After an 11-month suspension that threatened to derail her career, Canadian curler Briane Harris has triumphantly returned to the ice at the 2025 Montana's Canadian Curling Trials presented by Connect Hearing in Halifax.
A New Beginning with Team Cameron
Harris, now playing third for Team Cameron, has embraced her new role with renewed passion for the sport. The Manitoban curler was sidelined for nearly a year due to a drug violation involving the banned substance Ligandrol, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport later cleared her of any fault or negligence in the matter.
"The sport probably doesn't love me, but it doesn't really matter," Harris said with a laugh during interviews at the trials. "It's just been great to be back. I'm really happy to be back. I love curling."
Overcoming Adversity at Olympic Trials
The Olympic curling trials in Halifax represent more than just another competition for Harris - they mark her return to elite curling after what could have been a career-ending suspension. The event, running through next weekend, will determine Canada's representatives for team curling at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
Harris joins skip Kate Cameron, second Taylor McDonald and lead Mackenzie Elias in what she describes as a "really hungry" team. "They're really hungry to push to that next level, and I think we will get there," Harris said. "We're really close right now, and we've been improving so quickly, so it's really exciting to be a part of this team."
Looking Forward to Future Opportunities
Despite the challenges of her suspension, Harris maintains her love for curling and appreciation for the opportunity to compete at the highest level again. Her return to the Canadian curling scene comes at a crucial moment, with Olympic qualification on the line.
"I wanted it for so long," Harris said about her return to competitive curling. "So now I'm here, and it's nice to be back." The team's performance in Halifax could determine whether they represent Canada at the upcoming Winter Olympics, adding significance to every stone thrown during the trials.
