Kristin MacCuish is back home after a weekend which saw her and her team skipped by Tracy Fleury bring home the Masters title as part of the Grand Slam of Curling, defeating the team from Japan 7-5.

As a team they finished with a 6-1 record, really making a statement. "It's a pretty big bonspiel and a pretty big win for us." MacCuish said after taking a few days to let it all sink in. "It's the top 15 teams in the world, the top 15 women's teams playing there. To come out on top in the top 15 teams in the world, it's a pretty good feeling. For Tracy our skip, it was her first time winning. For Liz (Fyfe), Selena (Njegovan) and myself, it's our second Grand Slam of Curling tour."

It's been a strong season for MacCuish and the entire team but she admits there was a bit of nerves heading into the finals vs Japan. "I think our mindsets were really good. We sat down early in the week with our sports psychologist and we talked about the struggles we've had in finals before. We talked about them and even just having that talk early in the week, we were aware of ourselves and aware of the emotions, the extra adrenaline running through our bodies. We were feeling really good. A few nerves but my grandpa always says 'if you're not nervous, you're not ready'. I'd say he's right."

Th drama built and built before the match came down to a final shot to be taken by Fleury and MacCuish talked about what was going through her mind. "She was playing well, she was playing so good all game so I wasn't worried at all. Slight nerve when she let it go because it was a little bit soft so I knew I'd have to sweep my heart out. I just put my head down and swept my hardest." MacCuish adds with a little laugh, "it was a great team shot."

Once the shot connected and turned out exactly how'd the team hoped, MacCuish try's to put that feeling into words. "My whole body got tingly. I was just so happy for Tracy, it was her first slam win and to do it in front of her like, home crowd. I was so proud of the girls, we played so consistent all week. It was a perfect way to end."

The tournament was held in North Bay, Ontario but being from Landmark, Manitoba didn't stop the fans from getting behind MacCuish and the team and she definitely felt it. "They were so great all week. We felt like the home team. In the final, we knew they were behind us for sure."

MacCuish will enjoy a week of rest before getting back onto a plane to start a whirlwind few months for the team. "We're off to another Grand Slam of Curling event in Pictou, Nova Scotia. We leave next week for that. We've locked in a Canada Cup spot at the end of November in Leduc, Alberta. That was a big one on our radar, we hadn't qualified for the Canada Cup. We knew we'd have to have a really good start to the season to qualify. And with us winning the last event, we've qualified for the Champions Cup in Olds, Alberta at the end of April. Still a way's away but we've qualified for that."

Being her second major, MacCuish made sure to take a little time and enjoy the experience. "The first championship, I felt like I didn't play well enough to win. I felt like I played a lot better this time around. I felt like I earned it. It's an amazing experience. Winning... there is no better feeling. To get to look back on the week, playing the top 15 teams in the world, all fighting for the same championship, it's a great feeling."

MacCuish has come a long was from running around the Tache Fire Department building when she was younger to now setting off across Canada, playing the sport she loves. It's something she doesn't ever take for granted. "It's amazing. It's hard to put into words. We've put in a lot of hard work and when you set out, you have a dream and you start to achieve those goals, it's pretty amazing."