British Columbia’s Jeff Guignard and his spirited path to the 2024 Everest Canadian Club Championships

When the pandemic struck in 2020, curling was the last thing on Jeff Guignard’s mind. Now competing in his first national event, the 2024 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships, feels like an impossible dream come true.

As Executive Director of ABLE BC, Guignard focused on championing the liquor industry in British Columbia, helping pubs, bars, and businesses navigate closures and pandemic-related restrictions.

“I was trying to work with businesses and governmental public health officers to have it make more sense. It was exhausting but rewarding when you had a good day. You know what you’re doing is helping save businesses and save people’s jobs,” Guignard said. “It was intense, and I would not go back to that time for a million dollars. But the work that my association did with my colleagues—I’m immensely proud of that.”

Guignard estimates his organization saved thousands of businesses and tens of thousands of jobs in the province. His efforts earned him a spot on Vancouver Magazine’s list of the 50 most powerful people in British Columbia, ranking at #35.

Balancing his demanding career with his passion for curling takes some work. Although his professional responsibilities have grown, his dream of competing on a national stage remained alive thanks to the Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships.

This year, Guignard represents British Columbia at his first national event at the Barrie Curling Club in Ontario. The skills he’s honed in his career translate seamlessly to the ice.

“One thing that is similar is that it’s always a bit of controlled chaos, right? Being able to remain calm in stressful situations is key. At work, millions of dollars of investments could be impacted by decisions the government makes, and if they get it wrong, then there are huge consequences. Same as out here. I might miss a shot, and it shows up on the scoreboard. Then I’ve got three unhappy guys in the locker room with me. But after making that shot today, I’ve got three very happy ones,” Guignard said.

The pivotal shot Guignard referred to—a hack-weight hit-and-roll to score one—secured a 5-4 victory over Saskatchewan’s Team Aaron Shutra of Saskatoon. The win brought smiles to his teammates: vice-skip Chris Faa, second Patrick Prade, and lead Chris Gomes of the Richmond Curling Club.

“It was a total team effort on that shot. Faa in the rings was so confident with that line call. We played basically the same shot a couple of times in the sixth end, so I felt super calm about it, but the boys managed it perfectly. It was a full team shot,” Guignard said.

That win, combined with another smile-inducing last-stone 4-3 victory against Nova Scotia’s Team Travis Stone (Sydney Curling Club) on Tuesday evening, elevates British Columbia to a perfect 3-0 record in Pool B. On the other side of the draw in Pool A, Ontario’s Team Jordan Keon (Richmond Hill Curling Club) also sits at 3-0 after two days of competition.

Team Guignard also benefits from the guidance of their coach, Al Moore, a B.C. native and “legendary” figure in curling. Moore’s coaching resume includes coaching Switzerland to world mixed doubles gold twice and to a gold medal at the 2014 World Women’s Curling Championship in Saint John, N.B.

“He’s giving us the right kind of focus and helping us out on the mental and psychological components we need, just helping the team unlock that next level,” Guignard said.

In women’s action, four teams are tied for first place in Pool A. Quebec’s Team Gabrielle Lavoie (Victoria Curling Club, Quebec City), Newfoundland & Labrador’s Team Susan Curtis (Corner Brook Curling Club), Saskatchewan’s Team Samantha Yachiw-Omelian (Sutherland Curling Club, Saskatoon) and Ontario’s Team Patricia Bandurka (Dixie Curling Club, Mississauga) have all earned 2-1 records after the first full day of competition. In Pool B, Nova Scotia’s Team Michelle Armstrong (Lakeshore Curling Club, Lower Sackville) is the only undefeated women’s team with a 3-0 record.

Action resumes at the 2024 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships on Wednesday with draws at 10 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 7 p.m. (All times ET).

Fourteen men’s teams and 14 women’s teams are competing this week. The fields are divided into two pools of seven teams. After the round robin, the top four teams in each pool will qualify for double-knockout playoffs, beginning Friday, Nov. 22, and concluding with the gold- and bronze-medal games on Sunday, Nov. 24.

Fans can follow the action live with selected games available on Curling Canada’s YouTube channel and TSN+. 

For live scores and standings, visit the scoreboard page.

For team lineups, draw times, and other event details, visit the event website.

This story will be available in French as soon as possible at: https://www.curling.ca/?lang=fr