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Kleibrink retiring from competitive curling

Olympic bronze medallist Shannon Klebrink is hanging up her curling shoes.

Kleibrink’s team from Okotoks, Alta., — which also includes third Sarah Wilkes, second Kalynn Park and lead Alison Thiessen —
announced Friday on social media they’re breaking up with their skip stepping back from the sport.

“Shannon will be retiring from competitive curling — ‘for good this time,'” the team wrote in a Twitter post. “Shannon, you have had an amazing career and we were unbelievably lucky to have had you as our leader/teammate/team-mom. You are an incredible athlete and we appreciate everything you have taught us.”

Kleibrink earned the bronze medal for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, playing with third Amy Nixon, second Glenys Bakker and lead Christine Keshen.

The 49-year-old Kleibrink was also a finalist at the 1997 and 2009 Canadian Olympic curling trials.

She competed in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts five times winning her most recent Alberta title in 2017. Kleibrink battled through a back injury during provincials and nationals and alternated games with fifth Heather Nedohin.

Team Kleibrink came up one win short of defending the Alberta championship this season falling to Casey Scheidegger’s squad in the final.