Father-daughter duo takes on national curling competition

A father-daughter duo is about to take on the best curlers in the country.

After winning a provincial mixed doubles championship in BC, Jim Cotter and his 16-year-old daughter, Jaelyn, made their way to Saskatchewan to take part in the 2016 Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championships, a national competition that kicked off on Thursday in Saskatoon. 

It's just so special and exciting and we work so well together and it's just a ton of fun.-  Jim Cotter

"We entered and we kind of just got on a bit of a roll and put wins together, and the next thing we know, we [were] off to Saskatoon," said Jim about winning the B.C. provincial title with his daughter.

He is a six-time provincial champion from Vernon, BC.

"We just kept making our shots and kept coming together really nicely," added Jaelyn.

Jaelyn's been involved with the sport since age six.

Playing the big leagues

During the national competition, 32 teams will compete over the course of four days for a chance to play at the world championship in Karlstad, Sweden in April.

"I do look around and see the big league people and I'm like, 'Oh, I'm playing at the same event as them. This is crazy,' " Jaelyn said.

The pair said they've received continuous encouraging messages from their friends and family about their curling success.

"It's definitely one of the most special moments in my curling career just to be able to curl with my daughter at a national event," Jim said. "It's just so special and exciting and we work so well together and it's just a ton of fun."

The playoff rounds begin Saturday evening and continue into Sunday, when a winner will be announced.