Issue 2 – Sunday, January 31, 2010 • An Official Publication of the Canadian Curling Association.
Andrea Kelly and her New Brunswick rink had a rough opening day Saturday, with two straight defeats.
This house is rockin’! Surprising Islanders grab the early lead ■ P.E.I. picks a few pockets, Page 2
We want the 2009-2010 Season of Champions to be a safe one for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced the DUI-ver program. We encourage all our fans to make the most of the Keith’s Patch experience. But when it’s time to head home, please arrange a responsible ride.
■ Holland’s a real hot shot, Page 7
DON’T BE A LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN THE HOUSE!
Page 2
HeartChart
Islanders shakin’ it up Changes to lineup prove helpful for Day 1 frontrunners Larry Wood HeartChart Editor
I
t was good enough for Russ Howard and Brad Gushue at the 2006 Olympic Games, so why not Prince Edward Island’s latest Scotties curling contender? “That’s the way we figured it,” said veteran skip and second shooter Kathy O’Rourke following her second straight Scotties victory Saturday night at the Essar Centre, an 11-8 conquest of New Brunswick’s Andrea Kelly. O’Rourke actually was the last piece of the puzzle in place for this new Island team that sets the pace at 2-and-0 going into today’s three-draw schedule. Having played in five previous renditions of the Canadian women’s curling championship, O’Rourke was obvious choice to call the shots on a team with a pair of 21-year-old junior grads and long-time lead Tricia Affleck. The latter was looking for a new team and consulted O’Rourke who recommended the back end of last year’s P.E.I. junior contender — Erin Carmody and Geri-Lynn Ramsay. The three joined forces and then decided O’Rourke would make an ideal fourth, much like Howard fit like a glove when Gushue won the 2005 Trials and the 2006 gold medal at Torino.
Newfoundland’s Shelley Nichols, above, calls a stone into the house during a 12-2 victory over the Territories. Why so glum, chum? P.E.I.’s Geri-Lynn Ramsay, left, and Tricia Affleck discuss strategy during a two-win opening day at the Scotties. The Islanders defeated Saskatchewan and New Brunswick on Saturday. O’Rourke said the young players on the back end “are very good shooters” and lifting the responsibility of skipping from Carmody’s shoulders in her first Scotties is a sound tactical move. “I think it will be very helpful,” said O’Rourke. “She (Carmody) doesn’t have to worry about whether or not she has taken the right ice, she just has to go down and execute. And the combination has worked well so far. “It was a little tricky at first, skipping for lead rocks, then running down the ice to throw two, then running back to call the shots for the last four. But I’m getting
used to the drill now.” Carmody agreed. “Kathy calls a great game, she knows exactly where to put the broom down and we all trust her completely,” said the last-rocker. “It just makes sense the way we’re lined up and, also, I love to sweep so I get my share of that.” Still, the Islanders are far from looking forward to a picnic following Day One. “It’s exciting to be here,” said Carmody, “but I think I’m still a little nervous.” Earlier, P.E.I. stole nine points in a surprising 10-3 pummelling of Saskatchewan’s Amber Holland Kronau who had won the Ford Hot Shots skills competition
earlier in the day. “I’d trade the car for the win,” said Holland. “We forgot how to curl. They came out strong, we didn’t, hence the result.” Defending champion Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg opened with an evening win in her lone assignment of the day, pulling away from a former teammate — Manitoba’s Jill Thurston — by a 10-5 count. Jones stole three-enders in the fourth and ninth ends. “The ice was fudging and I just never caught on to it,” said Thurston. “I’d throw what I thought was draw weight and it was light. I threw eight feet more and it was light. I’d throw another six feet and I was still light. I just never got it.” Said Jones: “The teams that catch on to the ice for the whole week are the teams that’ll be there at the
end. The ice may have been a little challenging but you have to adjust and I think we did a pretty good job of that.” On an adjacent sheet, young Alberta upstart Valerie Sweeting of Edmonton followed a string of upsets in her home province by stunning 2007 world champion Kelly Scott of Kelowna 6-5. Sweeting was scored at 95 per cent on her last shots. Scott was heavy on a last-rock draw for two in the 10th end to force overtime. “We lost our first game to Tracy Streifel and came back to win the Scotties,” reasoned Scott, “so this isn’t the end of the world.” Sweeting, 22, said her team is far from being intimidated by the field of champions. “We just wanted to go out there and play like we
know we can,” she said. “We knew it would be a good game and we had to take our chances when they came along and if we did that we could do well.” Host-province favourite Ontario exploded from the starting gate on the afternoon shift, stealing six points en route to as 9-2 pummelling of New Brunswick’s Kelly. McCarville won 11 straight at the start of the month to win the Ontario title after finishing third at the Tim Hortons Olympic Trials at Edmonton in December. “It was a nice way to get it going,” said McCarville, who added she’s never entered a Scotties feeling more confident in herself and her team. This is McCarville’s fourth Ontario representation in five years.
