Shelley Solmes (born c. 1969) is a Canadian curler, best known for her highly successful career as a lead, particularly as a three-time Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion with the Jennifer Jones rink. She is widely recognized for her consistent performance and dedication to the sport during her competitive career.
Career Solmes began her competitive curling career in Manitoba, Canada. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, she established herself as one of the top leads in Canadian curling. She played with various skips, including Cathy Gauthier and Janet Harvey, before joining Jennifer Jones's team.
Her most prominent years were spent as the lead for the Jennifer Jones rink. With Jones, third Cathy Overton-Clapham, and second Jill Officer, Solmes formed one of the most dominant teams in Canadian curling history. Their partnership led to significant provincial and national successes.
Major Achievements
- Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Solmes won the Canadian Women's Curling Championship three times as the lead for Team Jones:
- 2005 (St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador)
- 2008 (Regina, Saskatchewan)
- 2009 (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island)
- World Women's Curling Championship: Representing Canada at the World Championships after her Scotties victories, Solmes earned multiple medals:
- Silver Medal: 2005 (Paisley, Scotland), 2008 (Vernon, British Columbia)
- Bronze Medal: 2009 (Gangneung, South Korea)
- Canadian Olympic Curling Trials: Solmes also competed in the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, aiming for a spot at the Winter Olympics.
- Manitoba Provincial Championships: She won multiple Manitoba provincial women's curling championships, qualifying her teams for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Solmes's tenure with the Jennifer Jones team concluded after the 2008-2009 season, following which she stepped away from top-tier competitive curling. She is remembered as a crucial component of a championship-winning team and a highly respected figure in Canadian curling.