PEICurling.com Photo: Team Birt at the Scotties
(Curl Atlantic, Sackville, NB): There’s a new game in town this month – and a new event on the calendar of the region’s top competitive curlers. The first annual Curl Atlantic Championship at the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre in Sackville, New Brunswick takes place this weekend, with round robin draws Friday Sept. 23 through Sunday the 25th, at 8 am, 12 noon, and 4 and 8 pm. The semi-finals are Monday morning at 9, with the men’s and women’s finals following at 1 pm.
At stake is an all-expense paid stop at a spiel on the European Curling Tour. The men are vying for a place in the Perth Masters in Perth, Scotland and the women in the International Bernese Ladies Cup in Bern, Switzerland. This format is unique to the region and aimed at providing opportunities for Atlantic teams to develop and gain experience against international teams.
The men’s field is led by 2004 Brier winner and world bronze medalist, Mark Dacey from Nova Scotia; and PEI’s 2009 world junior silver medalist, Brett Gallant, competing in his second season in the adult ranks. Leading the women’s side of the draw is six-time Canadian champion and two-time world champion, Colleen Jones; and last year’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts bronze medalist, Heather Smith-Dacey; both from Nova Scotia, although Smith-Dacey is originally from Sackville. Nine-time NB Brier rep James Grattan and five-time NB Scotties rep Andrea Kelly will also be competing, along with former world junior and defending PEI Scotties champ Suzanne Birt, and eight-time PEI women’s champ Kim Dolan. The current Canadian University Champs Colin Thomas from NL will be there to showcase their talent as well.
Rounding out the men’s teams are Ian Fitzner-LeBlanc (NS), Terry Odishaw (NB), Paul Dobson (NB), Kent Smith (NS), Peter Burgess (NS), Jamie Murphy (NS), John Luckhurst (NS) and Ian Juurlink (NS). The other women’s teams competing are skipped by Sylvie Robichaud (NB), Mary-Anne Arsenault (NS), Sandy Comeau (NB), Melissa Adams (NB), Kelly MacIntosh (NS), Mary Mattatall (NS) and Marie Christianson (NS).
Complete team rosters and schedule can be found on www.LiveCurling.com under the “Upcoming Events” link for the Curl Atlantic Championship. Results will also be available on LiveCurling.com.
Tickets are available in advance by calling Curl Atlantic at 902-497-6655, or can be purchased at the door. Full event passes are $40, day passes are $15, and individual draws are $5. Members of the public are welcome to enjoy free admission to the practice times on Thursday, September 22 from 3pm to 7:30pm.
Event contacts:
Helen Radford
Executive Director, Curl Atlantic
902-497-6655 / [email protected]
Jean Blackie
Head Umpire, Curl Atlantic Championship
709-424-4870 / [email protected]
