New PEICurling.com News System
Posted Sunday, September 14, 2008 by derekm
The PEICurling.com news system, which has been using a program dating from the 1990's (with some updates over the years), is being replaced with a more modern system, built on the WordPress blog framework.
A subscription notice has been sent to all email subscribers. Please click on the link in the email to confirm your subscription to begin receiving emailed news via the new system. No more news will be posted through the old system.
You can also subscribe by adding your email address on the News page at PEICurling.com.
Archival access to news from the old system is available on the bottom right of the revised News page.
The new system will provide better quality RSS feeds, better formatting, the ability to comment on posts, and the ability to easily share news items with others.
- Derek MacEwen
Webmaster, PEICurling.com
Curler Jerry Muzika among PEI Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
Posted Saturday, September 13, 2008 by derekm
Jerry Muzika of Charlottetown is among four upcoming inductees into the PEI Sports Hall of Fame.
Charlottetown’s Jerry Muzika has had a distinguished career in curling, one which has seen him become a member of the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, to which he was inducted in 1989 in the builder category.
A fine player in his own right, Jerry had three trips to nationals, including a trip to the Brier with Bob Dillon in 1974, and two Senior Championships in 1990 and 1993. It was as an administrator however that he has made the most contribution - starting with positions at the Charlottetown Curling Club, he worked his way up to become provincial president, before taking on important roles with the national body.
From 1982 to 1988 Jerry held most of the key positions in Canadian curling, including that of President from 1986/87. He also served on many organizing committees on major events, and in addition he has played an important role with the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame and Museum, serving three terms as president.
Muzika’s passion for the history of the sport has seen him chronicle the story of curling in the province, and he achieved his ambition of setting up the P.E.I Curling Hall of Fame, with the first inductions taking place in 2007.
A life member of both the Charlottetown Club and the Canadian Curling Association, Muzika received one of the sport’s highest honours in 2003 when he was inducted into the Governor General’s Curling Club, recognizing those who have contributed to the growth and promotion of curling in Canada and elsewhere.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club in Summerside on Sept. 20. beginning at 7 pm. Tickets at $10 each are available from both the Silver Fox in Summerside, and Sport P.E.I. in Charlottetown (phone 368-4547).
Other inductees will include legendary Mi'kmaq distance runner John Paul, who raced for almost three decades, hockey builder and coach John (Jake) Milford, the only Island born member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Earl Ross, the only Canadian to win a NASCAR Winston Cup race.
CurlTV ready to roll for season 4. Events include Sobeys Slam
Posted Saturday, September 13, 2008 by derekm
CurlTV are in the process of planning their schedule for the year. Here is a sneak peek:
Our journey will begin at the world renowned Saville Sports Centre in Edmonton, Alberta for the Boston Pizza Shootout that will start September 18th and finish on the 29th.
Later on in October, our top notch road crew will be broadcasting live from the Cactus Pheasant Classic in Brooks, AB which was named the Men's Event of the Year last year at the 2007-08 World Curling Tour Players' Awards Banquet.
We will also have women's grand slam action live this November from last year's Women's Event of the Year; The Sobeys Slam in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
CurlTV.com is also pleased to announce our NEW MEMBERSHIP RATES for the upcoming season that will provide you with exclusive curling coverage from over 150 games at 20+ planned events. Our Annual Membership is $59.95 CDN and Trial Membership (2 months) is $32.95 CDN. Not a member? Click here to sign up now!
CurlTV.com's Broadcast schedule
September 18-21 - Boston Pizza Shootout - Edmonton, AB
September 26-29 - CUETS Schmirler Curling Classic - Regina, SK
October 10-13 - Trail Appliances Curling Classic - Calgary, AB
October 24-27 - Flint Energy Curling Classic - Bonnyville, AB
October 30 - November 2 - Cactus Pheasant Classic - Brooks, AB
November 27-30 - Sobeys Slam - New Glasgow, NS
December 11-15 - Canada Cup Qualifier - Edmonton, AB
- Schedule is subject to change without notice
- Schedule will be updated shortly as more events are added to the lineup
2011 Canada Games Selection Process
Posted Thursday, September 11, 2008 by derekm
The 2011 Canada Winter Games will be held in Halifax NS Feb. 11-17, 2011. Curlers born after January 1, 1993 and prior to December 31, 1998 are eligible to try out for the Games.
Identification camps will be held in Summerside on October 13, 2008 and Charlottetown on December 21, 2008. The cost is $10 per curler and the camps are open to all Canada Games age-eligible curlers.
There will be an open competition in Cornwall on March 22, 2009 for all age-eligible Canada Games teams.
In November 2009, an open "Qualifier" competition will be held to determine 8 Qualifiers; 4 mens and 4 womens teams.
These 8 Qualifiers will compete in the Final Selection Trial in December 2009. The winners of the mens and womens Trials will represent PEI at the Canada Games in 2011.
The 2010-11 curling season will be the training and rehearsal year for the two teams representing PEI.
COACHES NOTE: Coaches of teams playing in the Qualifier (Nov. 2009) and the Final Selection Trial (Dec. 2009) must have completed their Level 2 Certification.
Coaches of the winning teams from the Final Selection Trial must complete their Level 3 certification by three months prior to the start of the Games.
Selection Committee members are Nancy Yeo, Marilyn Sutherland and Don Vickerson.
Brett Gallant sweeps up Canada Games grant
Posted Tuesday, September 9, 2008 by derekm
Ottawa – Brett Gallant is the only Islander on the list of those receiving 2008 Canada Games Fast Track athlete grants.
Click to read this story in the Journal-Pioneer
Annual Junior Cashspiel set for Cornwall
Posted Wednesday, August 20, 2008 by derekm
The annual Pizza Delight/Subway/Howard Johnson Dutch Inn Junior Men's and Women's Curling Cashspiel takes place November 21-23 at the Cornwall Curling Club. Defending champions are Erin Carmody and Brett Gallant of PEI. Entry fee is $150 per team.
Entry deadline is Oct. 31. Mail entry and fee to BRENDA MACMILLAN, P.O. BOX 191, CORNWALL, P.E.I. COA 1HO.
For more info phone (902) 566-2620 or email brenda.macmillan@vac-acc.gc.ca.
Click for: poster, entry form.
Event website: cornwallcurling.com/bonspiel04.html
Junior High Performance Camp
Posted Wednesday, August 20, 2008 by derekm
Curl Atlantic and the PEI Curling Association are holding a Junior High Performance Curling Camp on Oct. 4 and 5, for competitive junior teams (primarily ages 20 and under, and 17 and under). The camp will be held at the Charlottetown Curling Club. Cost is $250 per team and entry is limited to the first 10 paid teams, with entry deadline of Sept. 24.
For more information or to register, contact Gayle Johnton at 368-1071 or gaylej@pei.sympatico.ca. Mail entries to Box 3, Site 10, Charlottetown PE C1E 1N6.
Click for Entry Form and Poster
Canadian Curling Breaks New Ice!
Posted Monday, August 4, 2008 by derekm
TORONTO, Ontario, Canada, August 2008 – The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (The Dominion) is taking Canadian curling to another level with the launch of a national curling event, “The Dominion Curling Club Championship”, set to benefit Canadian club curlers and charities.
“The Dominion Curling Club Championship, funded by The Dominion, will be an annual event for men’s and women’s curling teams who have won their respective local club championships,” says Leigh Armstrong of The Dominion. “The Championship provides the first ever opportunity for winning club teams to represent their club at the zone, provincial or territory level, and ultimately offers them the opportunity to rank nationally. Teams from all 10 provinces and 3 territories, plus a separate entry for Northern Ontario, will compete at the National Championships.” The premier event will bring this season’s club champs together to compete at St. George’s Golf and Country Club, Etobicoke, Ontario in late November of 2009. The national championship will move to other clubs across Canada in future years.
“The Dominion is a proud supporter of Canadian curling and of Canadian athletes,” states George Cooke, President and CEO of The Dominion. “We look forward to working with curlers and curling organizations across Canada.” “This is a fantastic opportunity for all Canadian curlers,” adds Greg Stremlaw, CEO of the Canadian Curling Association, “a unique partnering of sport and business that supports charity and strengthens local communities across the country; it is a winning situation for everyone.”
Any profit generated from The Dominion Curling Club Championship will be directed to charities including the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA), as well as developmental curling initiatives in communities across Canada. “Having The Dominion as CPA’s first National Sponsor means that we are always involved in unique opportunities like this championship,” adds Bill Adair, Executive Director, CPA Ontario. “We thank The Dominion for their vision, leadership and continued commitment.”
About The Dominion
Canadian owned and operated, The Dominion has been insuring the cars, homes and businesses of Canadians since 1887. Today, The Dominion is one of the country’s largest property and casualty insurers, distributing its insurance products solely through independent insurance brokers. The Dominion’s priority is earning and maintaining the trust and loyalty of policyholders, employees and business partners. Visit www.thedominion.ca.
About The Dominion and Curling
Along with being the official insurer of the Canadian Curling Association, the CCA Season of Champions events and Ontario Curling Association, The Dominion is the title sponsor of over a dozen curling championships and fundraisers including the Northern Ontario Men’s Provincials, Ontario Senior Men’s and Women’s Provincials and a bonspiel which has raised more than $800,000 in the last 7 years, with 100% of proceeds going to the CPA. The Dominion recently committed to the title sponsorship of the Toronto Curling Association Junior Bonspiel (TCA).
Sobeys Slam entries reveal new Gaudet lineup
Posted Friday, August 1, 2008 by derekm
Reigning PEI women's champion Suzanne Gaudet, recently married to Trevor Birt, will be bringing a new team into the 2008-2009 season. Gone are Robyn MacPhee and Carol Webb, with veterans Shelly Bradley joining the rink at third, and Leslie MacDougall playing second. Stefanie Clark remains on the team in the lead position.
Gaudet's new team is entered in the Sobeys Slam, November 27-30 in New Glasgow NS. Other entries in this star-studded event include Jennifer Jones, Shannon Kleibrink, Kelly Scott, Stefanie Lawton, Sherry Middaugh, Cheryl Bernard, Cathy King, Mary Anne Arsenault, two US teams, and the silver medallists in last year`s World championship, Team China (Bingyu Wang), Event website: www.sobeysslam.ca/
Curler Jerry Muzika among PEI Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
Posted Thursday, July 31, 2008 by derekm
Canadian Curling Hall of Fame member and former Canadian Curling Association President Jerry Muzika of Charlottetown is among four upcoming inductees into the PEI Sports Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club in Summerside on Sept. 20. Tickets will be available shortly from both the Hall of Fame in Summerside, and Sport P.E.I. in Charlottetown.
Click to read this story at The Journal Pioneer.
PEI Sports Hall of Fame website
Coaching Conference introduces new award and sponsor
Posted Thursday, July 24, 2008 by derekm
The 2008 Atlantic Curling Coaching Conference, set for August 8-10 at the Mayflower Curling Club in Halifax, welcomes the Investors Group as its new sponsor. Part of this sponsorship is the awarding of the "Investors Group Volunteer Sport Administrator Award", which will recognize the contribution to community sport programs made by a dedicated volunteer who demonstrates outstanding commitment and service in an administrative capacity for a club, organization, or event, resulting in a strong impact on the community for coaches and athletes. The coaching conference organizing committee will select the award recipient. The 2008 Atlantic Coaching Conference Organizing Committee is comprised of Jean Blackie - Chair, Helen Radford - Technical Advisor, Leslie Ann Walsh - Volunteer Coordinator and Karen Ouellette - Staff Liaison.
Nominators must provide the following information:
- name, address and phone number of the nominee and the nominator
- the history of service to community sport programs reflecting the commitment and service of the nominee
- list of other awards or recognition received
- description of any outstanding qualities or contributions that the nominator feels would be of interest to the selection committee.
The presentation to the award recipient will be made at the 2008 Atlantic Coaching Conference. The recipient will automatically become eligible for the Investors Group National Volunteer Sport Administrator Award, which is presented at the annual Sport Leadership Awards Dinner.
All nominations are due by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2008. Nominations can be emailed to karen@curlatlantic or fax to the Curl Atlantic office at (902) 864-3187. Entry deadline for the conference itself has been extended to August 1st.
Visit www.curlatlantic.com for more information on the conference.
John Likely foursome looking to defend at Hub City Shootout
Posted Tuesday, July 15, 2008 by derekm
The 2nd Annual Hub City Shootout takes place at the Beaver Curling Club in Moncton from November 20-23, 2008. Charlottetown's John Likely rink are defending champs, and are already entered for this year's event. Likely's team includes Phil Gorveatt, Mark Butler, and Mike Dillon. Also in the entry stack for this year is the PEI team of Kevin Champion, Andrew Robinson, Mark O'Rourke, Rod MacDonald, and Peter MacDonald. For complete info, visit the event website at:
curling.monctonut.com/
World and Olympic champions headline 2008 Continental Cup
Posted Tuesday, July 15, 2008 by derekm
Source: Canadian Curling Association
CAMROSE, ALBERTA…The rosters for the 2008 Continental Cup of Curling, presented by Monsanto, are now confirmed.
Now in its sixth edition, the Continental Cup, featuring Team World (formerly Team Europe) versus Team North America, will be staged December 18-21 at the 2,300-seat EnCana Arena in the Edgeworth Centre in Camrose, Alberta. Among the skips slated to compete are the reigning world champions, Canada’s Kevin Martin and Jennifer Jones, and 2006 Olympic gold medallist Anette Norberg of Sweden.
North America holds a 3-2 edge over the ‘World’, after winning last year’s Continental Cup in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The unique event, patterned somewhat after golf’s Ryder Cup, will offer a purse of $88,400, with each member of the winning team receiving $2,000, while each losing team member gets $1,400.
Team North America consists of four teams from Canada and two teams from the United States. The Canadian contingent comprises teams skipped by Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, Stefanie Lawton of Saskatoon, Edmonton’s Kevin Martin and Kevin Koe. The American teams will be skipped by current national champions Debbie McCormick and Craig Brown of Madison, Wisconsin.
Jones and Martin earned Cup berths by winning the 2008 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Regina and 2008 Tim Hortons Brier in Winnipeg, respectively. Both then went on to claim world titles, as Jones captured the Ford world women’s in Vernon, British Columbia, while Martin took the world men’s crown in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Jones, a two-time Canadian champion, was a member of the winning North America side at the 2007 Cup, while Martin, a three-time Brier winner and 2002 Olympic silver medallist, played in the inaugural Continental Cup in Regina in 2002, when North America scored a dramatic, last rock victory over the World in the final men’s skins game between Martin and Sweden’s Peja Lindholm.
Lawton and Koe earned their first Continental Cup berths by winning the 2008 Strauss Canada Cup in Kamloops, British Columbia.
McCormick, the 2003 world champion, will be making her fourth Cup appearance for North America, after competing in 2003, 2006 and 2007, while Brown will be playing in his first Cup.
Russ Howard, the 2006 Olympic gold medallist and two-time (1987, 1993) world champion, will be the captain for North America while Jim Waite will be the coach.
Team World is headlined by reigning Le Gruyère European champions Anette Norberg of Sweden and David Murdoch of Scotland.
In addition to her Olympic gold medal in Turin (Pinerolo), Italy, Norberg won back-to-back world titles in 2005 and 2006. She’s also competed in three previous Cups, winning in 2003 in Thunder Bay, Ontario and 2006 in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Murdoch, who won the 2006 world men’s title in Lowell, Massachusetts and was runner-up in 2005 and 2008, will also be making his fourth Cup appearance, winning in 2006.
Coming on the heels of remarkable international success in 2008, two teams from China will join Team World….skipped by Bingyu Wang, who earned a silver medal at the Ford world women’s and Fengchun Wang, who finished fourth at the 2008 world men’s, while making his country’s debut in the championship.
The other World skips are Switzerland’s 2002 and 2006 Olympic silver medallist and 2008 world bronze medallist Mirjam Ott, who was also a member of Team Europe when winning the 2006 Continental Cup, and Norway’s Thomas Ulsrud, bronze medallist at the 2006 and 2008 world men’s and runner-up to Murdoch at the 2007 European championship.
The coach will be Sweden’s three-time (1997, 2001, 2004) world champion Peja Lindholm, while 2002 Olympic gold medallist Pål Trulsen of Norway will be the World captain. Lindholm played in the first three Cups, winning in 2003, while Trulsen also participated in three Cups, winning in 2003 and 2006.
