World Deaf Curling Championships - Sochi, Russia - March 2017

Here is a "commentary" from various people along with pictures of awards, events etc I thought I'd put into scrapbook collages.

Team Comte:  “We won the gold! Undefeated world champions!  Thank you everyone for watching us play and supporting us!  It was quite a journey to get there!  We had a lot of fun playing against 9 other countries. It was a challenge learning how to communicate in different sign languages.  Ava was a huge help with interpreting using universal sigh language.  Thank you Ava!  Thank you Canada for standing behind us and supporting us the whole time!  We are taking one day off to relax.  Do a little touring of Sochi before we fly back to Canada early tomorrow morning.  We will arrive at Winnipeg at 11:20pm tomorrow night (Tuesday night).  Hope to see you there.”

Asham:  “Congratulations to Team Canada on earning a Gold and Bronze medal at the
2017 World Deaf Curling Championships in Sochi, Russia!”

Rose Anne Burdeny:  “Barb Bednarski here's what Sharon Lucovic and Lisa did to John's office and I brought the balloons and sweets from both of us!!!!  I did not share
with Meaghan to keep it a surprise for John!!!  Will show her tonight at the airport. And still awake and soon off to the airport to welcome John G and Team Comte back
home.  I'm still amazed I know someone else besides Thomas Osborn who's been in
International sports competitions!  And what a busy and long day this was for me! BUT not as long as Team Comte had that is for sure.  Yes they'd landed 20 minutes late,
been officially piped down, met by the official delegation and finally by wives,
girlfriends, family and friends.  They looked tired but still talkative.  John G won a
separate trophy for ALL STAR 🌟 SKIP!!!”

Team Comte:  “On behalf of our team WE want to THANK EVERYONE for showing up
last night, and the people who helped us to get to Sochi.  We couldn't do it without you
guys.  We also want to thank Asham curling for working hard to get our Team jackets
in time for our trip.  Thank you to MSDA AND MDCC for helping us.  Once again
THANK YOU.”

Brenda Comte, Manitoba Deaf Sports Association:  “It was quite an emotional moment and sweet homecoming celebration last night when Team Canada arrived home as GOLD CHAMPIONS from Sochi, Russia - World Deaf Curling Championships.  Coach Lorne and Chris Hamblin, along with CDSA Director Rita Bomak and Curling Canada Vice President Resby Coutts were there in presence to show their support, welcomed and congratulated Team Canada home, along with many fans cheered on.  Definitely a
memorable evening to remember by. Thanks to Mandy MacDonald for interpreting.  Thanks to everyone (too many to name) for coming out to support Team Canada.  Let's call for a Golden Celebration Night with Team Canada on Friday March 24, 2017 at Tavern United (Polo Park) at 6:30pm.  Please share!”

Middle picture:  Ava their interpreter using universal sign language for the team.
Middle right picture:  I’m guessing howling in relief and their accomplishments!
Bottom row:  On left is Edmonton ladies Team Canada who won Bronze!  On right are both teams and personnel.

John’s office lightly decorated to welcome him back and those gathered at the airport (for 11:20 pm arrival that was 20
minutes delayed!) to show Team Canada our congratulations and how proud everyone is of them!

OK NOW TO THE RETURN AND CELEBRATIONS – especially of family members who gave their all to have these guys go to these competitions and the preparations ahead of time!  Maybe back to normal soon?

First picture on left:  Piper Helga Towerzery lead them down.  WOW!!!
Second picture:  Official delegation greeting this time around:  Coach Lorne and Chris Hamblin, Rita Bomak of Cdn Deaf Sports
Association, Resby Coutts Vice-President of Curling Canada along with Mandy MacDonald as the interpreter.
Middle picture:  Resby Coutts with Team Comte/Canada’s John Gessner, Shawn Demianyk, Ross LaVallee, Kayle Miller,
Joseph Comte, and Rita Bomak.