Rookie curler feels lucky to be playing after crash

Gaetanne Gauthier plays third on Christine Mackay’s Fort Rouge team.

A number of young curlers made their debut at the Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts this week in Beausejour.

Curling among the best in the province is one thing, but 19-year-old rookie Gaetanne Gauthier feels lucky to be taking part in the provincial championship for a much different reason.

Playing third on Christine Mackay’s Fort Rouge team, Gauthier has enjoyed every minute on the ice two years after her life nearly changed in an instant.

"They (RCMP) told me to buy a lottery ticket, because I shouldn't have been able to walk away from the experience, let alone have no scratches on me," said Gauthier.

It was a stormy winter night in February 2014 when Gauthier was involved in a rollover while driving to a curling match in Petersfield.

"Car flipped over, (I) walked away,” said Gauthier.  “I had a scratch on my finger that was it. I was so lucky."

Gaetanne’s mom Cathy Gauthier, the team's coach and a three-time Canadian champion herself, found out about the crash while curling in Brandon.

"The RCMP said that she's lucky to be alive,” said Cathy. “The car… I don't even know how she got out of it. So, her guardian angel was taking care of her that day."

While the outcome could've been much worse, Gaetanne suffered a concussion and dealt with headaches for about a year.

She said the experience has taught her to make the most of every day both on and off the ice.

"It's just a constant reminder of why I'm here and how lucky I am to be here and I've just really taken in every moment now because I'm lucky to be alive."

With one Scotties on her resume, Gauthier is hoping there are many more to come.

With one more year of eligibility, her team's focus next season will be winning junior provincials and earning a berth in the Canadian junior championships.