Sandra Schmirler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sandra Marie Schmirler |
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Schmirler at the 1998 Winter Olympics
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| Other names | Sandra Peterson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | June 11, 1963 Biggar, Saskatchewan, Canada
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| Died | March 2, 2000 (aged 36) Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
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| Career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hearts appearances | 7 (1987, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Championship appearances |
3 (1993, 1994, 1997) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympic appearances |
1 (1998) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Sandra Marie Schmirler (June 11, 1963 – March 2, 2000) was a famous Canadian curler. She won three Canadian Curling Championships and three World Curling Championships. Sandra also led her Canadian team to a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics. This was the first time women's curling was an Olympic medal sport.
Sandra was also known as "Schmirler the Curler". She sometimes worked as a sports commentator for CBC Sports. She passed away in 2000 at the age of 36 due to cancer. Her legacy, or lasting impact, went far beyond the sport of curling. She was honored after her death by being inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. She also received the World Curling Freytag Award, which led to her induction into the World Curling Federation Hall of Fame.
In 2019, a poll by TSN named Sandra Schmirler the second greatest Canadian female curler ever. Her Olympic team, which included Jan Betker, Joan McCusker, and Marcia Gudereit, was named the greatest female Canadian curling team of all time in the same poll.
Contents
Sandra's Amazing Curling Career
Starting Out in Curling
Sandra Schmirler began curling in Grade 7 at Biggar Composite School in Biggar, Saskatchewan. She was a natural athlete who also played volleyball, badminton, and softball. She was also a very good speed swimmer.
By Grade 9, she was playing in the ladies' league at the Biggar Curling Club. In Grade 12, playing as a "third" on her high school team, she won a provincial championship. Her team didn't lose a single game that season!
Moving to Regina and New Teams
After high school, Sandra continued curling while attending the University of Saskatchewan. In 1983, she first played in Saskatchewan's provincial playdowns. She then moved to Regina for a job. There, a supervisor gave her the nickname "Schmirler the Curler."
Sandra joined the Carol Davis team, playing "third." In their first year, they reached the 1984 provincial finals but lost. In 1987, Sandra won her first provincial championship with Kathy Fahlman's team. This sent her to her first national championship, where her team finished fourth.
Forming a Champion Team
Before the 1988–89 season, Sandra and Jan Betker decided to form their own team. For the 1990–91 season, Sandra became the "skip" (team captain). Jan Betker played "third," Joan Inglis (McCusker) played "second," and Marcia Gudereit played "lead."
This new team won the provincial title in their first year. In 1993, they won the provincial title again and then the national championship. This was Saskatchewan's first national women's curling championship since 1980.
Winning World Championships
After winning the national title, Sandra's team went on to the World Championship. They defeated Germany in the final, winning Canada its sixth world women's title.
The next year, as defending champions, they won a second straight Canadian championship. Then, they won their second world championship! At that time, no other Canadian women's team had won two world championships in a row.
In 1995, they tried for a third straight national title but finished third. In 1997, Sandra's team won their third Canadian championship. They then went to the World Championships and won their third world title! After each of these three amazing seasons, her team was named "Team of the Year" by Sask Sport.
Olympic Gold Medalists
In 1998, curling became a medal sport at the Winter Olympics for the first time. In November 1997, Olympic trials were held to pick Canada's team. Sandra's team finished first and defeated Shannon Kleibrink in the final. Sandra made a very difficult shot to win the game and secure their spot in the Olympics.
The 1998 Winter Olympics were held in Nagano, Japan. Sandra's team was a favorite to win gold. They finished first in the round robin. In the semifinal, they played Great Britain. The game was tied and went to an extra end, where Sandra made a perfect shot to win. In the final against Denmark, Sandra's team won the gold medal for Canada! After this win, Sandra was featured on the front page of The New York Times.
After the Olympics, Sandra's team was named 'Team of the Year' by the Canadian Press. They were also inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 1999.
Sandra's Life Outside Curling
Family and Education
Sandra Schmirler was born on June 11, 1963, to Shirley and Art Schmirler. She had two older sisters, Carol and Beverley. She was born with a club foot and had to wear a cast for two months as a baby.
She studied at the University of Saskatchewan, first in computer science, then changing to physical education. She earned her degree in 1985.
In 1993, Sandra met Shannon England through her teammate Marcia Gudereit. They got married on June 22, 1996. In 1997, their first daughter, Sara Marion, was born. In April 1999, Sandra's father, Art Schmirler, passed away. On June 30, 1999, Sandra and Shannon welcomed their second daughter, Jenna Shirley.
Facing Illness with Courage
After Jenna's birth, Sandra began to have health problems. Doctors found a cancerous growth behind her heart. She called it "the cancer from Mars" because they couldn't figure out where it started. She bravely underwent surgery and treatments like chemotherapy.
In 2000, Sandra worked as a commentator for CBC during Canada's national junior curling championships. She spoke publicly about her illness for the first time, sharing her hopes for the future. She said her goals were to care for her family, take a warm vacation, and be there that day.
Sadly, her health worsened. She was moved to palliative care, which focuses on comfort. Sandra Schmirler passed away in her sleep on March 2, 2000, at the age of 36.
Her death deeply affected people across Canada. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien spoke about her bright personality and incredible spirit. Flags in Saskatchewan were lowered to half-staff. Her funeral was even broadcast live on two Canadian TV networks, a first for a Canadian athlete. Curling games were delayed so curlers and fans could watch.
Awards and Special Tributes
Sandra Schmirler received many honors for her achievements and character. In 2000, she was the first person to be given the Saskatchewan Order of Merit after their death. She and her team also received an honorary degree from the University of Regina.
In the fall of 2000, Sandra was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Her team was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame twice: once for their World Curling Championships and again for their Olympic gold medal. At the annual Scotties Tournament of Hearts, a special award, the Sandra Schmirler Most Valuable Player Award, is given to the best player in the playoffs.
The city of Regina honored Sandra by renaming the South East Leisure Centre, where she used to work, to the "Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre." The road leading to the Callie Curling Club, her home club, was renamed "Sandra Schmirler Way." Her hometown of Biggar also built "The Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park" in her memory.
The Sandra Schmirler Foundation was created in May 2001 by her friends and teammates. This foundation helps babies who are born too early, too small, or too sick. It raises money to buy life-saving equipment for hospital NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units) across Canada. Sandra's legacy continues to save lives.
In 2009, Sandra was awarded the World Curling Freytag Award, which is now part of the WCF Hall of Fame. This award honors curlers for their championship play, sportsmanship, and amazing achievements. Her husband and daughters accepted the award for her.
Images for kids
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Schmirler at the 1998 Winter Olympics
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Schmirler's in-off for three to win the 1997 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials against Shannon Kleibrink is one of her most famous shots, both in terms of degree of difficulty and for the fact that it sent her team to the 1998 Winter Olympics.
See also
In Spanish: Sandra Schmirler para niños
