“On the ice, we have the discussions and off the ice, we are family”

Curling could be regarded as the quintessential family sport. From the Kapps and Jentschs in Germany, to the Muirheads and McMillans in Scotland and the likes of the Howards and Richardsons in Canada, dynasties have been known to rule the roost generationally.

But to have a complete family affair in a team is rare. You would have to point to the “World famous Richardsons” – brothers Ernie and Garnet and their cousins Arnold and Wes – as an example of this feat.

The Wuests may not be world famous yet, but they will be looking to create history as they compete for Switzerland at the World Mixed Curling Championships in Aberdeen, Scotland from 12-19 October.

Meet the family (team)

Dieter Wuest is the patriarch of the team, an enthusiastic fellow with a technical mind – expected considering he was part of the national team that won bronze at the 1987 European Curling Championships and bronze at the 1993 World Men’s Curling Championships.

He may have been the boss around the house when his children were younger, but now his daughter Nora is in charge – skipping the team. She is joined by her vice-skip and partner Yves Wagenseil, as well as her sister Marion. On the support squad is Dieter’s wife and mother to the daughters, Isabelle, as well as Marion’s twin sister Carola.

Now 64 years old, Dieter could one of the oldest athletes at this year’s competition – and his experience was a contributing factor to his selection over a younger player.

“For us, it was the easiest way to play a championship and my father was also a good curler,” said Nora.

“To me, it was very special to play with him. Not everyone can say, ‘we go to a World Championship with our father’.”

For Dieter, it was a great consolation after a previous tournament heartache.

“The first moment it was just a good feeling,” he said.

“I missed qualification for the World Senior Curling Championships and a couple of weeks later, we won the Mixed.”

Pathway to Aberdeen

It was a season of learning after being eliminated in the quarter-finals the previous year. With the top men’s and women’s rinks unable to compete in the Swiss Mixed Competition, it opened the door for others.

This season, the quartet has been successful and confidence is running high. Winning all three of their opening games gave them a bye to the semi-finals, which they won. A tight contest in the final secured the trophy and qualification to the World Mixed Curling Championship, marking Nora’s first major competition appearance.

Aside from Dieter, who Nora says is her “hero”, Yves and Marion have competed at World Junior Curling Championships in the past, meaning despite their lack of experience in this specific event, they are used to the schedule.

“Three of us have played in World Curling Championship, so we know how the week goes and I’m optimistic that we will manage it,” Nora said.

Looking forward to the experience

Dieter has had to sacrifice his usual summer break to prepare for the tournament. Like many curlers in their off-season, he is an avid golf fan, but he understood the need to savour this occasion.

“This is really a great situation and I’m really looking forward to the weekends now…it goes by very, very fast,” he said.

“You have to organise everything and then you go [to the competition] and then it’s over.”

Dieter’s words reflect the passage of time in life. He was once a world medallist before his children were born. Afterwards they accompanied him and Isabelle to the curling rink at such a young age that “I didn’t remember”, recalls Nora.

“We took the girls with us and they were in the restaurant and then they were playing on the ice,” reminisced Dieter.

Since then, his daughters have grown into adults and the dinner discussions about curling are less frequent, but preparation for this tournament has kept this close family as tight as they ever have been.

“On the ice, we have the discussions and off the ice, we are family,” said Dieter.

“We train at the same curling rinks, so we see each other a few times a week mostly in winter and also once or twice a week we have dinner together.”

These chats have helped Nora in hard times, particularly when analysing her performances at the Swiss Curling Championships, with her family offering advice and support. Yet, there are clear boundaries by the family when separating the two.

When your family become your teammates

“I think on the ice there is competition and I think we can have a good balance between it and just the private life,” said Nora.

“We also have our own space at home, or now in Aberdeen we have an Airbnb and everyone has this together room or you can have your own time if you want.

“On the ice we are a team, we have the competition and I think for me it’s two different places.”

“It’s not the same, within a family team to have this opportunity and also have a chance for a good result,” adds Dieter.

“We’re not just coming to have fun.”

Written by: World Curling journalist Michael Houston

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