The Continental Cup is a four-day competition involving Team games (72 points), Mixed Doubles (36 points), Singles (32 points) and Skins (Men’s, Women’s and Mixed, worth a total of 260 points). The first side to score 201 points is declared the winner.
In 2002, Team North America edged Team World at the inaugural Continental Cup in Regina, Saskatchewan, 207-193, but Europe evened the score in 2003, winning 208-179 in Thunder Bay. In 2004, North America recaptured the title with a 228-172 tally in Medicine Hat, before a record four-day crowd of 42,317.
In 2006 in Chilliwack, Europe emerged victorious, 229-171, as all of the curling medallists from the 2006 Olympic Winter Games participated. Last year in Medicine Hat, North America wound up with a 290-110 advantage, clinching the competition, for the first time ever, on Saturday night, before the women’s and men’s final Skins games were played on Sunday.
This year, TSN will provide extensive national coverage (28 hours) of the competition, similar to what The Sports Network did for the first three Continental Cups from 2002-2004.
The Continental Divide, the event’s entertainment centre, will be located in the adjacent Border Paving Arena.
The world’s best curlers have competed in the Continental Cup. In addition to this year’s line-up, previous participants include teams skipped by Canada’s Brad Gushue, Randy Ferbey, Glenn Howard, Kelly Scott, Kelley Law and Colleen Jones, Norway’s Dordi Nordby, Sweden’s Elisabet Gustafson, Scotland’s Rhona Martin, Jackie Lockhart and Hammy McMillan, Germany’s Andrea Schöpp and Andy Kapp and Finland’s Markku Uusipaavalniemi.
Full event passes (includes all draws) are on sale through Ticketmaster (780-451-8000 or Ticketmaster.ca). For more event information, visit Seasonofchampions.ca.
The Continental Cup is a joint venture of the Canadian Curling Association, the United States Curling Association and the World Curling Federation.
PEI Curling Life Memberships given out at ADL Awards (version with picture)
Posted Friday, June 13, 2008 by derekm
Three life memberships were awarded by the PEI Curling Association at the ADL Awards Night, this evening at the Charlottetown Curling Club. Recipients were Barb Currie from the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club, Kaye MacFadyen from the Charlottetown Curling Club, and Brenda MacMillan from the Cornwall Curling Club.
Photo L-R: Ray McCourt - President PEICA, Brenda MacMIllan, Wendy Reid - President, Sport PEI, Kaye MacFadyen, Barbara Currie, Dave Murphy - PEICA Past President and Master of Ceremonies
Biographies:
Barbara Currie
Barb began her volunteer work in the curling community in 1974 serving as the secretary of the Summerside Curling Club Ladies Branch and continued in that capacity until 1977. She became President of the Summerside Curling Club Ladies Branch for the 1977-78 season and the following year she co-chaired the games committee.
Barb was the Curl Canada Coordinator for the PEI Ladies Curling Association from 1987 to 1990. After the Ladies’ and Men’s Curling Associations amalgamated in 1990, she became the PEI Technical Director of the Prince Edward Island Curling Association. She held this position for seven years. During this time she also served as the Summerside Curling Club delegate to the PEI Curling Association in 1991-92 and 1993-94.
During the 1987 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, Barb was an on-ice official, a statistician at the Karcher Canadian Juniors Championship in 2002, and an on-ice official at the Canadian Seniors Championship in 2006. All events took place in Summerside.
She organized the opening reception for the Maritime Masters Championship held in Summerside in 2008 and she started the Quality Inn /Brothers Two Ladies Cashspiel in 1987. This annual event is now called the Foxy Lady.
Barb received the Scott Appreciation Award in 2000.
Currently, she is a valuable founding member of the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum, which inducted the first curlers into the Hall in October 2007.
Kaye MacFadyen
Kaye MacFadyen has been involved in the business of curling since 1983 when she co-chaired the First PEI Junior Elite Curling Camp at Belvedere Curling Club.
Since then she has held a long list of positions within the curling community, beginning as Treasurer of the Fund Raising Committee for the Scott Tournament of Hearts held in Charlottetown in 1984.
In 1987-88 she was Secretary-Treasurer of the PEI Ladies Curling Association. She also served as the Second Vice President in 1989-90, and as Third Vice President in 1990-91.
Kaye was the Charlottetown Curling Club’s delegate to the PEI Curling Association in 1995-96 and she served as Treasurer of the PEI Curling Association in 2004-06.
In 1995-96, she chaired the Hosting Committee for the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship held at the Charlottetown Curling Club in March 1996.
In 1996-97 she became Vice-President of the Charlottetown Curling Club, serving as the President in 1997-98 and Past-President in 1998-99.
She is a long-standing Committee member of the Annual Curl for Cancer Fund Raiser, participating from 1998 to 2004.
From 2001 to 2004 Kaye was the General Manager at the Charlottetown Curling Club.
Kaye has a Level I Ice Technician Course and has completed Phase One of the Cancurl Business of Curling Club Marketing and Management Program.
Brenda MacMillan
Brenda MacMillan has given 13 years as a dedicated volunteer to curling on Prince Edward Island –as a certified Level III Curling Coach, a junior coordinator and a founder and organizer of events that promote junior curling.
She coached the 2003 Canada Games Junior Women’s PEI Champions (the Meaghan Hughes team) during the provincial playoffs and as they went on to represent our province in Bathurst, New Brunswick at the Canada Winter Games.
Also in 2003, she coached the Meaghan Hughes team during the Prince Edward Island Junior Women’s Championship and at the Canadian Junior Women’s Championship in Ottawa. She continued to coach the girls in 2004 as they represented PEI in Victoria at the Canadian Juniors; again in 2005 in Fredericton, and in Thunder Bay in 2006.
She has coached other junior teams at the club level as well as coaching and chaperoning juniors to ensure they had the opportunity to play in events in other clubs.
Brenda has also assisted course conductor Marilyn Sutherland instructing Level I Technical courses at PEI curling clubs and, during the 1996-1997 season, she shared Junior Club Coordinator duties with Marilyn at the Belvedere Curling Club.
From 1997 to 2004, Brenda served as the PEI Junior Coordinator for the Prince Edward Island Curling Association, and represented the Association at National Championship meetings.
In 1999, in Kelowna, she was one of the four Atlantic Provincial Junior Coordinators instrumental in initiating the Atlantic Junior 17 and Under Curling Championships. Subsequently, and with the approval of the four Atlantic Provinces’ curling associations, the Championship was formed. The goal was to expose junior curlers to a competitive format similar to national events and use the experience in their preparations towards participating in provincial championships and possibly at a Canadian Junior Curling Championship. This program continues to be successful today.
Brenda implemented the first Skills Award Program on PEI in 1999 under the auspices of the PEI Curling Association. All clubs were provided with training manuals and guidelines from the Association. The junior curlers were tested and depending on their skill levels received badges. This program was well received in all the clubs and the curlers enjoyed the process.
In 1994, Brenda founded and chaired the first Cornwall Junior Cashspiel. Her vision was to give PEI junior teams the opportunity to play against competitive teams from other provinces and gain valuable experience prior to provincial playdowns. She also organized the first junior funspiel sponsored by McCains. In its tenth year, it is now hosted at the Charlottetown Curling Club with many young teams participating.
In 2001 she organized the Tim Horton’s Little Rock program in the PEI curling clubs. She was successful in securing Tim Horton’s sponsorship, supplying vests and curling brooms to the teams so that when they went to other clubs for Little Rock spiels that they would be dressed as teams.
Brenda served as the Junior Club Coordinator at the Cornwall Curling Club from 1998 to 2003 and was the Cornwall Curling Club’s delegate to the PEI Curling Association in 1995-96. She also served on the board of the PEI Coaches Association from 1999 to 2003.
Curlers honoured at 2nd annual ADL Awards Night (new version with pictures)
Posted Friday, June 13, 2008 by derekm
The second annual 2nd Amalgamated Dairies Limited/PEI Curling Association Curling Awards were held Thursday night at the Charlottetown Curling Club, with PEICA Past President Dave Murphy as Master of Ceremonies.
Dave started the evening by congratulating all the provincial winners from the past season, along with the clubs and volunteers who helped make the provincial championships a success.
He thanked sponsor ADL, Sport PEI and the PEI Government's Community, Cultural Affairs and Labour department for their support throughout the year.
The following are the categories, nominees and winners, along with a brief description of each winner's accomplishments over the past season:
Junior Male:
Tim Cullen, Spencer Pitre, Sam Ramsay. Winner: Spencer Pitre
Spencer Pitre skipped a his team to the runner up position at the 2008 Pepsi Juniors, losing to 3 time champion Brett Gallant Rink. Spencer then went on to win the A final at the Sylvan Learning 17 and Under Championships where he finished second to hot Sam Ramsay rink. Coached by Roger Gavin, Spencer has been the ultimate leader on and off the ice and is one of the more competitive junior curlers we have today. Out of the Western Community Curling Club, your 2008 Junior Curler of the Year, Spencer Pitre.
Junior Female
Sarah Fullerton, Sara MacRae, Michelle McQuaid. Winner: MIchelle McQuaid
Michelle McQuaid has been mate on a very good Sarah Fullerton team for the past few years and deserves all recognition coming her way.
Michelle was on the winning team for the 17 & Under Provincial Championships this year and then went on to win the Under 18 Atlantic Championships in Truro, NS. Michelle with the team were in the running in all their events this year as well .
Very well respected in the curling clubs and community, out of the Cornwall Curling Club your 2008 Junior Female of the Year, Michelle McQuaid.
Adult Male
Bill Hope, Ted MacFadyen, Bob MacWilliams. Winner: Ted MacFadyen
Ted MacFadyen had a busy year competing in PEICA events.
He first skipped his team to a final 8 berth at the 2008 Labatt Tankard Playdowns. He then led his team to his 6th title at the PEI Credit Union Senior Championships, where he lost his second game in the draw and then won out the remainder to win the title. Out of the Ch'town Curling Club, the 2008 Adult Male of the year winner is Ted MacFadyen.
Adult Female
Stefanie Clark, Barb Currie, Sandy Hope. Winner: Barb Currie
Barb Currie out of the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club had another good year on the Senior's circuit, Being on the Senior Mixed winning team abd then winning her 3rd Credit Union Senior Championships in 4 years and 4th overall by winning an exciting 7-6 game in the final over 2-time champion Shirley Berry. Currie went to finish with a 5-6 record at the National Seniors Curling Championships, finishing 8th overall.
Coach
Robbie Doherty, Roger Gavin, Al Ledgerwood
Al Ledgerwood has been very active over the years coaching at all levels; however 2008 Al really stood out with some great results. First he coached the Shelley Bradley rink to a runner up finish at the 2008 Provincial Scotties, and then coached the Ted MacFadyen rink that made the final 8 Men's Play downs at the Provincial Labatt Tankard. He then coached that same team to winning their 6th provincial title at the Credit Union Senior Championships. Not only did he do that but also coached the Barb Currie rink to her 4th title at the same event. With these results Al is well deserved of the award.
Official
Helen Robbins, Marilyn Sutherland, Gloria Wood
Gloria Wood has had a busy year officiating for the Prince Edward Island Curling Association. She started the season off in Summerside where she officiated at the Credit union Provincial Seniors. Gloria then was the head official at the Intermediate Provincial Championships in O'leary, and finally finished up with officiating at the 15 and under event in Crapaud. Gloria very dedicated to helping out as much as she can and is very deserving of this award. You're 2008 Official of the year, Gloria Wood.
Volunteer
Audrey Callaghan, Barry Pineau, Ron Matters
The Crapaud Curling club has benefited greatly from the work of Ron Matters, ably assisted by his family. Ron was a tremendous help in running the Labatt Tankard, our premiere men's event of the PEICA. He also was a huge influence on the success of the 15 and 12 and under events. Ron contributes his time and support in every area required for the club, and was a source of sound advice when asked. Your 2008 Volunteer of the year is Ron Matters.
Team
Sarah Fullerton, Michelle McQuaid, Madeline Campbell/Whitney Young, Sara MacRae, Rebecca Jean MacPhee (coach)
Bob MacWilliams, Al MacCormac, Roy Coffin, Jim Farquharson
Sam Ramsay, Neil Gallant, Eric Pidgeon/Brett Gallant, Justin Richard, Peter Pidgeon (coach)
The co-winners of the year, Sam Ramsay and Sarah Fullerton rinks, both had outstanding seasons. The Ramsay rink, coached by Peter Pidgeon, showed a lot of hard work and dedication this season, winning back-to-back provincial 17 & under titles and going to Truro to win the Atlantic event. The Fullerton team had the same kind of season, winning their second 17 & Under Provincial title in 3 years, and along with coach Rebecca Jean MacPhee went on to win at the Atlantic event n Truro, to complete the sweep for the PEI rinks.
Photo L-R: Dave Murphy - PEICA Past-President and Master of Ceremonies, Michelle McQuaid - Junior Female winner, Ted MacFadyen, Adult Male Winner, Barb Currie, Adult Female Winner, Barrie MacWilliams - ADL
Photo L-R: Dave Murphy - PEICA Past President and Master of Ceremonies, Sam Ramsay, Eric Pidgeon, Peter Pidgeon, Barrie MacWilliams - ADL
Dave Murphy, PEICA Past-President and Master of Ceremonies, Sarah Fullerton, Michelle McQuaid, Sara MacRae, Barrie MacWilliams
Sounds Fantastic Early Bird Challenge
Posted Saturday, May 31, 2008 by derekm
Early Bird Challenge
September 19-21, 2008
Open to: Men’s, Ladies’, Mixed, Junior and Senior Teams
This is an invitation to the Fourth annual Sounds Fantastic Early Bird Challenge Prize Spiel, which will run from Sept. 19-21, 2008 at Curling Beausejour in Moncton, N.B. Teams which participated in the event last year will have a spot held for them until July 15TH. After this date entries will be accepted on a first received basis. This event is open to Men’s, Ladies’, Mixed, Junior, and Senior teams. We are accepting 20 teams, and will guarantee a minimum of 5 games each.
The format will be a 4 division round-robin to qualify 8 teams (top two teams in each division). The entry fee is $535 (ACT fees) for all Men’s and Jr. Men’s teams & $500 for all other teams. Based on a full 20 team field we will be playing for a total value of $12,500 in electronic prizes, with the winner of the Sounds Fantastic Early Bird Challenge receiving $4000.00 in electronic prizes, qualifier’s guaranteed to receive $720 in electronic prizes.
For team entries please make a cheque payable to: Curling Beausejour Inc. A postdated (full entry fee) cheque dated Aug. 20th, 2008 must accompany entry.
Please send team entries with postdated cheque to: Grant Odishaw
55 Kenmore Drive
Moncton, N.B. E1A 4J7
_____ Team Entry Fee of $535 or $500 Enclosed H: 383-1501 W: 858-5949
Email: grant@wedgewoodhall.com
Team Profile
Skip:_______________________ Third:__________________________
Second:_____________________ Lead:__________________________
Team Contact: ___________________________
Phone:(h)_______________(w)______________
Email: __________________________________
Curling Beausejour, 22 Essex St. , Moncton NB , E1C 3B8 (506)857-4285
CCA President Al Forsythe welcomes Ray McCourt as incoming PEICA Pres.
Posted Saturday, May 31, 2008 by derekm
Photo L-R: Al Forsythe, President, Canadian Curling Association, Ray McCourt, incoming President, PEI Curling Association
Ray McCourt of Summerside was elected President of the PEI Curling Association at its Annual General Meeting, held this week in Crapaud. McCourt is a former president of the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club, and chaired the fundraising committee for the 2006 Canadian Seniors Curling Championships in Summerside. Canadian Curling Association President Al Forsythe was on hand to congratulate McCourt on his new post. In his remarks, McCourt told the attendees that, as President, he will not try to reinvent the wheel, but will do his best to ensure a smooth operation next year.
Forsythe, from Moncton, was an invited guest for the meeting, and remarked that there was a lot going on in the Maritimes. He mentioned that a past-president of the PEI Curling Association, Shirley Lank, is running for membership on the Canadian Curling Association Board of Directors at their Annual General Meeting in mid-June, that he is personally involved with the organization of the World Men's Curling Championships in Moncton in 2009, and that the Scotties Tournament of Hearts will be held "somewhere in the Maritimes" within the next few years (Charlottetown is putting in a bid to host the 2011 Scotties). He also mentioned the 2009 Canadian Seniors in Summerside, and remarked that curling is doing well at the local level, with he and members of his family having recently participated in the successful "Meltdown" bonspiel at the Crapaud Community Curling Club.
