PEICurling.com

OTTAWA, November 18, 2009 (CCA)…The Canadian Curling Association today confirmed that World Financial Group will be the title sponsor of the 2010 Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships.

The World Financial Group Canadian Seniors will take place at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, March 20-28, 2010. The company also has an option to renew its sponsorship agreement for the 2011 Canadian Seniors in Digby, Nova Scotia.

It marks the first time since 1999 that the Seniors has enjoyed a title sponsor, when CIBC completed its five-year agreement.

“We’re pleased and encouraged that World Financial Group is making a significant, increased commitment to our sport, specifically to the rapidly-growing Seniors segment, following the announcement a month ago of its title sponsorship role for the 2011 and 2012 Continental Cup,” said Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Curling Association. “World Financial Group is a major supporter of Canadian amateur and community sport, at both a national and grassroots community level.”

The winners of the 2010 World Financial Group Canadian Seniors will represent Canada at the 2011 World Seniors, at a site and date to be announced. Last year, Ontario (Bruce Delaney of Ottawa) and Nova Scotia (Colleen Pinkney of Truro) won the Canadian Seniors in Summerside, Prince Edward Island and will represent Canada at the 2010 World Seniors in Chelyabinsk, Russia, April 16-24.

Manitoba and Ontario have each won 10 Canadian senior men’s titles since the championship began in 1965 in Port Arthur, while Ontario has also won a leading 10 women’s crowns since 1973 in Ottawa. The championships were conducted as separate events before being combined in 1985 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.

In the past few years, such curling luminaries as Brier and world champions Al Hackner, Pat Ryan and Russ Howard have competed in the Canadian senior men’s championship. Hackner won in 2006, while Ryan won the 2007 national title and 2008 world title. Howard was the 2008 and 2009 Canadian runner-up.

The 2008 Canadian Senior champions, Eugene Hritzuk of Saskatchewan and Pat Sanders of British Columbia, a former Scotties and world champion, went on to win gold medals at the 2009 World Seniors in New Zealand. Since 2002 in Bismarck, North Dakota, when the World Seniors competition was unveiled, Canada has captured six men’s and five women’s crowns.

World Financial Group (www.worldfinancialgroup.com) is a financial services marketing organization whose affiliates offer life insurance and a broad array of financial products and services. In Canada, World Financial Group Insurance Agency of Canada Inc. offers life insurance and SEG funds. Mutual Funds and Scholarship Plans are also offered in certain provinces through WFG Securities of Canada Inc.

BURLINGTON, November 17, 2009 (CCA/PEICA)…Ontario, skipped by two-time former provincial junior champion Mark Bice of Sarnia, maintained its lead through Draw 10 of the 2010 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, taking place at the Burlington Golf and Country Club.

The host province won both of its games on Tuesday, a 7-3 decision over Saskatchewan followed by a 7-2 rout of Newfoundland/Labrador, to improve to 6-1 in the 12-team round robin.

Prince Edward Island, skipped by Kyle Stevenson of Charlottetown, another former provincial junior champion, kept pace, though, with a 9-2 victory over Quebec and an 8-2 pasting of Yukon/Northwest Territories, to sit a game behind at 5-2.

Nova Scotia and British Columbia are next in line with 4-2 marks. Nova Scotia, skipped by 2004 Brier winner Mark Dacey of Halifax, also won a pair on Tuesday, 5-2 over Manitoba and 7-4 over Alberta, while British Columbia, with Duncan’s Jason Montgomery at the controls, took down Northern Ontario, 10-7 and Saskatchewan, 7-5, in the evening draw.

New Brunswick, skipped by Mary Jane McGuire of Fredericton, is next at 4-3.

Ten provinces, plus Northern Ontario and Yukon/Northwest Territories, are contesting the 47th edition of The Mixed, from November 14-21. After the round robin concludes Friday morning, the first place team will advance directly to Saturday’s final, while the second and third place teams meet in a semi-final.

Alberta leads all provinces with nine wins since the championship began in 1964 in Toronto, while defending champion Manitoba and Saskatchewan are next with eight victories each.

Ontario has won the Canadian Mixed twice – in 1986 by skip Dave Van Dine in Kamloops and by skip John Epping at the 2006 edition in Whitehorse. PEI won the Mixed in 1987 (Peter Gallant, Kathie Gallant, Phil Gorveatt, Simone MacKenzie) and 1989 (Robert Campbell, Angela Roberts, Mark O’Rourke, Kathy O’Rourke).

Round robin play continues with draws at 10:00 am, 2:30 pm and 7:00 pm AT through Thursday, with a final draw at 10:00 am on Friday, prior to the playoffs.

In addition to the Canadian title, two players from the winning team will also represent Canada at the 2010 World Mixed Doubles Championship, slated for April 16-24, 2010 in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

PEI’s Wednesday games at the Mixed are against Alberta at 2:30 pm AT and Manitoba at 7 pm AT.