Getting to the 2003 Four Nations Cup represented the first challenge for Canada’s National Women’s Team, as it seeks to defend it’s title and capture a seventh Nations Cup in eight years.

Most of the team arrived by plane in Göthenburg, Sweden early in the afternoon of November 4th and bussed close over two hours to Skövde (pronounced Hohv-day), the city where the event is being hosted. The schedule upon arriving on Monday, following a 12 to 16 hour journey, included a late afternoon practice at the Billingehov, where most of the games will be played.

Not all the players were available for the first skate, as four players and five members were delayed out of Calgary, and were re-routed through Oslo. The late arrivals joined up with their teammates for a late dinner.

Skövde is a community of about 50000, which, from all accounts, has a rich medieval history. Locals claim that this is the birthplace of the country. One of the main employers in this Swedish town is Volvo..

Canada opens up action on Wednesday in the neighboring town of Skara, where it faces the hosts, Team Sweden, in its first international contest since defeating the U.S. in the 2002 Four Nations Cup final, a year ago in Kitchener, ON.