Please see CHANGES, Page 10
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Page 3
FACES OF THE GAMES: At left, members of Saskatchewan’s rink (from left, Heather Kalenchuk, Amber Holland and Tammy Schneider) reflect on their Scotties debut, a 10-3 loss to P.E.I. Below, Ontario skip Krista McCarville holds daughter Isabella, aged four months.
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Page 4
HeartChart
Tara’s biggest fan will be rooting from the stands
JIM CRONIN
HeartChart Columnist
T
here’s no question that Tom and Mary Coulterman will be two of the most engaged fans during the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts underway at the Essar Centre here in Sault Ste. Marie. That’s because this year’s Scotties is a family affair for the Coultermans, whose daughter Tara George is playing third for Team Ontario. Tara grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and began curling at a young age under the tutelage of her father Tom, who’s well known in curling circles as one of Canada’s top junior coaches. Tom says although he has worn
two hats, those of a father and a coach, he has only one focus during the Scotties. “I’m here as a father this week,” he says. “I may look at certain shots and the way she throws and everything else, but I try not to get involved because Rick Lang is their coach now and I don’t want to detract from that.” Tara, meantime, says she’s “not nervous, just excited” to be playing in front of a hometown crowd, which is expected to be loud and boisterous all week in support of Team Ontario, particularly when Tara’s in the hack. “The one thing I’ve always loved about the Sault is how the people get behind their teams,” she says. The arena was also packed in Thunder Bay earlier this month when the Krista McCarville rink, with Tara at third, won the Ontario championship for the fourth time. Tara said the large crowds in Thunder Bay gave the team a good idea of what it would be like here in the Sault. Tara arrived in Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday night
from Thunder Bay, where she works as a casino shift manager at the OLG Casino. It’s been a somewhat harrowing time for her leading up to the Sault trip. Last week she was in a car accident in Thunder Bay, when her vehicle was rear-ended by another car in slippery road conditions. Fortunately, she was not seriously injured. “I’m OK . . . just a little stiff. I saw a chiropractor in Thunder Bay and I’ll probably get to know the local massage therapist here in the Sault quite well,” says Tara. She, her husband and two children also had a scary trip from Thunder Bay to the Sault, along the blustery shores of Lake Superior, on Thursday night. Blizzardlike conditions made travel a little hair-raising with zero visibility in some areas. They arrived safely, but too late for Tara to meet up with her dad at the Essar Centre. They finally got together Friday morning.
Please see CRONIN, Page 10
Healthy and Vibrant Communities We are pleased to support the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in promoting sports and recreational opportunities in Sault Ste. Marie. Call us to discuss ideas for your community. Des communautés saines et dynamiques Nous sommes heureux d'appuyer le Tournoi des Coeurs Scotties de 2010 qui participera à la promotion des activités de sports et loisirs à Sault Ste. Marie. Appelez-nous pour discuter de vos idées au sujet de votre communauté.
