Quebec is home to the oldest curling rink on the continent - The Montreal Curling Club (1807) - making Quebec the birthplace of curling in North America. Today, the sport is played by over 15,000 members of the Quebec Curling Association as well as 50,000 occasional curlers who live throughout the province.

Recognition of curling as an international competitive sport has recently added to the influx of young athletes getting involved across the country. And it's teams like Quebec-based Team Berthelot who bring renewed energy and increased competition to Quebec's curling circuit.

Due to their passion for the game, Team Berthelot recently signed Whirlpool Canada Inc. as the team's sponsor. This partnership is intended to help Team Berthelot achieve their dream of success while continuing to live a balanced lifestyle on and off the rink. Here's a look at Team Berthelot:



Janique Berthelot - Skip
Janique Berthelot has a reputation for leading by example. As the skip on one of Quebec's up and coming women's curling teams, she's known for throwing big shots at crucial moments in the game. Intense and focussed, Janique's determined to win the Scott Tournament of Hearts in the next few years.

A second side of Berthelot's personality is her friendly, outgoing manner. Part of this might come from her teaching experience at L'Envolée elementary school in Laval, PQ. When not throwing game-winning rocks on the ice, she's managing a busy classroom of grade two and three students.

Berthelot says that it's important to take time to step away from the world of curling. She and her fiancé, who is an avid curler and Team Berthelot's coach, make sure to reserve a few weekends together where they escape from the demands of the sport.

"Keeping up with curling and my professional life certainly keeps me busy," said Berthelot. "I'm truly lucky to get so much satisfaction from both my professional career and curling."



Carole Moreau - Lead
Carole is the newest member of Team Berthelot and the eldest player on the team. A fact that she is regularly teased about and at the same time respected for. Carole only took up the sport in 1994, but impressively, she has had numerous experiences playing at the Provincial level of the game. In fact, Carole will be participating in the 2003 National Mixed Championships held in Abotsford, British Columbia this January.

By day, Carole is a certified accountant and works as the Director of Operations at Empire Canada. And if you thought balancing a heavy curling schedule and full-time job seems like a plate-full, Carole also enjoys various other hobbies including, softball, golf, cycling and painting. How does she do it? The secret to Carole's extraordinary time-management has to do with her outlook on life- balance is the key to success.

Sharing a home with her long-time boyfriend (and curler) of almost 7 years, Jean-Pierre, Carole maintains a healthy outlook on life, and a healthy body. She makes sure that the team never competes for more than two weekends in a row, and stays well by eating a properly balanced diet, each and every day.



Joëlle Sabourin - Second
Joëlle brings both energy and experience to the Berthelot team. The tall, powerful sweeper has been passionate about curling for more than 19 years and is on the ice at least five times a week.

Joëlle's energy translates into her life's pursuits outside of the rink as well. She's taken up golf and tae kwon do classes when the curling season is off. In past years she also taught jazz and modern dance at a local high school. She's currently studying Swedish massage, in order to become a massage therapist.

Joëlle has a busy career with the Department of Finance and Secretariat of Treasury Board in Ottawa, Canada. Her work skills may, in fact, carry over to her curling life. She has a reputation for being methodical enough to keep notes on all of the rocks team Berthelot has competed with - ever! Despite the demands of her busy lifestyle, Joëlle says she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Certainly, it can get hectic trying to keep up with all of the competing influences in my life," she says. "But I've never been one to sit still and watch television all night. I love being busy, both with curling and with everything else that keeps me out of a boring routine."



Allison Ross - Third
Allison, a newcomer, has only two years on the team. "Al" to her teammates, she's respected for having a great feel for the game and is the team's third thrower due to her skill for consistently placing rocks.

When not on the ice, Allison spends time with her family as a break from the rigors of the curling tour. She also enjoys yoga, a hobby that helps her balance her curling career.

"I think it's important to make sure that one part of your life doesn't take over the other elements," said Ross. "I'm young and I have many interests. I like to keep involved in lots of different activities."

Allison works as a receptionist at D'Aronco in Lachine, PQ. She's trained in geographic information systems and would like to go back to school one day to train for a career in interior design.



Audrée Dufresne - Third
Audrée, also new to Team Berthelot, is the youngest of her teammates. Audree has been an avid curler since the age of six and her commitment to the sport is evident in the fact that she only lives a mere five minutes away from the Jacques-Cartier Curling Club in her hometown of Quebec City.

If it's not her peppy youth that keeps Team Berthelot motivated, itís Audrée's contagious smile- one would be hard-pressed to find her without that smile on her face! Benoit Cyr, the team coach describes Audree as a "ray of light". In the midst of completing her C.E.G.E.P education (Quebec College), Audree hopes to eventually pursue a degree in law once she begins University in Fall 2003. For the time being she works hard as a waitress in one of Quebec City's posh restaurants; saving up money to help pay for school.

When not taking to the ice curling, Audree also enjoys many other hobbies including, jogging, reading, shopping and internet chat with new friends.