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Curling at Memorial Gardens is not a new experience for Kaitlyn Lawes but this year's Pinty's Grand Slam of Curling Boost National 2022, which runs until October 9 in North Bay, is a little different.
In her previous two visits — including the run to gold at the world championships in 2018 — she played third for Team Jennifer Jones. This year she's skipping her own rink.
Lawes says it's great to be back in North Bay.
"It's one of my favourite places to curl. The 2018 championships were phenomenal. The crowds, the energy in the arena. It was the best event I've ever played in. It's the warm fuzzy feeling you get when you come back here."
See related: 2018 Worlds finalist Hasselborg has fond memories of North Bay
See also: Jennifer Jones shares her love for North Bay — again
Lawes says she's thrilled to be playing in the Pinty's Grand Slam series.
"I'm just having so much fun getting to know my new teammates and we're gelling already and this is only our fourth event. I'm having a lot of fun skipping. It's a new challenge for me even though it's been a while since I have skipped. I'm enjoying it so far."
She says her main goal is to work on the team dynamic.
"We need to figure out what makes this team work. Obviously, we would like to have success but it's a four-year plan with the Olympics as the ultimate goal. We'll see what happens but right now it's the team dynamic."
See: Kevin Martin says finding chemistry is key for Pinty's rinks
Lawes says having all these new teams is great for the sport.
"This is the biggest changeover in some time. It's fun for fans as they try to figure out where their favourite players are and create new favourite teams. There's going to be new event winners and not the same team over and over again."