On the national front, Forsythe said that the CCA, which had financial difficulties last season, is hard at work with its new governance model, under the financial helm of new CEO Greg Stremlaw, and have had a "really good year" financially, with a projected $2.6 million turnaround over last season, with over $1.5 million realized by selling the TV rights to the Olympic pre-trials and trials. In the upcoming season they are also hosting the first national sporting championship north of the Arctic Circle, the Canadian Mixed in Nunavut, and, thanks to sponsors, will be able to do it for less cost there than elsewhere. Forsythe's term as CCA president ends on June 22nd.
Other PEICA officers for the 2008-2009 season are: 1st Vice-President Melody Beck from the Cornwall Curling Club, 2nd Vice-President Audrey Callaghan from the Western Community Curling Club in Alberton, Secretary Derek MacEwen from the Cornwall Curling Club, and Past President David Murphy, from the Charlottetown and Cornwall clubs. The Treasurer position is an appointment, to be approved at the next PEICA meeting. Bev McCormick of Cornwall is the incumbent. Greg Lucas is Executive Director of the Association.
PEI Curling Association sets Ch'ship dates and locations for 2008-2009 Season
Posted Saturday, May 31, 2008 by derekm
At its Annual General Meeting this week in Crapaud, the PEI Curling Association announced the following provincial championships venues and dates for the 2008-2009 season:
Event Location Dates
Senior Mixed (50 & Over): Western Community Curling Club in Alberton, Dec 11-14
Junior Mixed (20 & Under): Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club in Summerside, Dec. 27-30
Pepsi Junior (20 & Under): Charlottetown Curling Club, Jan 2-6
PEI Credit Unions Seniors (50 and over): Cornwall Curling Club, Jan 15-19
Scotties Tournament of Hearts (women's) : Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club in Summerside, Jan 22-26
Masters (60 & Over): Maple Leaf Curling Club in O’Leary , Jan 26-29
Labatt Tankard Men’s Open: Western Community Curling Club in Alberton, Jan 29-Feb 3
Labatt Tankard Men's Final 8: Montague, Feb 10-15
Sylvan Learning 17 & Under: Western Community Curling Club in Alberton, Feb 19-23
M&M Meat Shops 15 & Under: Montague Curling Club, Feb. 26-Mar 1
M&M Meat Shops Mixed: Maple Leaf Curling Club in O’Leary, Feb 26-Mar 1
Stick Curling: Cornwall Curling Club, Mar 2-4
KFC 12 & Under: Montague Curling Club, Mar 5-8
Intermediate: Crapaud Community Curling Club, Mar 13-15|
Note that start and end dates may vary by a day or two, depending on number of teams participating.
The Junior Mixed, for mixed teams age 20 and under, is a new event, subject to sufficient signup and to obtaining a sponsor.
In recent round table discussions held in Summerside and Charlottetown, a new playoff format, which combines a triple knockout draw with a Page playdown, was discussed. It is planned to pilot this format at the Senior Mixed in December. If it is successful, it may be used in other events.
Other changes for the upcoming season will include the addition of an online signup and payment option for events. Entry fees will remain the same, with the exception of the Pepsi Juniors, which will increase from $30 to $35 per player to ensure that the event covers expenses. Fees for the new Junior Mixed were set at $25 per player.
Jennifer Jones to play men's rinks at TSN Skins
Posted Wednesday, May 28, 2008 by derekm
(tsn.ca) Toronto, ON - TSN has announced its star-studded lineup for the second annual Casino Rama Curling Skins Game, in which reigning women's World champion, Jennifer Jones, will compete against reigning men's World champion Kevin Martin, and former World champs Glenn Howard and Randy Ferbey.
The Casino Rama Curling Skins Game takes place January 10 and 11, 2009 and will air live on TSN and TSN HD.
This marks the first time a woman's rink will compete against men's rinks in a TSN Skins game.
"Jennifer Jones captivated an entire nation this year with her outstanding performances at the Canadian and World championships. She is an extremely competitive curler and her talents and accomplishments could not be overlooked as an invitee for this year's Skins game," said Phil King, President, TSN. "Along with Martin, Howard and Ferbey, this year's competition is stronger than ever."
The four competing skips boast an impressive list of achievements consisting of a combined eight World championships and 12 Canadian titles.
The Casino Rama Curling Skins Game is coming off a highly successful inaugural season in 2007, whereby Martin defeated Wayne Middaugh to win the title and $61,000, bringing Martin's career TSN Skins winnings to $346,350 (all figures Cdn). The made-for-TV original TSN production is an annual all-Canadian event featuring four Canadian rinks competing for a total cash purse of $100,000 (Cdn). The event consists of two semifinals on Saturday, Jan. 10, with the winners advancing to the final on Sunday, Jan. 11.
"The Skins game format rewards aggressive play and great execution. The four teams participating this year all utilize the perfect game plan for Skins and have made big shots en route to winning World titles. The only question now is which team can remain confident and perform these skills under immense pressure as the cash grows," said Linda Moore, TSN curling analyst for 19 years.
The Casino Rama Curling Skins Game uses a single-elimination format whereby anything can happen, as the winner is decided by total prize money and not total points.
Beginning in 2008/09, TSN will be the exclusive Canadian home of all Season of Champions curling events. The deal between the network and the Canadian Curling Association runs through the 2013/14 season, and includes the semifinals and finals, as well as morning, afternoon and evening draws.
PEI Curling Association ADL Awards
Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008 by derekm
The PEICA is accepting award nominations for its upcoming ADL awards for the following categories: Jr male/female, Sr male/female, Volunteer, Coach, Official and Team of the year. Please pass on all nominations with 2-3 reasons why you nominated them to glucas@sportpei.pe.ca or call Greg Lucas at 902-368-4986 for more information. Deadline for nominations is Friday, May 23rd.
Silver Fox preparing for national Senior curling ch'ships
Posted Wednesday, May 14, 2008 by derekm
The Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club in Summerside is preparing to host its fourth Canadian Curling Association championship.
The 2009 Canadian senior curling championships will be held March 21-29 and marks the second time this event will be staged at The Fox and the third time on PEI.
Click to view this story in today's Journal-Pioneer.
Curl in August at the Summer Spud
Posted Tuesday, April 29, 2008 by derekm
The 19th Annual Summer Spud Fun Mixed Curling Bonspiel takes place August 7-10 at the Crapaud Community Curling Club, and includes four days of summer “fun” curling, a lobster extravaganza, a companion 18-hole golf tournament, and many other off-ice activities, including:
- Pool party, Thursday afternoon
- Barbeque Reception and Golf Awards, Thursday evening
- Entertainment, Friday and Saturday evenings
- Mussel Bake, Sunday
The bonspiel will consist of 56 local and off-Island teams. All teams are guaranteed at least three games, with prizes awarded to the winner and runner-up in the championship and other divisions. The golf tournament is scheduled for Thursday, August 7th. Curling will begin on Friday, August 8th.
Entry fee is $320 per team, plus $40 per non-curling guest, $35 per person for golf, and $25 per golf cart (first come, first served).
For more information, contact Andrew Robinson at (902)367-5778 (h). (902)437-6666 (w) or email andrew@robinsons.pe.ca.
Entry form and complete details available at www.summerspud.com.
Links: Website Entry form
Silver Fox to host 2009 Canadian Seniors.
Posted Monday, April 21, 2008 by derekm
OTTAWA, April 21, 2008…The Canadian Curling Association today announced the dates and sites for the 2009 Canadian Seniors, 2009 Canadian Wheelchair and the 2010 Canadian Mixed curling championships.
The 2009 Canadian senior men’s and women’s championships will be held, once again, at the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, March 22-29.
Prince Edward Island previously hosted the 1976 Canadian senior women’s and 1982 Canadian senior men’s, both in Charlottetown, before Summerside staged the 2006 Canadian Seniors, won that year by Ontario’s Anne Dunn and Northern Ontario’s Al Hackner, who then represented Canada at the 2007 world seniors in Edmonton, where both finished second.
Manitoba has won a leading 10 Canadian senior men’s crowns since the event began in 1965 in Port Arthur, Ontario. Prince Edward Island has three victories, all by skip Dr. Wen MacDonald. Ontario has won a leading 10 women’s titles since the inaugural championship in 1973 in Ottawa, while ‘The Island’ has yet to win one, though. The men’s and women’s events were held separately until being combined in 1985 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
The 2009 winners will then represent Canada at the 2010 world seniors, at a site and date to be announced. This year’s Canadian Seniors winners, Saskatchewan’s Eugene Hritzuk and British Columbia’s Pat Sanders, who earned their titles in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in March, will carry Canada’s colours at the 2009 world seniors, scheduled for April 24-May 3, 2009 in Dunedin, New Zealand.
The 2007 Canadian senior champions, Alberta’s Pat Ryan and Diane Foster, both won gold medals at the 2008 world seniors in March in Vierumäki, Finland.
The 2009 Canadian Wheelchair championship will be held March 23-28 at the Lakeshore Curling Club in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. Last month, British Columbia, skipped by Jim Armstrong, retained its national crown by edging Ontario, 8-6 in the final, held at the West Kildonan Curling Club in Winnipeg, where eight teams competed for the Canadian title.
The 2010 Canadian Mixed will be hosted by the Burlington Golf & Country Club in Burlington, Ontario, November 15-22, 2009. Beginning with the 2004-05 season, The Mixed was no longer part of curling’s televised Season of Champions. As such, its annual championship was moved to November of the previous year.
The 2008 Canadian Mixed was held in Calgary last November and won by Alberta’s Dean Ross, a leading ninth time for the province since the championship began in 1964 in Toronto. Ontario has won the Mixed twice, in 1986 by skip Dave Van Dine in Kamloops and by skip John Epping at the 2006 renewal in Whitehorse.
The 2009 Canadian Mixed will be played this November in Iqaluit, Nunavut, marking the first time a national sport championship has been staged in the Territory.
The 2008-09 Canadian and world curling championship calendar is now as follows:
2009 Canadian Mixed - November 9-16, 2008, Iqaluit, Nunavut
2008 Continental Cup - December 18-21, 2008, Camrose, Alberta
2009 M&M Meat Shops Canadian Juniors - January 31-February 8, Salmon Arm, British Columbia
2009 World Wheelchair - February 21-28, Vancouver, British Columbia
2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts - February 21-March 1, Victoria, British Columbia
2009 World Juniors - March 5-15, Vancouver, British Columbia
2009 Tim Hortons Brier - March 7-15, Calgary, Alberta
2009 Canada Cup - March 18-22, Yorkton, Saskatchewan
2009 World Women’s - March 21-29, Gangneung, Korea
2009 Canadian Seniors - March 22-29, Summerside, Prince Edward Island
2009 Canadian Wheelchair - March 23-28, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
2009 Ford World Men’s - April 4-12, Moncton, New Brunswick
2009 World Mixed Doubles - April 18-26, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
2009 World Seniors - April 24-May 3, Dunedin, New Zealand
Brett Gallant rink wins Team of the Year at Sport PEI awards
Posted Thursday, April 17, 2008 by derekm
The Brett Gallant rink were named as the Island Petroleum Team of the Year at the 34th annual Sport PEI awards banquet last night at the Rodd Royalty Inn in Charlottetown.
L-R: Brett Gallant, Adam Casey, Anson Carmody, Alex MacFadyen, Kathie Gallant
The team, which includes third Adam Casey, second Anson Carmody, and lead Alex MacFadyen, and is coached by Kathie Gallant, won two national medals in 2007.
Click to read more coverage of the awards banquet from The Guardian.
Canada golden at world men’s
Posted Sunday, April 13, 2008 by derekm
Sunday, April 13, 2008 | Source: Canadian Curling Association
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, April 13…Canada’s Kevin Martin finally won his first world title, defeating Scotland’s David Murdoch, 6-3 in the gold medal final of the world men’s curling championship, Sunday at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
It was the 41-year-old Martin’s first world crown, after years of disappointment, while settling for silver at the 1986 world juniors, 1991 worlds and 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
“It feels great,” said Martin, a three-time Canadian men’s champion, about now being called a ‘world champion’. “We felt we had to come up in the low 90’s (shooting percentage) to have a chance against those guys. It was a good effort by everybody. It certainly does (lift a weight off my shoulders). No question about that. It feels good. I sure appreciated the emails, all the letters, the phone calls from all the people around Canada the last week. We felt, if we just kept our emotions in check, we thought we’d have a good chance and we did.”
It’s the 31st world men’s title for Canada since the championship began in 1959. The victory also gave Canada a sweep of the women’s and men’s crowns this year, following Jennifer Jones’s triumph in Vernon, British Columbia on March 30. Last year, Canada swept the world titles as well, with Kelly Scott winning the women’s in Aomori, Japan and Glenn Howard taking the men’s in Edmonton.
In addition, the win gave Martin’s team an automatic berth into the 2009 Tim Hortons Canadian Curling Trials, which will be held in Edmonton, December 6-13, to determine Canada’s representatives for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The world men’s was the third qualifying event he’s won, after taking last year’s Players’ Championship and this year’s Brier.
Martin’s Edmonton team of third John Morris, second Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert took control early in the match, even without hammer, courtesy of a couple of Murdoch misses.
After a blanked first end, Murdoch missed a runback double, allowing Martin to steal one. In the third, the 29-year-old Scottish skip hit and rolled too far with his last, counting only one instead of a possible deuce.
Martin then blanked the fourth end, before taking a pair in the fifth with a nifty angle raise, chipping out a Murdoch counter, for a 3-1 lead at the break. The sixth end was blanked before another Martin steal in the seventh made it 4-1. In the eighth end, Murdoch was able to score a deuce to tighten the contest, 4-3.
But in the ninth, Martin made a nose hit double to count two, after a measure, for a commanding 6-3 lead coming home, before running Murdoch out of rocks in the 10th.
Today’s final was a far cry from the Page 1-2 game on Friday night, when Murdoch stole singles in the seventh, ninth and 10th ends to stun Canada, 7-6. In fact, it was only Martin doing the stealing today, swiping singles in the second and seventh ends.
Shooting percentages also told the story, as once again, Canada was on fire. Martin held an 89%-78% edge over Murdoch, Morris and Kennedy both recorded 95% while Hebert registered 85% for a team average of 91%, six points better than Scotland’s 85%.
It was a bit disappointed the way we played, actually,” said Murdoch, who won the 2006 world men’s title in Lowell, Massachusetts and has now added another silver to his résume, after finishing the runner-up to Canada’s Randy Ferbey in 2005 as well. “We had a lot of chances, especially early on. A bit of hard luck and some tough breaks. But those guys (Canada) played well all week so they deserved it.”
Martin wound up with a 12-2 overall record, losing only to China during the round robin, then to Scotland in the Page 1-2 game, before winning the semi-final on Saturday over Norway, prior to today’s triumph.
An attendance record for a United States city hosting a world curling championship was also set, with a final tally of 48,699 fans.
Norway wins bronze at world men’s
Posted Sunday, April 13, 2008 by derekm
Saturday, April 12, 2008 | Source: Canadian Curling Association
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, April 12…Norway won a bronze medal at the world men’s curling championship Saturday evening at Ralph Engelstad Arena, defeating China, 8-3.
Skipped by Oslo’s Thomas Ulsrud, Norway, coming off a 5-4 loss to Canada’s Kevin Martin in the semi-final Saturday afternoon, rebounded to defeat Fengchun Wang’s Harbin team for the second consecutive time.
Tied 2-2 after five ends, Ulsrud counted three in the sixth, then put the game away with a steal of a deuce in the seventh.
It was the second bronze medal for Ulsrud at the world men’s championship. In 2006, at Lowell, Massachusetts, he also won bronze after losing the semi-final to eventual gold medallist, Scotland’s David Murdoch.
“It's a big deal for Norway,” said Ulsrud. “I think people are happy back home. We had a new team and a good week. Maybe we can get some good funding (with the bronze). Third place? I would take that, if you asked me before the week.”
Despite the loss, China enjoyed a tremendous week itself, in its world men’s curling championship debut. It finished third after the round robin, with a 7-4 mark, before losing the Page 3-4 game to Norway 7-5 Friday afternoon and tonight’s bronze medal affair.
