it's a whole different story this time. This year they'll be playing on home ice in front of a packed Canadian crowd.

Jones herself seems excited. In a phone conversation she said, "To be Team Canada and competing in Canada is really beyond words. I don't think you can explain the opportunity."

Jones earned the right to represent Canada at this year's World Championship in B.C. by winning the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, where their Manitoba rink started off slow. But they pulled things together in time to rattle off eight straight wins and win the championship of Shannon Kleibrink.

The World Championship this year has a great field. Along with Canada, other favorites to win it all are Switzerland's two-time Olympic silver medalist Mirjan Ott, and the United States former world champion Debbie McCormick (who is in fact from Canada).

An surprising absence from the field however is seven-time European Champion, two-time world champion, and 2006 Olympic goal medalist anette Norberg from Sweden. In 2006, Norberg was one of the most powerful women's teams ever, winning the Olympics and the World Championship in the same year. This year, however, Sweden will be represented by a new face; Stina Viktorsson who represented Sweden at the 2003 World Junior championship.

All the action gets underway Saturday, March 22 at the Greater Vernon Multiplex in Vernon, B.C. The championship match will be March 30.

Canadian fans can catch every round-robin game for Team Canada on TSN, starting Saturday. Our American readers can also catch the games live: WCSN is providing free webcasts of the event (USA only) starting March 24th.