Pinkney tuning up rink for upcoming world seniors

TRURO - As with everything they do this season, the national senior women's champion foursome of Colleen Pinkney is using this week's Scotties Tournament of Hearts as a tune up for the world senior showdown in April.
But by no means is that the only reason they are at the provincial women's championship tournament that kicks off today at the Bridgewater Curling Club.
"It's not just about fun. We are doing this seriously," Pinkney said. "It's not something we're taking lightly. Our goal is to go and win. I'm not saying we will, but we want to."
The team, which also includes mate Wendy Currie, second Karen Hennigar, lead Susan Creelman, alternate Shelley MacNutt and coach Judy Burgess, joined the Scotties field thanks to a 2-1 record at a qualifier in early December. Pinkney suffered her only loss to Bridgewater's Jill Mouzar, who along with six other teams will round out a field that includes heavy hitters Mary-Anne Arsenault and Nancy McConnery.
Pinkney, who is entering the event as the No. 2 seed behind Mouzar, said the tournament will be a tough one coming down to who can put their game together and have a bit of luck on the side.
"It's an even playing field this year," she said. "Every team goes in prepared but it always seems like one team has everything go their way. We always go in prepared and hope things come out in our favour.
"If everything falls into place our chances are as good as anyone there."
But some say 'you make your own luck.' Curling is a game that requires strong mental focus, which becomes much easier when a player can relax amongst teammates. With such a tight bond of friendship between the Pinkney squad's members, that's always an ace in their pocket.
"That's one of our strongest points and it comes in handy," Pinkney said. "It's easy to get along when you win but I think what makes a good team is being able to get through any situation and deal with adversity."
Pinkney said she feels her rink is one of those teams.
"Definitely we are," she said.
That's one of the biggest reasons why Pinkney feels her team is a contender at the event and one of the reasons why even though they are going into the event looking to win, the team will still have fun.
"We're the type of team that if we don't win, it's only a short while before we're looking forward to the next event," she said. "We're always looking forward to getting better and learning from everything we do."

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