But the week’s highlights included a 6-5 extra end win over Canada on Wednesday, handing skip Kevin Martin his only loss during the round robin, as China strung together a five-game win streak to make the playoffs.
Coming on the heels of China’s Bingyu Wang’s silver medal at the Ford world women’s last month in Vernon, British Columbia, it’s been quite a ride for the country in the curling world in the past three weeks.
Its fourth place finish here was also worth nine Olympic qualifying points, likely more than enough to earn China a berth in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
On Sunday, Scotland’s David Murdoch of Lockerbie faces Canada’s Kevin Martin of Edmonton for the gold medal, live at 2:30 pm on CBC-TV and cbcsports.ca.
Canada has won 30 world men’s championships since 1959 while Scotland has captured four. Murdoch won the 2006 world men’s in Lowell while Martin is still seeking his first world title.
Canada earns rematch with Scotland in world men’s final
Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 by derekm
Saturday, April 12, 2008 | Source: Canadian Curling Association
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, April 12…Canada’s Kevin Martin will get a chance to settle the score with Scotland’s David Murdoch, when the top two teams of the week clash Sunday in the world men’s curling championship final at Ralph Engelstad Arena (live on CBC-TV and cbcsports.ca at 3:30 pm AT).
Saturday afternoon, Martin advanced to the final by defeating Norway’s Thomas Ulsrud, 5-4 in the semi-final, when the Oslo skip was only able to steal a meaningless single in the 10th end after Martin hit and stayed with his last, eliminating another Norwegian counter.
There wasn’t a whole lot of action in the semi-final after Martin took his second deuce in the third end for a 4-1 lead. The next three ends were blanked until Ulsrud was forced to take one in the seventh.
Martin responded with a single in the eighth, before Ulsrud was forced to make a draw to the button for one in the ninth.
Now, Martin will get another chance to win a world title, after earning silver medals at the 1986 world juniors (losing to Scotland), 1991 worlds (losing to Scotland) and 2002 Olympic Winter Games (losing to Norway’s Pål Trulsen).
He also finished fourth in his last appearance at the worlds in 1997 in Berne, losing one of the semi-finals to eventual winner, Sweden’s Peja Lindholm, before dropping the bronze medal game to Scotland’s Hammy McMillan. It’s the only hole in a spectacular résume for the three-time Canadian men’s champion.
“We just wanted to get back on the horse (after last night’s loss),” said Martin. “The boys responded well. That’s what it’s all about…trying to get experience here with this new team and be ready for 2010. We’re in the final again and hopefully we can finish one off. But I don’t look in the rear view mirror very often. We’ll give her a go tomorrow.”
The entire Martin team shot the light outs today. Lead Ben Hebert was 92%, second Marc Kennedy, 95%, third John Morris, 91% and Martin 94% for a 93% team average.
Martin’s Edmonton team finished the round robin in first place with a 10-1 record, including a victory over Scotland, 6-5. But in Friday night’s Page 1-2 game, it was Murdoch’s time to turn the tables, as the Scots literally stole the victory, 7-6, with single thefts in the seventh, ninth and 10th ends, to advance to the final.
Thus, Martin had to play in today’s semi-final and win in order to get another crack at Scotland in the gold medal rubber-match.
Since Martin lost the Page 1-2 game, Scotland had choice of hammer or colour for the final and chose hammer. Martin selected red rocks, which he won with today.
“The red rocks are definitely superior in the building, so it will be good to have them,” Martin continued. “We played well all week, just stumbled on one shot yesterday and bounced back good today. We’ll go right after them (Scotland). We outplayed them for two hours and 45 minutes yesterday.”
With the loss, Ulsrud must now regroup and get ready for the bronze medal game tonight at 8:00 pm ET against China’s Fengchun Wang of Harbin (live on CBC’s digital channel, bold). Norway beat China, 7-5 in yesterday’s Page 3-4 game.
“In the first end, we had a pretty good chance, but I was a bit heavy with my shot and gave Kevin quite an easy shot for a deuce,” explained Ulsrud. “In the third, I was a bit heavy again, touching the guard. From there on, we were struggling. For sure, I think they showed today why they are the number one team in the world. If you get down to them, like we did today, you’ve got to be really lucky to get back.”
Canada has won a leading 30 world men’s titles since 1959, including last year’s victory by Glenn Howard at the Ford world men's in Edmonton. Sweden is next with five titles.
Murdoch, who defeated Canada’s Jean-Michel Ménard in 2006 in Lowell, Massachusetts to win his first world men’s championship, will be seeking a fifth title for Scotland.
Scotland rallies to defeat Canada and advances to world men’s final
Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 by derekm
Friday, April 11, 2008 | Source: Canadian Curling Association
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, April 11…Scotland’s David Murdoch fashioned a tremendous second half rally to edge Canada’s Kevin Martin, 7-6 in the Page Playoff 1 vs 2 game Friday evening at Ralph Engelstad Arena and advance to Sunday’s final of the world men’s curling championship.
Murdoch, who won the 2006 world men’s title in Lowell, Massachusetts, was down 6-2 at the fifth end break, after coughing up a pair of three’s to Martin’s Edmonton squad in the second and fourth ends.
But things tightened up after that, as Lockerbie’s Murdoch took a deuce in the sixth, then stole one in the seventh to narrow the gap to 6-5.
After a blanked eighth end, Martin tried to chip out a Murdoch stone biting the button to count three in the ninth, but was a little heavy, giving up another steal to the Scots, as the game was now tied at 6 heading to the 10th end.
Canada was able to keep the house clean for most of the final frame. Then, it all came down to a Martin staple, drawing the full four while staring at a couple of Murdoch counters.
However, inexplicably, this time he failed to make it, as his last stone didn’t curl enough, just nudging the Murdoch counter biting the four-foot, before sliding by. Thus, another steal for Scotland and a surprising 7-6 win.
“I thought it was perfect, really,” said a perplexed Martin, about his final draw. “Wasn’t worried at all, I thought it was bang on.”
While Canada held an 88%-85% team shooting percentage advantage, Murdoch actually outcurled Martin, 80%-74%.
"That showed the true character of our team," said the 29-year-old Murdoch, who is also the reigning European champion. "We're Scots, and we don't give up. We just hung in there. We knew they were going to go defensive on us... and it just worked out for us."
Martin must now play Norway’s Thomas Ulsrud in Saturday’s semi-final at 3:30 pm AT (live on CBC-TV), with the winner facing Scotland for all the marbles on Sunday, also live on CBC-TV at 3:30 pm AT.
Earlier on Friday, Ulsrud defeated China’s Fengchun Wang, 7-5 in the Page 3-4 game to advance to the semi-final. China goes to Saturday evening’s bronze medal game at 9:00 pm AT (live on CBC’s digital channel, bold), to await the loser of the semi-final.
Canada’s games are also being webstreamed at cbcsports.ca.
Martin, a three-time Canadian men’s champion who is still looking for his first world title after settling for silver at the 1986 world juniors, 1991 worlds and 2002 Olympic Winter Games, finished the round robin with a sterling 10-1 mark, losing only to China. He also had defeated Scotland, 6-5 last Monday in Draw 8.
Now, he faces the prospect of having to win two games in a row in order to claim that elusive first world crown and a leading 31st title for Canada since 1959.
Murdoch’s record at the world men’s is pretty impressive. In his 2005 debut, he finished second to Canada’s Randy Ferbey in Victoria, British Columbia. In 2006, he defeated Canada’s Jean-Michel Ménard in the final in Lowell.
Now, after an 8-3 round robin record and a win in the Page 1-2 game, he awaits either another Canadian foe, Martin, or Norway’s Ulsrud, whom he defeated in the 2006 semi-final, in seeking a fifth world title for Scotland.
Playoff pairings set at world men’s
Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 by derekm
Thursday, April 10, 2008 | Source: Canadian Curling Association
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, April 10…The playoff pairings have been established at the world men’s curling championship, after Draw 17 concluded in dramatic fashion Thursday evening at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
It appeared at one point that there would be two tiebreakers needed to determine the fourth place finisher, after Australia, skipped by Hugh Millikin of Sydney, suddenly rallied to go in front of Norway’s Thomas Ulsrud of Oslo, 7-5, heading into the 10th end.
But Ulsrud not only counted a deuce to tie the game, he eventually won it, 9-7, by stealing a pair in the 11th, crushing any tiebreaker hopes of not only Australia, but also France.
Thus, with no tiebreakers required, the top four teams are set for the Page Playoffs.
Canada, skipped by Kevin Martin of Edmonton, finished in top spot with a 10-1 record after humbling the United States, 10-4 in its final game. Scotland (David Murdoch of Lockerbie) wound up second with an 8-3 mark, after beating Denmark, 7-4.
China (Fengchun Wang of Harbin), which had a bye, and Norway finished tied for third with 7-4 records, but since China had defeated Norway, 8-7 Thursday afternoon, it was placed third, Norway fourth.
In the other Draw 17 game, Sweden counted three in the 10th end to defeat Czech Republic, 8-6.
Thus, Canada will face Scotland in the Page Playoff 1 vs 2 game, Friday at 9:00 pm AT. The game will be webstreamed at cbcsports.ca. Canada defeated Scotland, 6-5 in Draw 8 on Monday night.
The winner will advance directly to Sunday’s final at 3:30 pm AT,while the loser goes to Saturday’s semi-final at 3:30 pm AT.. Both the semi-final and final will be televised live in Canada on CBC-TV.
China, making its world men’s debut, will once again meet Norway in the Page 3 vs 4 game Friday afternoon at 4:00 pm AT. The winner will also advance to Saturday afternoon’s semi-final. The loser will go to the bronze medal game, scheduled for 8:00 pm AT on Saturday, to await the loser of the semi-final.
Behind the top four came France (Thomas Dufour of Chamonix) at 6-5, followed by Australia (Hugh Millikin of Sydney), United States (Craig Brown of Madison, Wisconsin) and Germany (Andy Kapp of Füssen), all at 5-6.
Denmark (Johnny Frederiksen of Hvidovre) and Sweden (Anders Kraupp of Danderyd) were next at 4-7, with Switzerland (Claudio Pescia of Zurich) at 3-8 and Czech Republic (Jiri Snitil of Prague), 2-9. After starting 2-0 in their world men’s debut, the Czechs lost nine straight.
In addition to world honours, the 12 competing countries are also battling for qualifying points for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
Canada has won a leading 30 world men’s titles since 1959, including last year’s victory by Glenn Howard. Sweden is next with five titles, followed by Scotland and United States with four wins apiece.
Playoff picture taking shape at world men’s
Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 by derekm
Wednesday, April 09, 2008 | Source: Canadian Curling Association
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, April 9…With three draws remaining in the round robin of the world men’s curling championship, the playoff picture is coming more into focus.
Canada, skipped by Kevin Martin of Edmonton, has clinched first place, even though it still has to play Switzerland and the United States on Thursday at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Currently 8-1, with its only loss coming, shockingly, at the hands of China on Wednesday morning, Canada could finish 8-3 at worst. Only Scotland and/or Norway, presently at 6-3, could tie that mark, but since Canada has beaten them both, it would be awarded top spot anyway.
That means Canada will play in the Page Playoff 1 vs 2 game Friday afternoon, live at 3:00 pm ET on CBC-TV’s digital channel, bold. All Canadian games are also being webstreamed at cbcsports.ca.
Norway and Scotland are now tied for second with 6-3 records. Norway, skipped by Thomas Ulsrud of Oslo, won a huge battle against France (Thomas Dufour of Chamonix), 6-4 in Draw 14 Wednesday evening, breaking open a tight affair with three in the seventh end. Norway finishes up with two tough games against China and Australia.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s David Murdoch of Lockerbie took care of Switzerland’s Claudio Pescia, 6-4 but faces Germany and Denmark on Thursday.
Australia (Hugh Millikin of Sydney), China, France and United States are deadlocked at 5-4. China (Fengchun Wang of Harbin), coming off a startling upset of Canada, 6-5 in Draw 12, whipped Czech Republic (2-7), 7-3, while United States (Craig Brown of Madison, Wisconsin) proved an 8-5 winner over Germany’s Andy Kapp, last year’s world silver medallist, who suffered his fifth consecutive defeat to fall to 4-5.
Thursday’s final round robin draws are at 11:00 am, 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm Atlantic. At the conclusion of the round robin, the top four teams advance to the playoffs. Under the Page Playoff system, the first and second place teams meet in one game, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s gold medal final, the loser to Saturday’s semi-final. Both the semi-final and final can be seen live in Canada on CBC-TV.
The third and fourth place teams clash in the other game, with the winner also advancing to the semi-final. Resurrected this year is the bronze medal game on Saturday evening, which will pair the loser of the semi-final against the loser of the Page 3-4 game.
Twelve countries are battling for world honours in Grand Forks, in addition to earning qualifying points for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
Canada has won a leading 30 world men’s titles since 1959, including last year’s victory by Glenn Howard. Sweden is next with five titles, followed by Scotland and United States with four wins apiece.
Canada widens margin at world men’s
Posted Wednesday, April 9, 2008 by derekm
Tuesday, April 08, 2008 | Source: Canadian Curling Association
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, April 8….There just seems to be no stopping the Martin Express, at least so far, through 11 draws of the 50th edition of the world men’s curling championship at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Tuesday evening, Canada’s Kevin Martin dismantled Germany’s Andy Kapp, 9-4 to improve his unblemished record to 7-0 and widen the lead to three games over a pack of pursuers.
Martin came out guns ablazing, counting three in the first end, before taking a deuce in the third and a quick 5-1 lead over the Füssen veteran, who won a silver medal at last year’s Ford world men’s in Edmonton.
It was 7-2 after six ends and after another Martin deuce in the ninth, Kapp called it quits. It was the second loss of the day for Germany, which dropped to 4-3 and into a monstrous six-way tie for second with Australia, Denmark, France, Norway and Scotland.
Seeing some brief action again tonight was the alternate for Canada, Adam Enright, who replaced lead Ben Hebert for a few ends, similar to what he did in Draw 5, while playing alongside Saville Sports Centre teammates Marc Kennedy at second and John Morris at third.
Martin is not only seeking his first world title in a storied curling career to date, but he also has a chance to become the first Canadian skip to go unbeaten at a Brier and worlds in the same year. His team was a perfect 13-0 at the Tim Hortons Brier Canadian men’s curling championship in Winnipeg last month.
In other games, China’s Fengchun Wang thumped Sweden’s Anders Kraupp, 8-2, its third win of the week in its world men’s debut. China is now tied with the United States (Craig Brown) for eighth spot, each with 3-4 records, while Sweden falls to 1-6.
Denmark’s Johnny Frederiksen continued his hot play of late with a 7-4 victory over Switzerland’s Claudio Pescia to join the logjam for second, while the Swiss, after a two-game win streak, are now 2-5, the same record as idle Czech Republic (Jiri Snitil).
In the other game, France’s Thomas Dufour of Chamonix stole a deuce in the ninth end and a single in the 10th to best Australia’s Hugh Millikin of Sydney, 6-4. The result also catapulted the French into the six-way tie for second.
Round robin play continues through Thursday, with draws at 11:00 am, 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm AT.
All of Canada’s games are being webstreamed at cbcsports.ca. CBC’s digital channel, bold, will also show Wednesday afternoon’s clash with the Czech Republic. Canada faces China in the morning.
Twelve countries are battling for world honours in Grand Forks, in addition to country qualifying points for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. At the conclusion of the round robin on Thursday, the top four teams advance to the playoffs.
Under the Page Playoff system, the first and second place teams meet in one game, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s gold medal final, the loser to Saturday’s semi-final. The third and fourth place teams clash in the other game, with the winner also advancing to the semi-final.
Resurrected this year is the bronze medal game on Saturday evening, which will pair the loser of the semi-final against the loser of the Page 3-4 game,
Canada has won a leading 30 world men’s titles since 1959, including last year’s victory by Glenn Howard. Sweden is next with five titles, followed by Scotland and United States with four wins apiece.
Increased TV Coverage and Free Access to CBC-bold during world mens
Posted Wednesday, April 9, 2008 by derekm
In response to the demand for more coverage, CBC-bold has increased their coverage of the 2008 World Men's Curling Championship and CBC-Bold is available for free to Digital Cable and Satellite subscribers until April 29th.
» Television and Webcast Schedule » CBC-bold Channels
Canada now 5-0 at world men’s
Posted Tuesday, April 8, 2008 by derekm
Monday, April 07, 2008 | Source: Canadian Curling Association
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, April 7…Canada’s Kevin Martin continues to roll at the 2008 world men’s curling championship.
