Don't call it a comeback: Krista Scharf's hiatus has ended before it even really began.
Scharf, who announced at the end of last season that she was stepping back from the sport, has joined forces with Team Despins for the upcoming year.
The Thunder Bay, Ont., club made the announcement on social media Monday.
Scharf will take over as skip with Robyn Despins moving to third, Abby Deschene throwing second and Rebecca Carr at lead. Nicole Westlund-Stewart, who threw third stones on Team Despins for the past three seasons, will stay on as an alternate as she continues to recover from a back injury.
"Krista brings years of experience, leadership and competitive success," the team said. "We can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together."
Scharf, third Kendra Lilly, second Ashley Sippala and lead Sarah Potts earned silver medals at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in 2016 and again in 2022 when the event was held in their hometown of Thunder Bay.
They also earned bronze medals at the Scotties in 2023 and the Canadian Olympic curling trials in 2021.
After playing together for over a decade, the team broke up in March, with Scharf, Sippala and Potts "planning to take time away from the game to focus on family."
Lilly, from Sudbury, Ont., linked up with Kira Brunton's team for next season.
