Former Team Einarson lead Briane Harris weighs in on lost curling season
After receiving an unexpected email from World Curling in February 2024, Briane Harris was hesitant to open it at first, thinking it might be spam. Instead, she joined her teammates, the four-time national champions skipped by Kerri Einarson, at a Calgary Flames game on the eve of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The following morning, Harris received another email from the federation that looked more official, prompting her to open it and discover shocking news.
The email informed Harris that an out-of-competition urine sample had tested positive for trace amounts of Ligandrol, a banned substance known for its muscle-building effects. Harris was taken aback by the results, as she had never knowingly taken any prohibited substances. She was placed under provisional suspension, leading to a lengthy legal battle that culminated in an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
After nearly a year of uncertainty, the court ultimately found Harris to be “no fault or negligence” for the violation, lifting her ban in January. Following this ordeal, Harris decided to part ways with the Einarson team and join Team Kate Cameron as their third player.
Harris claimed that she had unknowingly been exposed to Ligandrol through intimate contact with her husband, who had been using a supplement containing the banned substance. Despite initially being puzzled by how the substance entered her system, Harris was able to provide evidence supporting her case, drawing parallels to the situation of Canadian canoeist Laurence Vincent-Lapointe, who had a similar experience and was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing.
During her suspension, Harris was unable to practice with her teammates or compete on the ice, but she remained determined to return to play. After a grueling off-ice training regimen, she was overjoyed to receive the news of her ban being lifted and immediately began preparing to rejoin her team.
Despite her eagerness to resume playing with the Einarson team, they ultimately decided to move forward with a different lineup for the upcoming Scotties Tournament. Harris was released from the team and officially joined Team Cameron, where she is excited to contribute her experience and skills to help the team reach new heights.
Reflecting on her time with the Einarson team, Harris expressed gratitude for the growth and experiences she gained, and she is looking forward to applying those lessons to her new team. With a renewed sense of purpose and determination, Harris is focused on making a positive impact with Team Cameron and striving for success in future competitions.