Monday evening, in a much-anticipated battle with Scotland’s David Murdoch, Martin emerged victorious, but just barely, 6-5, to remain perfect at 5-0 and alone in first place after three days of competition.
The marquee matchup was a defensive struggle between the 2002 Olympic silver medallist and the 2006 world champion, as the teams were tied 3-3 after five ends. After a blanked sixth, Martin managed to steal singles in the seventh and eighth ends to go up 5-3.
However, Lockerbie’s Murdoch responded with a deuce in the ninth to tie it at five, before Martin was able to count one in the 10th for the hard-fought decision. With the loss, Scotland fell to 2-3, tied for sixth place with four other countries.
Edmonton’s Martin was undefeated at the Alberta provincial championship in February, then went 13-0 at the Tim Hortons Brier in Winnipeg in March and now has yet to taste defeat at Ralph Engelstad Arena. No Canadian team has ever gone unbeaten at the Brier and the worlds in the same year.
Meanwhile, the United States, skipped by Craig Brown of Madison, Wisconsin, missed a golden opportunity to move into a tie for second with Germany’s idle Andy Kapp, losing 7-6 to Denmark’s Johnny Frederiksen of Hvidovre. Brown was up 6-5 with the hammer playing nine, but gave up steals in the ninth and 10th ends for the bitter defeat, which dropped the United States to 3-2, a game behind Germany (4-1) and now tied with Australia and Norway. With the win, Denmark improved to 2-3.
In other Draw 8 games, Norway’s Thomas Ulsrud of Oslo improved to 3-2 by edging rival Sweden (Anders Kraupp of Danderyd), 7-5 in an extra end. The Swedes dropped to 1-4, the same record as idle Switzerland (Claudio Pescia of Zurich).
Australia (Hugh Millikin of Sydney) also went to 3-2 by defeating Czech Republic (Jiri Snitil of Prague), 8-5. For the Czechs, it was their third consecutive loss, dropping them to 2-3, the same record as Denmark and Scotland, as well as China and France, who enjoyed evening byes.
Round robin play continues Tuesday through Thursday, with draws at 11:00 am, 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm Atlantic.
On Tuesday, Canada faces Norway in the morning and Germany in the evening.
All of Canada’s games are being webstreamed at cbcsports.ca. In addition, CBC’s digital channel, bold, has added two Canadian games to its schedule - Tuesday evening’s match against Germany and Wednesday afternoon’s clash with the Czech Republic.
Canada has won a leading 30 world men’s titles since 1959, including last year’s victory by Glenn Howard at the Ford world men’s in Edmonton. Sweden is next with five titles, followed by Scotland and United States with four wins apiece.
It's never too early to sign up! Junior Cashspiels at the Fox next season
Posted Monday, April 7, 2008 by derekm
While you are sitting around watching the curling ice melt and waiting for the golf courses to open, it's time to plan for next curling season.
The following Junior (age 20 and under) cashspiels are set for next season at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club. A number of entries have already been received for the Fall Fling. Sign up now and avoid the last-minute rush!
The 3rd Fall Fling Junior Cashspiel takes place Nov. 14-16, 2008 at the Silver Fox. Entry fee is $100 per team. The 24 teams accepted are each guaranteed five games. Please post-date cheques to the entry deadline of November 1st.
Poster and Entry Form
The 7th annual Jingle Bell Junior Cashspiel takes place Dec. 12-14, 2008, at the Silver Fox. Entry fee is $100 per team. The 24 teams accepted are each guaranteed five games. Please post-date cheques to the entry deadline of December 1st.
Poster and Entry Form
The 3rd annual Spring Thaw Junior Cashspiel takes place Feb. 20-22, 2009 at the Silver Fox. Entry fee is $100 per team. The 24 teams accepted are each guaranteed five games. Please post-date cheques to the entry deadline of February 1st.
Poster and Entry Form
To enter any of these events, send your entry and payment to:
SHEILA COMPTON, 268 ALL WEATHER HIGHWAY, SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I., C1N4V4 phone 902-436-5629
e-mail pudgesc@pei.sympatico.ca
Canada, Germany share lead at world men’s. CBC bold channel adds 2 games.
Posted Monday, April 7, 2008 by derekm
Sunday, April 06, 2008 | Source: Canadian Curling Association
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, April 6… Canada’s Kevin Martin has climbed into a tie with Germany’s Andy Kapp for top spot at the world men’s curling championship, after five draws at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Sunday evening, Martin disposed of Australia, skipped by North Vancouver native Hugh Millikin, 9-3, to improve to 3-0 in the 12-nation competition. Martin held a slim 4-2 margin after five ends, but counted three in the sixth, then stole a deuce in the seventh for a 9-2 lead. Millikin came back with a single in the eighth before calling it quits.
Representing the Saville Sports Centre in Edmonton, Martin has been on quite a roll on the Canadian and international stage this year. His team went unbeaten at the Tim Hortons Brier in Winnipeg last month, finishing with a 13-0 mark. Now, the 41-year-old renowned skip, whose only hole in a brilliant curling resume is a world title, remains unbeaten at the world men’s. No Canadian team has gone undefeated in both in the same year.
The Cinderella Czechs, 2-0 entering the evening contest, were brought back to earth with an 8-4 loss to Norway’s previously winless Thomas Ulsrud. This one got out of hand early for Jiri Snitil’s Prague foursome, as Ulsrud counted three in the first end, then stole one in the second for a commanding 4-0 lead.
In other games, host United States, skipped by Craig Brown of Madison, Wisconsin, rallied with a single in the ninth end and a steal of two in the 10th to shock Scotland’s 2006 world champion David Murdoch, 7-6, while Denmark’s Johnny Frederiksen also notched his first win, a 9-5 victory of Sweden’s Anders Kraupp.
The results left Canada and idle Germany at 3-0, Czech Republic, France and United States at 2-1, Australia, China (Fengchun Wang), Denmark, Norway, Scotland and Sweden all at 1-2, with Switzerland (Claudio Pescia) the only winless squad at 0-3.
Round robin play continues Monday through Thursday, with draw times at 11:00 am, 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm Atlantic time.
Canada plays France (Thomas Dufour of Chamonix) on Monday afternoon before facing Scotland in the evening.
All of Canada’s games are being webstreamed at cbcsports.ca. In Canada, CBC-TV will televise Saturday’s semi-final and Sunday’s gold medal final, while CBC’s digital channel, bold, has added several Canadian games to its schedule - Tuesday evening’s match against Germany and Wednesday afternoon’s clash with the Czech Republic.
Canada has won a leading 30 world men’s titles since 1959, including last year’s victory by Glenn Howard at the Ford world men’s in Edmonton. Sweden is next with five titles, followed by Scotland and United States with four wins apiece.
Martin opens World Championships with win
Posted Sunday, April 6, 2008 by derekm
total team effort got Canada off to a winning start at the Men's World Curling Championship.
Kevin Martin was quick to praise his front-end sweepers in Canada's 9-3 win over Johnny Frederiksen's Denmark rink in nine ends, with lead Ben Hebert, second Marc Kennedy, and third John Morris all making key contributions in the win.
Click to read this story at CBC Sports.
Czech Republic shocks Scotland in opener at world men’s
Posted Sunday, April 6, 2008 by derekm
Saturday, April 05, 2008 | Source: Canadian Curling Association
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota, April 5….The 2008 world men’s curling championship got underway Saturday afternoon at the opulent Ralph Engelstad Arena with one of the biggest upsets in curling history.
Czech Republic, making its world men’s debut under skip Jiri Snitil of Prague, shocked Scotland’s David Murdoch, the 2006 world and reigning European champion, 7-5.
The Czechs counted two in the third end, then stole a crucial pair in the fourth to go up 5-1 over Murdoch’s Lockerbie foursome. Murdoch took a deuce in the ninth end to close the gap to 7-5, but that was as close as he could get in the opening draw stunner.
In other games, host United States, with skip Craig Brown of Madison, Wisconsin, got off to a good start, upending Norway’s Thomas Ulsrud of Oslo, 8-6. Brown’s only previous appearance at the world men’s came in 2000 in Glasgow when finishing fourth to Canada’s Greg McAulay, while Ulsrud earned a bronze medal at the 2006 world men’s in Lowell.
France, skipped by Thomas Dufour of Chamonix, scored a pair of three’s in the sixth and eighth ends en route to a 7-2 victory over China (Fengchun Wang of Harbin), which was making its world men’s debut as well.
Germany’s Andy Kapp of Füssen outlasted Switzerland’s Claudio Pescia of Zurich, 9-8. Kapp is a two-time world silver medallist, having finished the runner-up in 1997 in Berne to Sweden’s Peja Lindholm, then second again last year to Canada’s Glenn Howard at the Ford world men’s in Edmonton.
World Men's starts today. Martin, Murdoch headline the event
Posted Saturday, April 5, 2008 by derekm
Source: Canadian Curling Association
The 2008 world men’s curling championship gets underway today at the luxurious Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Twelve countries, led by Canada’s Kevin Martin and Scotland’s David Murdoch, are set to battle for the world title from April 5-13 in the 50th edition of this historic championship.
Australia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States will compete in a round robin format, leading to the Page Playoffs, whereby the first and second place teams meet in one game, with the winner advancing directly to the gold medal final on Sunday, April 13, while the loser goes to the semi-final on April 12. The third and fourth place teams will also meet, with the winner advancing to the semi-final as well.
Similar to the recently-concluded Ford world women’s in Vernon, British Columbia, a bronze medal game has been re-introduced this year and will feature the loser of the semi-final against the loser of the Page 3-4 game.
Canada’s Kevin Martin, the undefeated winner of the Tim Hortons Brier last month in Winnipeg, once again will attempt to win his first world title, after finishing second to Scotland’s David Smith in 1991 in Winnipeg and fourth to Sweden’s Peja Lindholm in 1997 in Berne. The 41-year-old Martin was also an Olympic silver medallist in 2002, losing the final to Norway’s Pål Trulsen and was runner-up at the 1986 world juniors.
Martin and his Saville Sports Centre team from Edmonton will be seeking a leading 31st title for Canada since the championship began in 1959. He’ll also be trying to give Canada a second consecutive sweep of the men’s and women’s events, joining Manitoba’s Jennifer Jones, who won the 2008 world women’s title last Sunday. Last year, British Columbia’s Kelly Scott won the world women’s crown in Aomori, Japan while Ontario’s Glenn Howard took the Ford world men’s title in Edmonton.
A Martin victory would also give his team a berth directly into the 2009 Tim Hortons Canadian Curling Trials, December 6-13 in Edmonton, as it would be his third win in qualifying events, after taking the 2007 Players’ Championship and 2008 Canadian men’s curling championship.
Scotland skip David Murdoch of Lockerbie makes only his third appearance at the world men’s. In 2006, he won gold in Lowell, Massachusetts, defeating Canada’s Jean-Michel Ménard in the final, after finishing second to Canada’s Randy Ferbey in 2005 in Victoria, British Columbia. Murdoch is also a two-time European champion, having won in 2003 and 2007.
Germany’s Andy Kapp of Füssen, a two-time European champion (1992, 1997), two-time silver medallist (1997, 2007) and three-time bronze medallist (1994, 1995, 2005) at the worlds, returns for a 10th time as skip, while Norway will be represented by Thomas Ulsrud of Oslo, who finished third at the 2006 world men’s, losing to Murdoch in the semi-final. He also lost to Murdoch in the final of the 2007 Le Gruyère European championship last December in Füssen.
Completing the field are Australia, skipped by Hugh Millikin, a North Vancouver native who will be making his 11th worlds appearance, China (Fengchun Wang), Czech Republic (Jiri Snitil), Denmark (Johnny Frederiksen), France (Thomas Dufour), Sweden (Anders Kraupp), Switzerland (Claudio Pescia) and United States (Craig Brown).
China will be making its world men’s debut, following on the heels of a very successful performance by China at the 2008 Ford world women’s, when skip Bingyu Wang won a silver medal, losing the final to Canada’s Jennifer Jones. Czech Republic is also making its world men’s debut.
In Canada, CBC-TV will provide live coverage of the semi-final, Saturday April 12, beginning with a special half-hour pre-game show at 2:00 pm ET prior to the game at 2:30 pm, and the gold medal final on Sunday, April 13 at 2:30 pm ET.
CBC’s digital channel bold (formerly Country Canada) will also carry several games…Canada’s opener against Denmark at 8:00 pm ET on Saturday, April 5, a Page playoff game on Friday, April 11 at 3:00 pm ET and the bronze medal match on April 12 at 8:00 pm ET. In addition, all of Canada’s round robin games and all playoff games will be web-streamed, live at www.cbcsports.ca.
WCTV, the television arm of the World Curling Federation, is providing daily game feeds and highlight packages for Eurosport and other international networks, while CurlTV (www.curltv.com <http://www.curltv.com> ) is offering extensive event coverage to its subscribers as well.
Draw results will be instantly available on the World Curling Federation (www.worldcurling.org <http://www.worldcurling.org> ) and Canadian Curling Association (www.curling.ca) websites. The event website is www.worldmenscurling2008.com.
In addition to a world title, Olympic qualifying points are on the line, on a 14-12-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis, as nations continue to build up points over a three-year period (2007-2009) in order to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, when 10 countries, including host Canada, will compete.
This marks the third time this decade that the United States has hosted the world men’s championship. In 2002, the Ford world men’s and women’s championships were staged in Bismarck, North Dakota and won by Canada’s Randy Ferbey and Scotland’s Jackie Lockhart, respectively. In 2006, Scotland’s David Murdoch won the world men’s in Lowell, Massachusetts.
It’s also the fourth consecutive year that the men’s and women’s championships have been conducted separately, after being held jointly from 1989-2004.
Behind Canada’s leading 30 men’s titles come Sweden, with five, then Scotland and the United States, with four victories each. Host USA’s last win, however, was back in 1978 by Bob Nichols, when the championship was played in Winnipeg.
For additional media information throughout the championship, contact Jayson Hajdu, Host Committee media chair or George Karrys, World Curling Federation Media Relations Officer, in the Arena media room at 701-777-6765, as of Friday, April 4.
Here are the team rosters for the 2008 world men’s curling championship.
2008 WORLD MEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
April 5-13, Ralph Engelstad Arena
Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
Roster (listed in order of skip, third, second, lead, alternate and coach)
AUSTRALIA
Sydney Harbour Curling Club, Sydney
Hugh Millikin (third stones)
Ian Palangio (fourth stones)
Sean Hall
Steve Johns
Steve Hewitt
Earle Morris
CANADA
Saville Sports Centre, Edmonton, Alberta
Kevin Martin
John Morris
Marc Kennedy
Ben Hebert
Adam Enright
Jules Owchar
CHINA
Harbin Curling Club, Harbin
Fengchun Wang
Rui Liu
Xiaoming Xu
Jialiang Zang
Dongyan Li
Daniel Rafael
CZECH REPUBLIC
CK Brno, Prague
Jiri Snitil
Martin Snitil
Jindrich Kitzberger
Marek Vydra
Milos Hoferka
Sune Frederiksen
DENMARK
Hvidovre Curling Club, Hvidovre
Johnny Frederiksen
Lars Vilandt
Bo Jensen
Ulrik Schmidt
Mikkel Poulsen
John Helston
FRANCE
Chamonix Curling Club, Chamonix
Thomas Dufour
Tony Angiboust
Jan Ducroz
Richard Ducroz
Raphael Mathieu
Andre Ferland
GERMANY
CC Füssen, Füssen
Andy Kapp
Andreas Lang
Holger Höhne
Andreas Kempf
Felix Schulze
Oliver Axnick
NORWAY
Snaroya CC, Oslo
Thomas Ulsrud
Torger Nergård
Christoffer Svae
Håvard Vad Petersson
Thomas Due
Ole Ingvaldsen
SCOTLAND
Lockerbie Curling Club, Lockerbie
David Murdoch
Graeme Connal
Peter Smith
Euan Byers
Peter Loudon
David Hay
SWEDEN
CK Stocksunds, Danderyd
Anders Kraupp
Peder Folke
Björn Brandberg
Anton Sandström
Mats Nyberg
Stefan Hasselborg
SWITZERLAND
CC St. Galler Bär, Zurich
Claudio Pescia
Patrick Hürlimann
Pascal Sieber
Marco Battilana
Toni Müller
Heinz Schmid
UNITED STATES
Madison Curling Club, Madison, Wisconsin
Craig Brown
Rich Ruohonen
John Dunlop
Peter Annis
Kevin Kakela
Steve Brown
KFC 12 and Under website - now with pictures
Posted Thursday, April 3, 2008 by derekm
The KFC Provincial 12 and Under Curling Championships website has now been updated with photos of the winners and runners-up, along with a photo album from the event.
