Sandra Schmirler: The Queen of Curling

Janet Money is a writer and policy analyst for the Canadian Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation in Toronto.

Even noncurling fans were saddened when Sandra Schmirler, who skipped
Canada to the gold medal in women’s curling at the Nagano Olympics in
1998, died of cancer early in 2000. It was such a tragic loss—the
young mother of two children, one still a baby; the top-flight athlete,
three times a world champion, who was at the height of her game when she
was taken far too soon.

Perry Lefko had a story begging to be told—the story of how this
tragic heroine reached the pinnacle of her sport, only to be struck down
at the age of 36. Through interviews with teammates, family members, and
Schmirler herself, Lefko traces the journey of Saskatchewan’s biggest
curling star from the small town of Biggar to the world stage. Those who
want to know about her life, or who simply want to read an inspiring
story, will enjoy this book.