Dunstone enters Olympic trials full of confidence, uncertainty

Matt Dunstone isn’t mincing words as he approaches one of the biggest curling events of his life.

“We’re feeling as good as anything heading into this event,” Dunstone said Thursday. “It’s no secret to us that we have exactly what it takes to win these events.”

The lone Saskatchewan-based skip at the 2021 Olympic curling trials taking over SaskTel Centre for the next nine days isn’t arrogant about it. He’s confident. He likes his chances.

“There’s absolutely no doubt in our minds that we can go this week and not only win the field but dominate the field if we bring our ‘A’ game,” Dunstone said.

With a stacked field featuring some of the best curlers in the country, Dunstone knows it won’t be easy, but there’s an opportunity for him to shine once again.

Dunstone’s rink finished with 3-2 and 1-3 records in the two events leading up to the trials.

“You gotta be sharp right away. You definitely don’t see any free spaces on the bingo card in an event like this,” Dunstone said.

Dunstone has yet to make a Brier final after settling for back to back bronze-medal finishes in 2020 and 2021 following some narrowly missed shots in the semifinal games.

“It’s going to be super high intensity. This is the exact reason why we put in the work — just to give ourselves the opportunity,” he said.

The team featuring second Kirk Muyres and lead Dustin Kidby were dealt a major blow in the final hours before Friday’s initial practice.

It was announced late Thursday afternoon that third Braeden Moskowy “is unable to compete at this time, due to personal reasons.”

We have had to make an unexpected change to our line-up as Braeden is unable to compete at this time, due to personal reasons.

We are grateful to have Colton Lott join our team as our third for the week & look forward to the next nine days of competition at the Trials! pic.twitter.com/uzk3T6tNEW

— Team Dunstone (@TeamMDunstone) November 18, 2021

Enter former Dunstone teammate Colton Lott, who won Canadian junior titles with Dunstone in 2013 and 2016.

Given the last-minute addition, Lott was seen practicing on Friday wearing Muyres’ extra jersey.

Even with that level of uncertainty popping up on the final day of preparation, Dunstone has something other teams don’t: the home crowd.

“We’re super excited to be playing in front of our fans again at a huge arena. You bust your butt for four years to get to this moment. We’re extremely proud and extremely excited. It’s awesome we get to share this moment in front of our friends and family,” he said.

Having played each of these teams many times in the past, Dunstone still likes how stacks up against Brier champions and other teams boasting plenty of Olympic experience.

And he’s not denying himself of thinking about those Olympic dreams.

“You know what’s at the end of the road. You think about it all the time. What it would actually be like to put on the red and white and head off to Beijing,” he said. “Everyone knows what we’re playing for.”

Team Dunstone’s first game is against Team McEwen at 7 p.m. Saturday.