Visit: http://peicurling.com/12andunder
World Men's starts on Saturday
Posted Tuesday, April 1, 2008 by derekm
The 2008 World Men's Curling Championship takes place in Grand Forks North Dakota April 5-13.
Round robin games featuring Canada will be available on the Internet at CBCSports.ca. The opening game will also be shown on CBC bold (formerly Country Canada).
The semi-final and final will be on the main CBC network, while the bronze medal game will be available on bold and on the Internet only.
Here is the broadcast schedule:
Saturday, April 5
On bold & CBCSports.ca
8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT Canada vs. Denmark
Round Robin Draws on CBCSports.ca
Sunday, April 6
3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT Canada vs. Sweden
8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT Canada vs. Australia
3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT Canada vs. France
8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT Canada vs. Scotland
10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT Canada vs. Norway
8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT Canada vs. Germany
10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT Canada vs. China
3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT Canada vs. Czech Republic
10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT Canada vs. Switzerland
8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT Canada vs. USA
3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT Playoff: TBD
Saturday, April 12
On CBC Television & CBCSports.ca
2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT Semifinal
8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT Bronze medal game
2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT Final
CBC attracts record audience for curling final
Posted Tuesday, April 1, 2008 by derekm
A record audience of 1.118 million viewers tuned in to CBC on Sunday to watch Canada's Jennifer Jones win her first world women's curling championship.
Click to read this story at CBC Sports
Cornwall's Smith, Fullerton, Schut win 12 and Under Ch'ships
Posted Sunday, March 30, 2008 by derekm
The KFC Provincial 12 and Under Curling Championships wrapped up today at the Crapaud Community Curling Club, with teams from the Cornwall Curling Club sweeping all three divisions.
In the four team boys division, Tyler Smith of Cornwall edged Charlottetown's Kyle Hughes by a 5-4 score in the sudden-death final. Hughes had lead the round robin with a 5-1 record, while Smith, and Montague's Evan O'Brien were 3-3. Smith beat O'Brien 7-3 in the tiebreaker game, taking five points in the fourth end, to advance to the final. Other members of the winning Smith foursome are Parker O'Connor, Noah O'Connor and Tyson Smith, with coach Kevin Smith. The runner-up Hughes rink includes Tony Nabuurs, Keith Nabuurs, Kip Ready, and coach Robbie Doherty. Johnathan MacDonald, Chandler Matheson, Mark Morrison and coach Barry MacDonald round out the third place O'Brien foursome.
In the five team girls division, the Katie Fullerton rink from the Cornwall Curling Club went undefeated, winning all four round robin games, and winning the best of three final round against Heather Drake (3-1 win-loss) of Montague by 5-2 and 9-3 scores, making the third game unnecessary. A triple, followed by a steal of five and another steal of a single point in the second through fourth ends brought the second game to a quick close. Other members of the Fullerton foursome are Sabrina Smith, Chloe McCloskey, and Rachel O'Connor. Paul Smith is coach. Amy Purchase, Emma Nabuurs, Shana Morrison, and coach David Nabuurs complete the runner-up Drake rink. Three members of the Fullerton rink were on last year's winning Veronica Smith team, with O'Connor joining the rink at lead, and the other three members advancing one position.
Both the boys and girls divisions played six-end games throughout the event, while the seven-team third division, which included both boys and girls rinks, was for the younger, less experienced teams, and featured four end games.
The winner of that division was Cornwall's Jonathan Schut foursome, who finished round robin play with a perfect 6-0 record. The Chandos Ross girls rink from Charlottetown finished second at 5-1, and played the Schut team in the best of three final round. Ross took the first game 5-4, with Schutt winning the next two by 6-1 and 5-4 scores. Other members of the winning Jonathan Schut team are Owen Newson, Devin Schut and Cameron MacKay, with coaches Sarah Fullerton, Whitney Young and Sara MacRae. Playing on the runner-up Chandos Ross team were Alanna MacDonald, Desiree MacDonald and Hannah Koughan, with coach Victoria Evans.
Hritzuk and Sanders win Seniors
Posted Sunday, March 30, 2008 by derekm
Saskatchewan's Eugene Hritzuk and British Columbia's 's Pat Sanders were winners in Sunday's finals at the Canadian Senior Curling Championships in Prince Albert Sask.
Hritzuk beat Moncton's Russ Howard 7-5 in 10 ends. Howard had the hammer, but couldn't close the gap in the final end.
On the women's side, Sanders only needed nine ends to beat Ontario's Ann Pearson 7-5.
Canada Crowned World Womens Champions
Posted Sunday, March 30, 2008 by derekm
Sunday, March 30, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- Three times was the charm here for Canada’s Jennifer Jones Sunday afternoon as she defeated China’s Bingyu Wang 7-4 to capture the 2008 Ford World Womens Curling Championship.
It was the third time in a week that Canada had played China -- they also played in the round-robin and the Page Playoff 1 vs 2 game -- but the only time that Canada managed to beat the feisty Chinese squad.
But when your only victory comes in the world final, it’s the only one that counts and the Canadian women were delerious with what was the first world title for all four members of the Winnipeg team -- Jones, third Cathy Overton-Clapham, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn Askin.
"We felt we played great from start to finish, something we hadn't done all week," Jones said afterward.
"I'm so thrilled, it's crazy...It's unbelievable. I'm speechless really."
It was a disappointing finish to the week for a Chinese squad that surprised everyone as they finished first overall in the round-robin and then advanced straight to the final with a win over Canada in Friday night’s 1 vs 2 game.
But China still gets the consolation of a silver medal, the first ever won by an Asian team in the history of the world curling championships, men or women.
Canada fell behind early in both their losses to China earlier in the week, but it was the opposite script here in the final. After holding China to one with the hammer in the first end, Canada cracked a three-ender in the second end when Wang jammed a hit with her last rock, leaving Canada lying two and Jones needing only to draw the full 12-foot with the last rock of the end to get the third point.
It was a critical mistake from which China never recovered. After trading singles for the next four ends, the teams headed into the seventh end with Canada leading 4-3 and holding hammer. China was threatening to steal one, with a rock locked on to the button. But Jones played a double angle-raised takeout, to drive the Chinese counter off the button and leave Canada with a deuce when the smoke settled.
That made the score 6-3 and China never threatened after that.
It’s the 15th world womens curling championship for Canada, but just the third won on Canadian soil. Marilyn Bodogh’s victory’s in 1986 and 1996 are the only other two times Canadian women have won world titles in the 10 world womens championships that have been contested in this country.
It's also the second straight world women's title for Canada. B.C.'s Kelly Scott won for Canada last year in Aomori, Japan.
Switzerland won the bronze medal, defeating Japan late Saturday evening. Switzerland skip Mirjam Ott also won the Frances Brodie Award, voted by her fellow curlers to the player who best exhibits sportsmanship and ability.
Final attendance for the event was 37,255, including 3,004 for the final.
Howard vs Hritzuk, Pearson vs Sanders in Seniors finals
Posted Sunday, March 30, 2008 by derekm
The Canadian Seniors finals go at 5 Atlantic this afternoon in Prince Albert Sask.
The men's final sees Russ Howard of New Brunswick face Eugene Hritzuk of Sask., while Ontario's Ann Pearson faces BC's Pat Sanders in the womens.
Miracle Comeback Advances Canada to Womens Final; Switzerland wins bronze
Posted Sunday, March 30, 2008 by derekm
Saturday, March 29, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- Canada's Jennifer Jones authored yet another dramatic comeback here at the Ford World Womens Curling Championship Saturday afternoon and she has a date with China in the final to show for it.
Jones overcame deficits of 6-3 and 8-5 to beat Japan's Moe Meguro 9-8 in an extra end in a thrilling semi-final, characterized by great shot-making and all the late-end drama you could ask for.
Trailing 8-5, Jones scored a deuce in the ninth end and then stole both the 10th and 11th ends to complete the unlikely comeback and thwart what would have been an all-Pacific world final between China and Japan.
The Japanese then went on to play Switzerland's Mirjam Ott in the bronze medal game Saturday evening, with Switzerland winning by a 9-7 score.
The Canadians now advance to Sunday's final where they will face China's Bingyu Wang.
Wang has already beaten the Canadians twice this week -- once in the round-robin and once in the Page Playoff 1 vs 2 game -- but it won't mean much if she cannot beat the tenacious Canadians when it counts most.
"Hopefully, three times a charm," said Canada second Jill Officer.
An emotional Jones emerged from the ice with nothing but praise for the gritty effort her team put forth in coming back against Japan.
"We're just determined and we never give up," Jones said. "It's shows a lot of character. I'm very proud of us. That was outstanding."
Meguro, meantime, seemed less than devestated by the loss. "We curled very good game, but the last two ends, the 10th and extra ends, they played very well."
The gold medal game on Sunday will air live on the full CBC network, beginning at 2:30 p.m. AT.
Round robin over at KFC 12 and Under
Posted Saturday, March 29, 2008 by derekm
Round robin play wrapped up Saturday night at the KFC Provincial 12 and Under Curling Championships in Crapaud.
In the four-team boy's pool, Kyle Hughes of Charlottetown finished in first place with a 5-1 win-loss record, and advances to the final Sunday at 4 pm. He awaits the winner of a 1 pm Sunday tiebreaker between Evan O'Brien of Montague and Cornwall's Tyler Smith, who both finished the round robin at 3-3. The other team in the pool, skipped by Alex Matters of Charlottetown, had one win and five losses.
In the five team girl's pool, Katie Fullerton of Cornwall finished first with a perfect 4-0 record, followed by Heather Drake of Montague at 3-1. They now play in a best of three final, with games set for 1 and 4 pm on Sunday, and (if needed) 5:30 pm Monday (may be moved up to 7 pm Sunday). Kailey Koughan of Charlottetown finished at 2-2, with Jenny McLean of the Silver Fox at 1-3, and Jessica Stewart of the Fox at 0-4.
The third pool, with seven teams, includes both boys and girls rinks. Johnathan Schut finished the round robin at 6-0, followed by Chandos Ross at 5-1. They now play in a best of three final, with games set for 1 and 4 pm on Sunday, and (if needed) 5:30 pm Monday (may be moved up to 7 pm Sunday). Alex MacFadyen of Charlottetown finished third at 4-2, followed by Heidi Hennessey of Charlottetown at 3-3, Katie Rossiter of Cornwall at 2-4, Frank Watts of Crapauid at 1-5, and Kayla Schut of Crapaud at 0-6.
Playoffs set at Canadian Seniors On the men's side, Nova Scotia's Brian Rafuse, Saskatchewan's Eugene Hritzuk and New Brunswick's Russ Howard all finished round-robin action tied for first at 9-2, followed by Manitoba's Vic Peters, who finished 8-3 after losing to Rafuse 10-4 in Draw 21. PEI's Ted MacFadyen rink ended play on a winning note at 4-7 after beating Quebec 5-2, and the Territories 9-4 on Friday. Howard will play Peters in the first semifinal, while Hritzuk will take on Rafuse in the second. The final goes Sunday.
Posted Saturday, March 29, 2008 by derekm
Round robin play wrapped up Friday at the Canadian Seniors in Prince Albert SK. BC's Pat Sanders finished atop the women's standings with a 10-1 record, after losing 7-5 loss to Saskatchewan's Delores Syrota in Draw 21. Sanders and Syrota (7-4) will meet in one semifinal on Saturday, while Ontario's Ann Pearson and Alberta's Sandy Turner, who both finished at 7-3, will play in the other. PEI's Barb Currie foursome split their final games, losing 10-4 to Quebec's Agnes Charette, but winning 7-6 over the Territories to finish at 5-6.
return to headlines
China defeats Canada in Page 1-2 game at World Womens
Posted Saturday, March 29, 2008 by derekm
She never had a chance to throw.
Jones's foursome fell behind early, rallied late and ultimately fell just short in a 7-5 loss to China's Bingyu Wang in Page playoff action Friday at the Ford world women's curling championship.
Click to read this Canadian Press story at TSN.ca
Asian Miracle Continues at Worlds
Posted Friday, March 28, 2008 by derekm
Friday, March 28, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- In a week that's put Asian curling in the spotlight like never before, Japan's Moe Meguro continued to write an unlikely script with a stunning 6-4 win over Switzerland's Mirjam Ott in the Page Playoff 3 vs 4 game here at the Ford World Womens Curling Championship Friday afternoon.
The victory means Japan will play in Saturday afternoon's semi-final against the winner of tonight's Page Playoff 1 vs 2 game between Canada's Jennifer Jones and China's Bingyu Wang.
Switzerland, meanwhile, has now been relegated to Saturday night's bronze medal game.
"Our gold is over," said a dejected Ott.
Japan scored early and often to put the Swiss on their heels, taking a deuce in the third end and then stealing singles in each of the next three ends to take a 5-1 lead into the seventh end.
The Swiss battled back with a deuce in eight and a steal in nine and Ott had Meguro in serious trouble in the tenth end, with a Swiss rock on the four-foot, all kinds of guards out front and a chance to put one more guard up with her last.
But Ott's guard never curled enough and it left the Swiss counter half-exposed, allowing Meguro with the last rock of the game to tap it out the back of the house and stick around for the win.
The Japanese seemed just as surprised with their victory as everyone else was that they had just beaten the two-time Olympic silver medallist skip from Switzerland.
"Yeah, I can't believe it," said Japan third Mari Motohashi, who curled a sizzling 94 percent against Ott.
The Japanese advanced to the 3 vs 4 game with a 7-3 win earlier in the day over Denmark's Angelina Jensen.
With both China and Japan in the final four, an Asian country will for the first time here this weekend win a medal at the world curling championships.
Motohashi cautioned, however, that her team will have to play better as the weekend progresses.
"I want to make more shots and my teammates too, because the late ends weren't so good." she said.
Canada vs China in 1-2 Page Playoff Game at World Womens
Posted Friday, March 28, 2008 by derekm
Friday, March 28, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- Canada's Jennifer Jones will play China's Bingyu Wang in the Page Playoff 1 vs 2 game here at the Ford World Womens Curling Championship Friday evening.
Canada advanced to the big game with a 7-3 victory over Sweden's Stina Viktorsson on the final draw of the round-robin here Thursday evening.
China kept pace with a narrow 6-5 victory over Germany's Andrea Schoepp, while Switzerland's Mirjam Ott was also a winner, dropping Russia's Liudmila Privivkova 9-4.
Put it altogether and the round-robin ended with Canada, China and Switzerland all tied for first place with 9-2 records.
Because the three teams all had identical 1-1 records against each other during the round-robin, officials resorted to a second tiebreaker -- a team draw to the button competition that was staged just prior to this event.
China won that competition, Canada finished second and Switzerland finished third. So that put China and Canada in the 1-2 game (with China getting the first place advantage of hammer or choice of rocks) while Switzerland was relegated to Friday afternoon's page-playoff 3 vs 4 game.
Switzerland will play the winner of a tiebreaker game Friday morning between Denmark's Angelina Jensen and Japan's Moe Meguro.
The winner of the 3-4 game advances to Saturday's semi-final to face the loser of the 1-2 game.
Canada played what was probably their strongest game of this event against Sweden. "We got out of the gate quite well and had consistent play from start to finish," said second Jill Officer. "We felt a lot better about things."
"It's playoffs," said third Cathy Overton-Clapham, "and we're right where we wanted to be.
"We had fun out there and there and that's when we play our best."
Friday's 3-4 page playoff game will be played at 5 p.m. AT and air live on TSN. The 1-2 game will also air live on TSN, beginning at 10 p.m. Atlantic.
PEI Seniors drop Thursday games
Posted Friday, March 28, 2008 by derekm
Danes Drop Canada 6-3 at World Womens
Posted Thursday, March 27, 2008 by derekm
Thursday, March 27, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- Denmark's Angelina Jensen clinched a playoff tiebreaker for her team and put a bit of a kink into Canada's playoff plans here at the Ford World Womens Curling Championship Thursday morning.
