Thunder Bay native Krista Scharf, a prominent curler, has announced that she will be leading Team Despins as skip for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Scharf’s previous team dissolved in March after a successful decade of competition, including multiple appearances at the prestigious Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The decision to disband was primarily driven by the team members’ desire to focus on their families, with a possibility of returning to curling in the future.
Having represented both Ontario and Northern Ontario in the Scotties Tournament on twelve occasions, earning two silver and two bronze medals, Scharf expressed her excitement at reuniting with the sport after a break. Team Despins approached Scharf a few weeks ago to fill a vacant position due to Nicole Westlund-Stewart’s ongoing recovery from a back injury sustained in January.
Scharf is eager to bring her expertise to the team while maintaining a balance between competitive play and personal commitments. Joining forces with local talents, she acknowledged the team’s growth and camaraderie, emphasizing the thrill of collaborating with a new group and gaining fresh insights into the sport of curling.
The team’s primary focus for the upcoming season is to contend for the Northern Ontario championship and secure a spot at the 2027 Scotties Tournament. With the addition of Abby Deschene to the roster alongside Robyn Despins, Rebecca Carr, and Nicole Westlund-Stewart, Team Despins aims to dedicate significant practice time to achieve their competitive goals, despite limited practice opportunities before the January competition.
Scharf highlighted the importance of rigorous preparation and her commitment to supporting her teammates in their pursuit of success. As the team gears up for the season, Scharf’s return to the ice signifies a new chapter of collaboration and determination in pursuit of curling excellence.