Thunder Bay native Krista Scharf is set to lead Team Despins as skip for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Following the disbandment of her previous team in March, which had a successful decade-long run culminating in multiple appearances at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Scharf decided to return to competitive curling with Team Despins.
Expressing her excitement in an interview with CBC News, Scharf mentioned that she had been yearning to return to the sport after initially planning to focus on coaching her children. The opportunity to join Team Despins arose when they reached out to her due to a vacancy caused by Nicole Westlund-Stewart’s ongoing recovery from a back injury sustained in January.
Embracing the chance to engage in competitive play while maintaining flexibility in her personal life, Scharf acknowledged the challenge of adapting to a new team dynamic but emphasized her eagerness to contribute her experience to the group. With a lineup that includes Abby Deschene as the newest addition, the team aims to secure a spot at the 2027 Scotties and compete for the Northern Ontario championship.
Recognizing the importance of rigorous practice leading up to the competitions, Scharf highlighted the team’s commitment to honing their skills despite the limited time available before the season begins in January. Alongside Scharf, the team comprises Robyn Despins at third, Abby Deschene at second, Rebecca Carr at lead, and Nicole Westlund-Stewart as the team’s fifth player.