Jensen jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Canada's Jennifer Jones and never looked back, cruising to a 6-3 victory that seemed never much in doubt.
The win improved Denmark to 7-3 and it guarantees they will play in at least a playoff tiebreaker game on Friday.
The loss dropped Canada's record to 8-2. That puts them into a tie for second place with Switzerland's Mirjam Ott, who was a 7-4 winner over USA's Debbie McCormick.
The loss dropped USA's record to 5-5 and eliminates them from playoff contention.
China was idle Thursday morning and remains at 8-1.
In other games Thursday morning, Japan beat Germany 9-4, while Italy beat Czech Republic 6-3.
The win by Japan improved their record to 6-4 and kept them in playoff contention. Germany, Italy and Czech Republic had already been eliminated.
Also still in playoff contention is Sweden, who head into a game this afternoon against Denmark at 5-4. The Swedes finish their round-robin with a game against Canada Thursday night.
With a win against Sweden, Canada would guarantee themselves a berth in Friday's page playoff 1 vs 2 game.
"Obviously, we'd like to pick it up and play a little better," said Canada third Cathy Overton-Clapham.
But Danish vice-skip Madeleine Dupont couldn't be happier with how her team is playing.
"Seriously, I didn't think we'd beat (Canada) today. We weren't so confident today," Dupont said.
In Thursday afternoon action, Scotland plays Italy, Russia plays USA, China plays Japan and Sweden plays Denmark.
Currie 4-3, MacFadyen 2-5 at Cdn Seniors.
Posted Thursday, March 27, 2008 by derekm
PEI's Barb Currie and Ted MacFadyen rinks both picked up wins yesterday at the Canadian Seniors in Prince Albert Sask.
MacFadyen beat Northern Ontario 11-7 last night, after losing 9-7 to two-time world champ Russ Howard of New Brunswick.
Saskatchewan's Eugene Hritzuk leads the pack with an 8-0 win-loss record, followed by Howard and Vic Peters of Manitoba at 6-2. Ontario, NS, and BC are at 5-2, while Alberta, BC, the Territories and Northern Ontario all have two wins, and Quebec and Newfoundland/Labrador have only one win.
On the women's side, Barb Currie improved to 4-3, bombing Northern Ontario 12-2, and beating New Brunswick 9-6 yesterday.
BC is atop the leaderboard at 7-0, followed by Alberta and Newfoundland/Labrador with 5 wins, Ontario, PEI, Quebec, Sask. and Manitoba with 4, NS with 3, Northern Ont. and NB with 2, and the Territories with a single win.
China Fends Off Italy, Improves to 8-1 at World Womens
Posted Thursday, March 27, 2008 by derekm
Thursday, March 27, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- China's Bingyu Wang fought off a challenge from a feisty Italian squad here at the Ford World Womens Curling Championship Wednesday evening to improve to 8-1 and head into the final day of the round-robin tied with Canada for first place.
Trailing Italy 8-7 coming home, Wang scored three with the hammer in the final frame to win 10-8.
China had led Italy 6-3 at one point, but Italian skip Diana Gaspari stole two in the seventh end and then scored two more in the ninth end to take the lead. The loss dropped Italy to 1-8.
In other games Wednesday evening, Denmark's Angelina Jensen surrendered a steal in the tenth end to lose 4-3 to Russia. The loss dropped Denmark's record to 6-3, while Russia improved to 4-5.
Japan's Moe Meguro improved to 5-4 with a 7-2 win over Scotland's Gail Munro, who dropped to 1-8.
And finally, USA's Debbie McCormick gave up a steal in the extra end to lose 8-7 to Sweden's Stina Viktorsson. The loss dropped USA to 5-4, while Sweden improved to 5-4.
Put it altogether and China and Canada head into Thursday tied for first place and with playoff spots now clinched. The two teams are followed a game behind by Switzerland at 7-2. Then it's Denmark at 6-3 alone in fourth place, followed by Japan, USA and Sweden all tied at 5-4.
The top four teams at the conclusion of the round-robin Thursday evening will advance to Friday's page playoffs.
The worlds continues Thursday morning with Canada taking on Denmark, Italy playing Czech Republic, USA playing Switzerland and Japan playing Germany.
Canada Clinches Playoff Tiebreaker at World Womens
Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008 by derekm
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- Canada's Jennifer Jones has clinched at least a playoff tiebreaker game here at the Ford World Womens Curling Championship.
With an 8-6 win over Scotland's Gail Munro Wednesday afternoon, Canada's Jones improved to 8-1 and would play in at least a playoff tiebreaker game even if she were to lose her final two round-robin games on Thursday.
Canada plays Denmark Thursday morning and then wraps up their round-robin against Sweden Thursday night.
"We're in the driver's seat and we control our own destiny and that's what we want," Jones said after the win over Scotland.
Canada cracked a four against the Scots in the third end to take a 4-2 lead but Scotland battled back and took the game to the tenth end before finally yielding. Munro struggled mightily with her draw weight in the game, shooting just 60 percent.
In other games Wednesday afternoon, China's Bingyu Wang -- the last undefeated team in the field -- finally suffered a loss, falling 9-7 to Switzerland's Mirjam Ott. Ott broke open a tight game with a five-ender in the eighth.
The loss dropped China to 7-1. They play again Wednesday evening against Italy's Diana Gaspari.
Ott improved to 7-2 with the victory.
In other games, Sweden beat Czech Republic 7-3 and Russia edged Germany 7-6.
Canada Outlasts Japan in Extra End
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, BC -- Canada's Jennifer Jones needed an extra end to defeat Japan's Moe Meguro 7-4 here at the World Womens Curling Championship Wednesday morning.
In a game in which the two teams traded singles all game, Canada saved their biggest firepower for the extra frame, cracking a three-ender to put an exclamation point on the victory.
The extra end was set up by third Cathy Overton-Clapham, who negotiated a small port to pluck a Japanese counter off the back four-foot and then roll behind cover.
"I didn't make any big shots all game so it was nice to make that one," said Overton Clapham, who was outshot 85-69 by her Japanese counterpart, Mari Motohashi.
"It was a little bit of a nailbiter," said Winnipeg's Jones, "and we were happy to have the hammer in the extra."
The win improves Canada to 7-1 and keeps them alone in second place. China, who was idle Wednesday morning, continues to lead at 7-0, while Denmark and Switzerland trail Canada by a game at 6-2.
Denmark scored one with the hammer in the extra end to beat Germany Wednesday morning, while Switzerland smoked Italy 10-2 in just seven ends.
In the only other game Wednesday morning, USA stayed in the playoff hunt with a narrow 7-6 win over Czech Republic. The Americans took two in the eighth end and then stole two in the ninth end to avoid losing their third straight.
The victory improves the Americans record to 5-3, putting them alone in fifth place heading into the afternoon draw. The top four teams at the conclusion of the round-robin tomorrow advance to the page playoffs.
Spud Isle Junior Camp set for Crapaud in August
Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008 by derekm
The 2008 edition of the Spud Isle Summer Junior Curling camp goes August 11 and 12 at the Crapaud Community Curling Club.
Entry fee of $100.00 per person includes on ice training, video analysis, class room sessions, outdoor activities, meals, nutrition breaks, camp t-shirts, and more.
Registration deadline is Friday 30 May 2008. Entries will be processed on a first paid, first served basis.
This camp is open to curlers 11 to 16 years of age with at least one year curling experience. Team and individual entries are accepted
Please forward registration and consent forms, with entry fees to:
Gayle Johnston
46 Kirkdale Rd. Box 3 Site 10
Charlottetown, PEI C1E 1N6
Tel: 368-1071 Email: gaylej@pei.sympatico.ca
Please make cheques payable to: Spud Isle Junior Curling Camp.
Entry form. Consent Form Poster
Rideau club in Ottawa seeking ice manager Located in Ottawa, the Rideau is a vibrant full-service curling club with a large, active membership of recreational and competitive curlers. We are seeking an Ice Manager who will provide top quality ice conditions efficiently and consistently, and who will communicate well with members, the Club Manager and the House and Ice Committee of the Board.
Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008 by derekm
Reporting to the Curling Club Manager, the Ice Manager will be responsible for all aspects of start-up and ice preparation, rock maintenance, maintenance of the ice plant and related equipment, on-going ice cleaning and maintenance, supervision of casual and part-time assistants, plant shut-down procedures and other functions related to the cleanliness, quality and safety of the curling club’s ice area. The position requires fulltime commitment from September through April each year, beginning in 2008.
The successful candidate will have a Level 2 Ice Technician certification plus 5 years of successful Ice Manager experience or an equivalent combination of formal training and experience. A competitive compensation package is provided. For further details on the duties of the position or to express an interest in applying, please contact:
Audrey Frey
Manager, Rideau Curling Club
715 Cooper Street,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 5J5
Phone: 613-232-9665
Fax: 613-232-9666
E-mail: manager@rideaucurlingclub.com
Interested applicants should submit a resume to the above address by April 14, 2008.
return to headlines
PEI senior rinks find win columns
Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008 by derekm
PRINCE ALBERT, SASK. — The two P.E.I. rinks have hit the win column at the Canadian senior curling championships.
Barb Currie, from the Silver Fox club in Summerside, is 2-3 while Ted MacFadyen, from the Charlottetown club, is 1-4.
Click to read this story from The Guardian
Canada Stages Big Comeback, Beats U.S. 10-9 at World Womens
Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008 by derekm
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- Canada's Jennifer Jones bounced back from a 6-1 deficit to beat USA's Debbie McCormick 10-9 here at the Ford World Womens Curling Championship Tuesday evening.
Down 6-1 after just four ends, Canada's Jones began the comeback with a three-ender in the fifth, the product of two perfect draws to the four-foot by the Winnipeg skip.
Jones drew again in the seventh end for a three-ender to tie the game and then claimed the first lead of the game for Canada in the eighth end with a steal.
But the Americans wouldn't yield, scoring a deuce of their own in the ninth end to take a 9-8 lead heading home for the tenth.
With Canada in serious trouble, Jones negotiated a tiny port with her first rock of the final frame to lie shot for Canada on the four-foot. McCormick, the 2003 world champion, needed to match the shot but she crashed on a guard out front, clearing a path for Jones to draw the four-foot with the last rock of the game and score a game-winning deuce.
The win improved Canada to 6-1, a game behind unbeaten China and a game ahead of Switzerland and Denmark, who are both 5-2. Denmark scored three in the tenth end to snatch a 9-7 victory away from Switzerland Tuesday evening.
The loss to Canada was McCormick's second of the day -- she was beaten 10-1 by China on the afternoon draw -- and drops the Americans' record to 4-3. That puts them in a tie with Germany's Andrea Schoepp and Japan's Moe Meguro.
Germany won their third straight Tuesday evening, dropping Italy's Diana Gaspari 5-2, while Japan needed an extra end to beat Czech Republic 5-4.
The top four teams make the playoffs and Schoepp wondered Tuesday evening if her late charge is already too little, too late.
"For the playoffs, I think it will be tough," Schoepp told reporters.
The worlds resumes Wednesday morning when Canada plays Japan, Denmark plays Germany, Italy plays Switzerland and USA plays Czech Republic.
China Demolishes USA 10-1, Improves to 7-0 at World Womens
Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008 by derekm
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- If there was still any lingering question that China's Bingyu Wang is for real, it was settled here this afternoon at the 2008 Ford World Womens Curling Championship.
China scored early and often in simply overwhelming USA"s Debbie McCormick. The Chinese led 7-1 by the fifth end break and McCormick finally conceded two ends later having yielded successive steals of one and two to make the final score 10-1. The win improved the Chinese to 7-0.
The emphatic victory over one of the top contenders in this field came just one draw after China beat Canada's Jennifer Jones -- another top contender -- by a score of 9-7.
Put it altogether and China now has more wins in this event already than they've ever registered before at a worlds. Their previous record was six wins, achieved two years ago in Grande Prairie.
McCormick said the the drubbing was the result of a good Chinese team, but even more so the changed ice conditions that her team failed to pick up on.
"We feel like we got beat by the ice more than the Chinese," McCormick said.
Wang suggested maybe it was the Americans who simply beat themselves. "Today, the USA played not good."
The loss dropped USA's record to 4-2, a game behind Canada and Switzerland who are tied for second at 5-1.
In other games Tuesday afternoon, Denmark defeated Scotland 7-6, Japan beat Russia 10-5 and Sweden beat Italy 9-7.
China Dumps Canada 9-7, Takes Over First at World Womens
Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008 by derekm
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- And then there was one.
China's Bingyu Wang is the last remaining undefeated team here at the Ford Womens World Curling Championship, sporting a perfect 6-0 record thanks to a 9-7 win over Canada's Jennifer Jones here Tuesday morning.
With the game tied 7-7 and facing three Chinese counters with the last rock of the tenth end, Jones needed the eight-foot to seal the victory. But her draw was heavy, slid all the way to the back 12-foot and China stole two and the victory.
"It's a shot we don't miss very often and unfortunately I missed it today," Jones said.
"I feel surprised. The last end we were so lucky because Jennifer played so well," Wang said.
The loss dropped Canada to 5-1 and puts them in a tie for second place with Switzerland's Mirjam Ott. Ott kept pace with an 8-4 win over Scotland Tuesday morning.
Canada dug themselves a hole early against China, falling behind 3-0 in just the second end when they gave up a steal of two. But the Canadians battled back with a three of their own in the fifth end to send the game to the break tied 4-4.
A steal in the sixth end gave Canada their first lead of the game, but the Chinese refused to quit, scoring a deuce in the seventh end and then taking one in the ninth end to send the game home tied.
It's the second time China has beaten Canada at the worlds. Wang also beat Kelly Scott 5-4 in Grande Prairie, Alberta in 2006.
Currie picks up 1st win, MacFadyen still winless at Cdn. Seniors
Posted Tuesday, March 25, 2008 by derekm
PEI's Barb Currie rink improved to 1-2 yesterday at the Canadian Seniors in Prince Albert Sask., recovering from a 13-1 drubbing by BC's Pat Sanders yesterday morning by edging Nova Scotia's Yvonne Martin rink 8-7 in the evening draw.
Ted MacFadyen lost both his games yesterday, 5-4 in an extra end to BC, and 8-4 to Nova Scotia's Brian Rafuse to slip to 0-3.
Canada and China in First-place Showdown at World Womens
Posted Tuesday, March 25, 2008 by derekm
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- Canada's Jennifer Jones and China's Bingyu Wang will face off here Tuesday morning at the Ford World Womens Curling Championship with first place hanging in the balance.
Both nations remained undefeated after victories Monday night. Canada defeated Russia's Liudmila Privivkova 9-6, while China beat Czech Republic's Katerina Urbanova 7-5.
The victories improved Canada and China to 5-0 and leaves them as the only undefeated teams remaining heading into Day 4 here.
Jones faced Wang at the 2005 women's worlds -- Canada won -- and the Canadians said they'll need a top effort to beat them again on Tuesday.
"They're a good team," said Canada third Cathy Overton-Clapham. "They make a lot of shots and they're technically sound and always play well."
The winless Czechs actually briefly led China, but Wang took over in the game's middle ends and the final outcome was never much in doubt.
Canada got a tougher test from Russia, who stole singles in the game's first two ends. But three-enders for Jones in the third and eighth ends proved to be the margin of difference.
Canada and China head into Tuesday a game ahead of USA and Switzerland, who are both 4-1. USA was idle Monday evening, but Switzerland kept pace with the leaders thanks to a 7-6 win over Sweden.
In the only other game Monday evening, Germany defeated Scotland 6-4.
The Canada-China showdown will be broadcast live by TSN at 11:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
Other games Tuesday morning will feature Switzerland versus Scotland, Czech Republic versus Russia and Germany against Sweden.
KFC 12 and Under starts Thursday in Crapaud
Posted Monday, March 24, 2008 by derekm
Smoking Debate-Move to eliminate smoking rooms has Silver Fox general manager anxious
Posted Monday, March 24, 2008 by derekm
SUMMERSIDE — Designated smoking areas in bars, restaurants, legions and clubs could become history shortly, thanks to the expansion of the Province’s Smoke Free Places Act, first passed in 2003.
Carson Ricketts, manager of the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club, says it’s unfortunate, but it’s also a sign of the times.
