OTTAWA, December 9, 2008… The Canadian Curling Association (CCA) and Ford Motor Company of Canada are teaming up to bring curling fans an online version of the extremely popular Ford Hot Shots, the curling skills competition which has been conducted for the past 14 years at the Canadian men’s and women’s curling championships.  
 
Now, participants will be able to experience the skill and excitement of the Ford Hot Shots online, simply by visiting a special website… hotshots.curling.ca. There, you’ll find out everything about the ground-breaking contest which begins on December 9, 2008 and concludes on March 31, 2009… how to register, the rules, the competition and the prizes.  
 
It’s the first time that the CCA has unveiled an interactive skill-based game and the grand prize will be similar to what one of the curlers competing at the 2009 Scotties in Victoria will win… a two-year lease of a new 2009 Ford Flex SEL FWD, having an estimated retail value of $22,747.  
 
The two finalists will be determined by the total score from their best 20 games. There is no restriction on the number of times you can enter the Ford Hot Shots Online Game.  
 
Upon the contest closing date of March 31, 2009, the top two players (with the highest 20-game aggregate score) will be determined and then flown to Moncton, New Brunswick, site of the 2009 Ford world men’s curling championship, for a one-game online playoff on Friday, April 10.  
 
In addition to the grand prize, the runner-up prize is a Nintendo Wii Console, Deca Sports Game Bundle and an autographed Mondetta Team Canada Jacket (approximate retail value $800).  
 
There will also be a number of monthly prizes awarded during the next four months, consisting of Mondetta Team Canada Jackets (approximate retail value $500), Nintendo Wii Console and Deca Sports Game Bundle (approximate retail value $300) and $150 Gift Certificates, for use online only at http://eventmax.curling.ca, the official online store of the Canadian Curling Association’s Season of Champions.  
 
The Ford Hot Shots OnLine Game is a mirror image of the on-ice skills competition, which has proven so popular at the Hearts and Brier with championship curlers such as past winners Kelley Law, Suzanne Gaudet, Colleen Jones, Jill Officer, Ed Werenich, Greg McAulay, Pat Ryan, Randy Ferbey, Mark Nichols and John Morris.  
 
Participants must execute six basic curling shots… Hit and Stay, Draw the Button, Draw the Port, The Raise, Hit and Roll and Double Takeout. Points are awarded depending on the success of each shot, along with bonus points generated for curling over the Ford logo in this special online version. Upon completion of the game, which only takes about three minutes to complete, your total score will be recorded and registered.  
 
Play the Ford Hot Shots Game OnLine, as often as you wish… now at hotshots.curling.ca.