Kaufmann's Curling Career: From Junior Success to World Champion
The journey of Kaufmann in the world of competitive curling is a testament to persistence and precision. From her early days as a junior athlete to reaching the pinnacle of the sport as a two-time World Champion, Kaufmann established herself as a key component of Switzerland's international curling success.
Early Career and Junior Championships
Kaufmann began her international trajectory at the World Junior Curling Championships. In 2007, she played the second position—the team member responsible for delivering the second set of stones in an end—for the Swiss team skipped by Sandra Zurbuchen. The team finished the round robin with a 5–4 record, leading to a tie-break scenario. While they defeated Norway's Kristin Moen Skaslien in the first tie-breaker, they were ultimately eliminated by Scotland's Sarah Reid.
Returning to the World Junior Curling Championships in 2009, Kaufmann again played second, this time under skip Martina Baumann. The team showed significant improvement, finishing the round robin with a 7–2 record. Despite losses to Canada's Kaitlyn Lawes in the semi-final and Scotland's Eve Muirhead in the playoffs, Kaufmann and her teammates secured a bronze medal by defeating Russia's Margarita Fomina.
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Rise to International Prominence
In 2011, Kaufmann joined the Binia Feltscher rink, a move that would define the most successful era of her career. The partnership debuted at the 2011 European Curling Championships, where the team finished in seventh place. By 2013, Kaufmann began finding success on the World Curling Tour, claiming victories at the Glynhill Ladies International and the Karuizawa International.
The 2014 World Championship Breakthrough
The 2013–14 season marked a turning point for Kaufmann and her teammates, Binia Feltscher, Irene Schori, and Christine Urech. After winning the 2013 Red Deer Curling Classic, the team earned the right to represent Switzerland at the 2014 World Women's Curling Championship in Saint John, New Brunswick.
The Swiss team dominated the round robin with a 9–2 record. Although they lost the 1 vs 2 game to Canada's Rachel Homan, they rebounded in the semi-final against Korea's Kim Ji-sun. In a dramatic final rematch against Homan, the Swiss team scored three points in the eighth end and stole three in the ninth to secure a 9–5 victory, earning Switzerland its fourth World Championship title.
Dominance and Final Years
Following their world title, Team Feltscher continued their momentum by winning the 2014 European Curling Championships, defeating Anna Sidorova in the final. This period also saw Kaufmann enter the Grand Slam of Curling, qualifying for both the 2014 Masters and the 2014 Canadian Open.
After a dip in form during the 2015 Swiss Women's Curling Championship, the team regained their footing in the 2015–16 season. They won the International ZO Women's Tournament and the Swiss national championship, returning them to the world stage. At the 2016 World Women's Curling Championship, they again finished the round robin with a 9–2 record. In the final against Japan's Satsuki Fujisawa, Switzerland held a 7–6 lead in the final end; a missed draw by Fujisawa secured Kaufmann's second World Women's Curling Championship gold medal.
The team concluded that successful season by winning the 2016 Euronics European Masters. However, the following years brought mixed results. While they won the Swiss playdowns to attend another World Women's Curling Championship, the team struggled with a 5–7 record. At the end of the 2017–18 season, Kaufmann stepped away from competitive curling.
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Key Facts
- World Titles: Two-time World Women's Curling Championship gold medalist (2014, 2016).
- Junior Success: Won a bronze medal at the 2009 World Junior Curling Championships.
- European Success: Won the 2014 European Curling Championships.
- Key Teammates: Competed primarily with the Binia Feltscher rink, including Irene Schori and Christine Urech.
- Career Span: Competed internationally from at least 2007 until her retirement after the 2017–18 season.
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | World Junior Curling Championships | Bronze Medal |
| 2014 | World Women's Curling Championship | Gold Medal |
| 2014 | European Curling Championships | Gold Medal |
| 2016 | World Women's Curling Championship | Gold Medal |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Championships did Kaufmann win?
Kaufmann won two World Women's Curling Championship gold medals, achieving these titles in 2014 and 2016.
What position did Kaufmann play on her teams?
During her time with the Swiss junior teams, Kaufmann played the second position.
Who was the skip of Kaufmann's most successful rink?
Kaufmann played under the skip Binia Feltscher during her most successful years, including her World Championship wins.
When did Kaufmann retire from competitive curling?
Kaufmann stepped away from competitive curling at the conclusion of the 2017–18 season.
Which countries did Switzerland defeat in the 2014 World Championship final?
Switzerland defeated Canada, specifically the team skipped by Rachel Homan, to win the 2014 title.