Click to read this story in today's Journal-Pioneer
Canada and China Remain Lone Unbeaten teams at World Women's
Posted Monday, March 24, 2008 by derekm
Monday, March 24, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- Canada's Jennifer Jones and China's Bingyu Wang head into Day 3 on Monday here at the Ford World Womens Curling Championship as the lone remaining undefeated teams in the field.
Canada's Jones improved to 3-0 Sunday evening with an 11-6 win over Germany's Andrea Schoepp, while China's Wang also improved to 3-0 with an 8-4 win over Scotland's Gail Munro.
While Canada was widely expected to be a serious contender here on home ice this week, the unblemished play of the Chinese has surprised even the most optimistic observer.
But Wang, a 23-year-old student from Harbin, is keeping things in perspective.
"It's a good start," she said Sunday night. "We hope we can keep it going. But it doesn't really matter as long as we keep playing well."
Jones, meantime, summed up her attitude succintly on a day that saw Canada crack a six-ender in an 11-4 win over Czech Republic and then a five-ender in the win over Germany.
"We're feeling great," Jones said.
Jones was trailing Schoepp 3-2 when the German skip flashed a takeout attempt with her last rock of the fourth end. That left Jones needing only to draw the paint to score what proved to be a decisive five-ender.
Canada gets the bye on Monday morning before taking on Italy's Diana Gaspari on the afternoon draw and then Russia's Luidmila Privivkova on the evening draw.
In other games Sunday evening, Russia defeated Sweden 7-5 while Switzerland beat Czech Republic 9-5.
The worlds resumes Monday morning when Sweden plays Japan, China faces Denmark, Russia plays Italy and Scotland plays USA.
Over in six - Jones still unbeaten at Worlds
Posted Sunday, March 23, 2008 by derekm
Canada's Jennifer Jones remained unbeaten at the Ford world women's curling championship Sunday with an 11-4, six-end win over Katerina Urbanova of the Czech Republic.
Click to read this story at TSN
PEI drops Seniors openers against Alberta
Posted Sunday, March 23, 2008 by derekm
PEI's Barb Currie and Ted MacFadyen rinks dropped their openers today at the Canadian Seniors in Prince Albert Saskatchewan. MacFadyen was tied 4-4 with Alberta's Bob Genoway after eight ends, but the Alberta foursome won 7-4 with a three-pointer in the ninth.
Currie, and Alberta's Sandy Turner were tied at two after four ends, but Alberta out-singled the PEI foursome 4-1 in the later ends to win 6-3.
Both PEI teams play BC and NS on Monday.
PEI rinks sweep Atlantic Under 18 Curling Ch'ships
Posted Sunday, March 23, 2008 by derekm
The Atlantic Under 18 Curling Championships wrapped up this afternoon in Truro, with the PEI teams sweeping both sections.
In the junior men's championship, the Sam Ramsay rink from the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club in Summerside edged the defending champions, the Kendal Thompson foursome from the Lakeshore Curling Club in Nova Scotia, by a 6-5 score, scoring a triple in the third end and stealing another three in the fourth to build up a 6-3 win. Thompson came back with singles in five and six, but Ramsay blanked the next two ends to maintain his lead and pull out the win.
Playing with Ramsay are third Neil Gallant, second Brett Gallant, the PEI junior men's champion skip who now adds an Atlantic championship to his collection, and lead Eric Pidgeon. Peter Pidgeon is their coach.
The Sarah Fullerton foursome from the Cornwall Curling Club, with Michelle McQuaid at third, Madeline Campbell at second, and Sara MacRae playing lead, with coach Rebecca Jean MacPhee, trailed the Abbey Burgess rink from Fredericton's Capital Winter Club 3-0 after three ends in the junior women's final, but took control of the game with a pair in end four, another deuce in the fifth, and two more steals of a single point in ends six and seven to lead 6-3. New Brunswick grabbed a pair in the final end, but needed three to tie, and Fullerton won 6-5.
The Sam Ramsay rink led the junior men's round robin with a 3-1 win-loss record. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the host team were all 2-2, while Newfoundland/Labrador were 1-3.
New Brunswick were atop the junior women's round robin, with a 4-0 record, followed by PEI and Newfoundland/Labrador, both at 2-2. The host team and Nova Scotia were both 1-3.
Click for a photo album from the event.
Ramsay and Fullerton looking good at Atlantic U18
Posted Sunday, March 23, 2008 by derekm
PEi's Sam Ramsay rink is leading the pack in the junor men's section of the Atlantic Under 18 curling championships in Truro. The Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club foursome, which includes third Neil Gallant, second Brett Gallant, and lead Eric Pidgeon, finished round robin play last night with a 3-1 record, after a loss Thursday night to New Brunswick, and wins yesterday over Newfoundland/Labrador and the host team. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are 2-1, while the host team are 1-2 and the Newfoundland/Labrador squad are 0-3.
New Brunswick's Abbey Burgess of Fredericton lead the women's side at 4-0, and have earned a bye to the final game. PEI's Sarah Fullerton rink, which curls out of the Cornwall Curling Club and includes Michelle McQuaid at third, Madeline Campbell at second, and lead Sara MacRae, is next at 2-1, after losing 6-5 to New Brunswick in an extra end and edging Nova Scotia 8-7. Newfoundland/Labrador and the host team are 1-2, while Nova Scotia is 0-3.
Round robin play wraps up this morning with the 9 am draw, with Fullerton facing Newfoundland/Labrador. Tiebreakers go at noon, with the finals at 2.
Canada Opens on Winning Note at Ford Womens World Ch'ships
Posted Sunday, March 23, 2008 by derekm
Sunday, March 23, 2008 - Source: Canadian Curling Association
VERNON, B.C. -- Canada's Jennifer Jones kicked off her 2008 Ford Womens World Curling Championship on a winning note here Saturday night, dropping Switzerland's Mirjam Ott 6-3.
Jones scored the only deuce of the game in the first end as the two teams traded singles the rest of the way. Trailing 5-3 in the tenth end, Ott actually had a circus triple-takeout for a possible game-tying deuce with the last rock of the game but she was only able to remove one of the Canada stones.
The win means Winnipeg's Jones, with third Cathy Overton-Clapham, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn Askin, will now head into Day 2 here on Sunday sporting a 1-0 record and having confidence in the knowledge they have already beaten one of the leading contenders in this field.
"That's a big win against Switzerland," said Officer. "We expect them to be there at the end of the week and we hope to be there too. And that could be a factor at the end of the week."
Ott said she was pleased with how her team played, particularly in what she characterized as a difficult environment before a boisterous crowd at the Greater Vernon Multiplex.
"It's a little hard to play in Canada against Canada," said the two-time Olympic silver medallist. "We're not used to all those spectators."
In other games Saturday evening, Denmark's Angelina Jensen improved to 2-0 with an 8-6 win over Italy's Diana Gaspari; USA's Debbie McCormick evened her record at 1-1 with an 8-4 win over Japan's Moe Meguro; and Germany's Andrea Schoepp needed an extra end to edge Czech Republic's Katerina Urbanova 5-4.
Canada's Jones gets a bye on the abbreviated Sunday morning draw. That draw will see just two games -- China versus Russia and Sweden versus Scotland.
Canada plays twice later in the day, taking on Czech Republic on the afternoon draw and Germany during the evening.
PEI Senior Rinks Expect Tough Competition (Transcontinental)
Posted Saturday, March 22, 2008 by derekm
SUMMERSIDE — Barb Currie of Summerside is well aware of the tough competition that awaits the P.E.I. women at the 2008 Canadian senior curling championships March 23-30 in Prince Albert, Sask.
On the men’s side, Ted MacFadyen is hoping to post his best-ever finish in sixth appearances at the championships. His best record was 6-5 in both 2001 and 2006.
Click to read this story in today's Guardian
PEI's Fullerton, Ramsay win Atlantic Under 18 openers
Posted Friday, March 21, 2008 by derekm
PEI teams started off on a winning note at the 2008 Atlantic Under 18 Curling Championships, which got underway this afternoon at the Truro Curling Club, with the provincial age 17 and under champions from the four Atlantic provinces, plus a host team, competing.
Results are available after each end at the following website: http://events.nscurl.com/u18atlantics/index.php
PEI is represented by its Sylvan Learning Provincial 17 and Under champions the Sarah Fullerton rink from Cornwall, and the Sam Ramsay foursome from the Silver Fox.
The Fullerton team, who has substituted Madeline Campbell for second Whitney Young in this event, defeated the host team 9-2 in their opener, while the Ramsay rink beat defending champion Kendal Thompson of Nova Scotia 10-4.
Ramsay is playing Team New Brunswick, while Fullerton is playing Team Nova Scotia in the second draw, which got underway at 6:30.
2008 Canadian Seniors begin Sunday in Prince Albert
Posted Thursday, March 20, 2008 by derekm
March 20, 2008…The 2008 Canadian senior men’s and women’s curling championships begin Sunday in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
Twelve men’s and 12 women’s teams, representing the 10 provinces plus Northern Ontario and Yukon/Northwest Territories, will battle for Canadian titles. The teams play a round robin, with the first place teams advancing directly to Sunday’s final (March 30) while the second and third place teams meet in semi-finals on Saturday (or Sunday morning, if two or more tiebreakers required).
The winning teams will then represent Canada next year at the world seniors, which will be held April 24-May 3, 2009 in Dunedin, New Zealand. Last year’s Canadian Senior champions, Alberta’s Pat Ryan and Diane Foster, recently (last weekend) won gold medals at the 2008 world seniors in Vierumäki, Finland.
Prince Albert has previously hosted several other Canadian championships, including the 1984 and 2005 Canadian mixed, 1987 Canadian juniors and 1972 Canadian senior men’s.
Overall, Manitoba has won a leading 10 Canadian senior men’s titles since the championship began in 1965 in Port Arthur, Ontario. Saskatchewan has won six, the last by Gary Bryden in 1998 in Sault Ste. Marie.
The women’s championship has been won by Ontario a leading 10 times, including three of the last four editions, since it began in 1973 in Ottawa. Saskatchewan also has six women’s crowns to its credit, the last by Nancy Kerr in 2003 in Lethbridge. The men’s and women’s events were conducted separately until being combined in 1985 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
This year’s line-up is an intriguing one. Among the men’s skips are New Brunswick’s Russ Howard, Manitoba’s Vic Peters, Nova Scotia’s Brian Rafuse, Prince Edward Island’s Ted MacFadyen and Saskatchewan’s Eugene Hritzuk.
Howard, a two-time Brier and world champion (1987, 1993) and 2006 Olympic gold medallist, is making his Canadian Seniors debut, as is Peters, who skipped Manitoba to victory in the 1992 Brier and was the 1997 Brier runner-up.
Rafuse and his Bridgewater team just finished competing in the 2008 Tim Hortons Brier in Winnipeg, finishing with a 3-8 record, MacFadyen is a Brier and Seniors veteran, while Hritzuk, the 1988 Brier runner-up, finished second at the 2005 Canadian Seniors, then third in 2006.
The women’s roster includes Quebec’s Agnès Charette, a three-time Canadian Seniors champion (1997, 1999, 2000) and British Columbia’s Pat Sanders, who won the 1987 Canadian and world women’s titles and the 1985 Canadian mixed.
Draw results will be instantly available on the Canadian Curling Association website (www.curling.ca).
WOMEN'S TEAMS (listed in order of skip, third, second, lead)
Alberta – Calgary Curling Club, Calgary
Sandy Turner, Linda Wagner, Marilyn Toews, Judy Carr
Pat Sanders, Cheryl Noble, Roselyn Craig, Christine Jurgenson
Maureen McMaster, Shirley Crawford, Pauline Barton, Donna Soucoup
Barbara Ward, Janice Atkinson, Kathleen Bes, Jan Alexander
Northwest Territories/Yukon – Yellowknife Curling Club, Yellowknife, NWT
Gail Daniels, Margaret Begg, Terry Fisher, Marie Coe, Maurice Cormier (coach)
Nova Scotia – Glooscap Curling Club, Kentville
Yvonne Martin, Julie Morley, Andrea Saulnier, Audrey Dorey
Ann Pearson, Elaine Voisin, Carolyn Edison, Mary Hallett
Barbara Currie, Lana Simmons, Jeanette Rivard, Helen MacDonald, Allan Ledgerwood (coach)
Quebec –Buckingham Curling Club, Buckingham
Delores Syrota, Sylvia Broad, Gloria Leach, Beverly Krasowski
MEN'S TEAMS (listed in order of skip, third, second, lead)
Alberta – Calgary Winter Club, Calgary
Bob Genoway, Lorne Goodman, Fred Pugh, Steve Scrymgeour
Ken McHargue, Gerry Kent, Glenn Jaeb, Ralph Will
Vic Peters, Doug Harrison, Chris Neufeld, Doug Holmes
Gary Oke, Dennis Byrne, Gerry Boland, Jim Goodyear
Murray Affleck, Alan Hicks, Brent Taylor, Paul Duggan
Nova Scotia – Bridgewater Curling Club, Bridgewater
Brian Rafuse, Curt Palmer, Alan Darragh, Dave Slauenwhite
Bruce Delaney, Rick Bachand, Duncan Jamieson, George Mitchell
Ted MacFadyen, Craig Mackie, Sandy Foy, Mike Coady
Quebec – Club de Curling Valleyfield, Valleyfield
John Stewart, Jean-Marc McSween, Denis McSween, Raymond McSween
Eugene Hritzuk, Kevin Kalthoff, Verne Anderson, Dave Folk
Yukon/Northwest Territories – Whitehorse Curling Club, Whitehorse, Yukon
Paul Hunter, Craig Tuton, John Yeulet, Pat Molloy
| Prince Albert Golf & Curling Club, SK – March 23-30, 2008 | ||||||||
| DATE | TIME | # | A | B | C | D | E | F |
| SUNDAY | 9:00AM | 1 | Y/NWT vs MAN | Y/NWT vs MAN | N.ONT vs NB | N.ONT vs NB | SASK vs NL | SASK vs NL |
| | 2:00PM | 2 | BC vs ONT | BC vs ONT | QUE vs NS | QUE vs NS | ALTA vs PEI | ALTA vs PEI |
| | 7:00PM | 3 | N.ONT vs SASK | N.ONT vs SASK | NL vs Y/NWT | NL vs Y/NWT | MAN vs NB | MAN vs NB |
| MONDAY | 8:00AM | 4 | NB vs NL | NB vs NL | QUE vs ONT | QUE vs ONT | N.ONT vs MAN | N.ONT vs MAN |
| | 12:00 PM | 5 | ALTA vs QUE | ALTA vs QUE | BC vs PEI | BC vs PEI | NS vs ONT | NS vs ONT |
| | 4:00PM | 6 | Y/NWT vs N.ONT | Y/NWT vs N.ONT | MAN vs NL | MAN vs NL | SASK vs NB | SASK vs NB |
| | 8:00PM | 7 | PEI vs NS | PEI vs NS | BC vs ALTA | BC vs ALTA | SASK vs Y/NWT | SASK vs Y/NWT |
| TUESDAY | 8:00AM | 8 | NL vs N. ONT | NL vs N. ONT | ONT vs PEI | ONT vs PEI | NS vs NB | NS vs NB |
| | 12:00 PM | 9 | ALTA vs SASK | ALTA vs SASK | ONT vs MAN | ONT vs MAN | QUE vs Y/NWT | QUE vs Y/NWT |
| | 4:00PM | 10 | NB vs Y/NWT | NB vs Y/NWT | N.ONT vs BC | N.ONT vs BC | PEI vs NL | PEI vs NL |
| | 8:00PM | 11 | QUE vs BC | QUE vs BC | SASK vs MAN | SASK vs MAN | ALTA vs NS | ALTA vs NS |
| WEDNESDAY | 8:00AM | 12 | MAN vs QUE | MAN vs QUE | Y/NWT vs ALTA | Y/NWT vs ALTA | ONT vs SASK | ONT vs SASK |
| | 12:00 PM | 13 | NB vs PEI | NB vs PEI | NS vs N.ONT | NS vs N.ONT | BC vs NL | BC vs NL |
| | 4:00PM | 14 | ONT vs Y/NWT | ONT vs Y/NWT | SASK vs QUE | SASK vs QUE | MAN vs ALTA | MAN vs ALTA |
| | 8:00PM | 15 | NL vs NS | NL vs NS | BC vs NB | BC vs NB | PEI vs N. ONT | PEI vs N. ONT |
| THURSDAY | 8:00AM | 16 | NS vs SASK | NS vs SASK | ||||