Carter Rycroft has come home from the World Men’s Curling Championships disappointed for the second year in a row.
After failing to medalĀ in 2014, the Grande Prairie-born curler said it was gold or nothing for 2015.
“Maybe if it’s the Olympics it’s a different feeling, but you kind of want the gold, especially after last year, and since we’ve done it before and know how to do it. To not get it done again this year kind of stings.”
His rink, skipped by Pat Simmons, ended up with the bronze, after a couple of crucial losses in Halifax.
Despite falling short, Rycroft says it was a special feeling to be the host team for an international tournament for the first time in his career.
“For our families and for us, it was a really neat experience. They got behind us fantastically in Halifax; the whole town was. No matter where you went they had colours out, advertising out, and they just treated us very, very well.”
He addsĀ the support from friends, family, and fans from across the nation was overwhelming, along with those who traveled to Halifax.
It’s too early to say what’s next for Rycroft.
HeĀ knows he wants to play in some capacity next season, but it will depend on how the rest of his team feels.
“If more than two want to get a whole thing going where they’re playing a whole 15 events, well then that might make my mind up for me. If they’re looking at a reasonable schedule, without overdoing, well then that might be something I’m interested in.”
As shown with the rink’s success playing together for the first time at the Brier, a lot can be accomplished without playing a lot.
However, Rycroft notes that it doesn’t make as much sense financially.