It took 85 hours but Canada's women's rugby sevens team was finally reunited with its luggage in France on Thursday.
The Canadian women left Sunday, flying from Victoria to Montreal and then Lyon. They ended up in Clermont-Ferrand, the final stop of the World Series season.
But their luggage was not so fortunate. Bags belonging to 15 of the 18-member travelling party did not arrive with the players.
The good news is most had their cleats and other necessities in their carry-on luggage. Still more was needed. Earlier this week veteran Ashley Steacy tweeted a photo of the team holding up bags after a group shopping expedition.
Adding to the discomfort was a heat wave in France, with the women having to deal with both a limited wardrobe and 30-plus Celsius temperatures.
On Thursday, the suitcases finally arrived.
"A pretty happy bunch," coach John Tait said of the team.
Bianca Farella tweeted a photo of her hugging her Canada-themed bag.
"Thanks @AirCanada for delivering my luggage before our final @WorldRugby7s stop!" she wrote.
"Never been so happy to see my suitcase," said a Steacy tweet.
Captain Ghislaine Landry tweeted a short video of Tait and his players celebrating around a pile of luggage. "Happy to report!" she wrote.
Tait said the team didn't get an official explanation for the lost luggage other than an Air Canada official in Victoria telling a couple of players that they were struggling with a new system there.
"We don't think the bags even got on our first flight," he said.
Tait said while his players were good about the delay, lessons have been learned.
"We'll pack a lot less on our next tour," he said, half-joking. "We'll be more selective about what they carry on as well."
The Clermont-Ferrand tournament, the last of six this season, runs Saturday and Sunday. Canada, which has won one event and finished runner-up at two others this season, is currently tied with Australia for second in the overall standings. New Zealand tops the table.
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Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
