With no NWT WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Curling Championship to determine who will represent the territory at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, Ont., how is it determined who goes?

That question was answered Tuesday as NWT Curling announced that Team Galusha, consisting of Kerry Galusha, Jo-Ann Rizzo, Margot Flemming, Sarah Koltun and coach Shona Barbour, has been nominated as the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 representatives for the Canadian womenSA国际影视传媒檚 curling championship.

And theySA国际影视传媒檝e accepted it, which Galusha confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone was on board,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e excited to represent the NWT again.SA国际影视传媒�

When it comes to the cancellation, Nick Saturnino, NWT CurlingSA国际影视传媒檚 president, said on Tuesday afternoon that the organizationSA国际影视传媒檚 policy states if a competition to determine the NWT representatives for national events canSA国际影视传媒檛 be held, the previous yearSA国际影视传媒檚 champions will first be offered the spot.

SA国际影视传媒淲e do not have enough time to reschedule the event, so Team Galusha has been offered the spot,SA国际影视传媒� Saturnino said.

The NWT qualifier was set to be held in Inuvik with Galusha taking part in the opening game on Wednesday evening. NWT Curling announced on Monday afternoon that there would be no qualifier due to the new Covid-19 regulations issued by the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer earlier that day.

Tournament organizers had already implemented a number of safety precautions to protect athletes and residents, including not allowing spectators in-person for the event and instead planning to broadcast the games online. Opening ceremonies were also planned to be showcased digitally.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 unfortunate because we would have liked to win our way to the Scotties,SA国际影视传媒� said Galusha. SA国际影视传媒淏ut with the (Covid) outbreak, we werenSA国际影视传媒檛 feeling comfortable being the only team travelling to play and we could have been exposed (to the virus).SA国际影视传媒�

The cancellation follows those out of Ontario, where both the northern and southern qualifiers were cancelled within days of each other. Prince Edward Island also called off its qualifier. The qualifiers for Yukon, Alberta and B.C. are taking place this week while Manitoba and Nova Scotia have already held theirs. NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 rink was named last month while Newfoundland and Labrador named its rink on Jan. 3. The province didnSA国际影视传媒檛 host a qualifier because of concerns around Covid-19.

As for the main event itself in Thunder Bay, Ont. later this month, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 still on schedule, according to Kyle Jahns, Curling CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 manager of communications and media relations.

SA国际影视传媒淎t the moment, weSA国际影视传媒檙e continuing to consult with local, regional and national health authorities and are discussing numerous options to find a way to have the Scotties in Thunder Bay in a safe and secure environment,SA国际影视传媒� he stated on Wednesday.

With the NWT spot confirmed in the national championship, the concern now turns to how to prepare. Like every other user group in the city, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 no ice time available to practice at the Yellowknife Curling Centre as the city ordered some facilities shut until at least Jan. 21.

Galusha said the ladies were able to get in a couple of hours on the ice on Monday before the shutdown took effect but thereSA国际影视传媒檚 no guarantees once the order is lifted.

SA国际影视传媒淚t could be extended,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e just doing our best to stay healthy and prepare as best as we can. All of the other teams are in the same boat we are SA国际影视传媒� theySA国际影视传媒檙e doing whatever they can.SA国际影视传媒�

To help with the preparation, Barbour has put together a three-week plan with on-ice and off-ice scenarios with Covid-19 protocols built in.

SA国际影视传媒淭he off-ice plan is to go to the Fieldhouse or to a gym to get in some low-impact workouts,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e also making some sacrifices, such as not going out to dinner with friends if weSA国际影视传媒檙e invited. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e avoiding situations like that.SA国际影视传媒�

In the final week leading up to the Tournament of Hearts, Barbour said Curling Canada is asking teams to self-isolate before heading out.

SA国际影视传媒淔our days of soft isolation and three days of hard isolation,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he last three days before we leave is the hard portion.SA国际影视传媒�

The goal for the team this year? The championship round SA国际影视传媒� same as itSA国际影视传媒檚 been for a while.

SA国际影视传媒淭he difference last year was we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 play any spiels,SA国际影视传媒� said Galusha. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e put in a lot of work this year and weSA国际影视传媒檙e prepared. We have a new line-up (player order) and we want to peak again at the Scotties.SA国际影视传媒�

-with files from Eric Bowling