Team Dunstone's Seamless Transition Leads to World Curling Championship Success
The journey to the pinnacle of the curling world has been nothing short of impressive for Team Dunstone, as they find themselves just a few victories away from claiming the title at the 2026 LGT World Men's Curling Championship in Ogden, Utah. This remarkable ascent is particularly notable given that the team has been together for only 16 months, showcasing a seamless integration of talent and camaraderie.
A Championship Crew Comes Together
From left, skip Matt Dunstone, third Colton Lott, second E.J. Harnden, and lead Ryan Harnden celebrated their 2026 Montana's Brier championship win at Mary Brown's Centre in St. John's on March 8, setting the stage for their current world championship campaign. The team, hailing from Winnipeg and based out of the Granite Curling Club, has described their transition as effortless and enjoyable.
"Life works in miraculous ways," said skip Matt Dunstone, reflecting on the serendipitous formation of Canada's championship crew. The Harnden brothers, E.J. and Ryan, joined forces with Dunstone and Lott, creating a fearsome foursome that has quickly gelled into a competitive unit.
Easy Transition and Strong Chemistry
Lead Ryan Harnden emphasized the smooth adjustment to playing with the new rink. "It was a pretty easy transition," he noted. "Matt and Colton make it very enjoyable and easy to play with. And they're great guys. A ton of fun with these two players here. And same with E.J. They're helluva players. So ... yeah ... very easy transition."
This sentiment is echoed by the younger back-end stars, Dunstone and Lott, who recognize the value of playing alongside the Harndens, with E.J. set to retire after the men's worlds. "These guys are the best or one of the best ever to do it at their positions," said Dunstone. "And to be able to end this chapter with this group who's had a lot of success over the 16 months here is pretty special."
Impressive Performances on the World Stage
Team Dunstone's recent performances at the worlds have been nothing short of special. An impressive 8-7 win over top-spot Switzerland, secured by Dunstone's 10th-end draw to the button early Wednesday, extended Canada's winning streak to four games. This victory over Marco Hösli's rink was followed by another match against Czechia's Lukáš Klima later that day.
If the team can maintain this momentum through the weekend's playoffs, they stand a strong chance of securing a world title. For Dunstone and Lott, this would mark their first world championship, creating a full-circle moment that harks back to their early inspirations.
A Full-Circle Moment for Dunstone
Dunstone recalled watching the Harndens play for Brad Jacobs at the 2013 Olympic trials, an experience that fueled his own curling ambitions. "That was for me like, 'I want to do this,'" he said. "And me and Colt had just won our first Canadian junior at the time, so we were trending. And watching those guys win and play with that energy is something we hadn't really seen in the sport before. It was very exciting."
He added, "So that event for me was like, 'This is something I want to pursue.' And then obviously, to have it come full circle and play with these guys and win with these guys ... I mean ... a very, very cool moment."
As Team Dunstone continues their quest for the world championship, their seamless transition and strong team dynamics serve as a testament to the power of collaboration in sports. With veteran experience and youthful energy combined, they are poised to make a significant impact on the international curling stage.