1.800.263.2887 www.trilliumfoundation.org
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Page 5
Prairie pride overcomes fire’s ferocity LARRY WOOD HeartChart Editor
H
ey, ever heard of a major curling competition postponed on account of — wait for it — fire? You hear often about power failure, ice-plant breakdowns and the usual complaints about ice conditions at these affairs but a six-alarm conflagration? Ninety-nine times out of 100 it would be, “sorry, pardon the chaos, event cancelled.” Not so, however, in beautiful downtown Kindersley, original site of the 2010
Saskatchewan Scotties championship. The blaze began to crackle on Jan. 8 when, at roughly 10 a.m., fire alarms sounded in the West Central Events Centre, a complex that includes two hockey rinks and the adjacent Kindersley Curling Club. Lead players were just fitting their footwear in the hacks when the uproar commenced. Scotties contenders immediately were evacuated from
the premises. More than 60 firefighters from Kindersley, nearby Eatonia, Eston and Kerrobert soon were on hand to fight the battle. In addition, the Oyen fire department over the border in Alberta was placed on stand-by. No one was seriously injured and the cause of the blaze was not suspicious.
Please see WOOD, Page 12
Sault Ste. Marie O N TA R I O
Photo courtesy, saskcurl.com
Fire consumes Kindersley’s old arena on Jan. 8.
Tourism SSM and the City of SSM proudly welcome all athletes, family and fans to the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
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C A N A D A
Page 6
HeartChart
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Nova Scotia: Skip: Nancy McConnery Home: Dartmouth Began curling at age: 23 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: VP administration Employer: Translogic Distribution Services Date of birth: Feb. 26, 1963 Place of birth: Ottawa Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Peter Children: Jason (18), Jamie (17) First vehicle: Ford Thunderbird Current vehicle: 2009 Honda Civic Favourite food: Prime rib roast Favourite drink: Chocolate liqueur Celebrity dream man: Dennis Quaid Most annoying celebrity: Jennifer Aniston All-time favourite movie: Frequency Last movie she loved: Day After Tomorrow Last movie she hated: Anything directed by Quentin Tarantino Tattooed? None Never leave home without: Her hair fixed Competed in: 93, 95, 03, 09 Scotties.
Third: Jennifer Crouse Home: Timberlea, N.S. Began curling at age: 13 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Regional sales manager Employer: Manulife Financial Date of birth: Jan. 23, 1980 Place of birth: Antigonish, N.S. Marital status: Commonlaw Spouse/partner: Jeff Children: No kids (cat and
dog instead) First vehicle: 2001 Saturn SC2 Current vehicle: 2007 yellow Beetle convertible Favourite food: Kraft Dinner Favourite drink: Black rum and coke Celebrity dream man: Paul Walker Most annoying celebrity: Paris Hilton All-time favourite movie: The Power Of One Last movie she loved: 27 Dresses (loves Katherine Heigl) Last movie she hated: I Am Legend (it scared the begeebies out of her and she didn’t sleep for two weeks) Tattooed? Doesn’t need them, has a purple birthmark and a large Nova Scotiashaped birthmark Never leaves home without: Her rubber boots Competed in: 09 Scotties.
Second: Sheena Gilman Home: Parry Sound, Ont., and Dartmouth Began curling at age: 12 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Intern Architect
Pink drinks, KD, rubber boot reliance, Vic Rauter worship and feta fetishes
Employer: Fowler Bauld and Mitchell Architecture Ltd. Date of birth: Dec 12, 1978 Place of birth: Ottawa Marital status: Unmarried Spouse/partner: None Children: None First vehicle: 97 Saturn Current vehicle: 97 Saturn Favourite food: Anything homemade Favourite drink: Anything pink Celebrity dream man: Vic Rauter Most annoying celebrity: Paris Hilton All-time favourite movie: The Red Violin
Last movie she loved: Life As A House Last movie she hated: None Tattooed? Not yet . . . Never leaves home without: Turning off all the lights Competed in: 09 Scotties
Lead: Jill Thomas Home: Cole Harbour, N.S. Began curling at age: 21 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Egg producer, owner/operator Employer: Scotia Poultry Farm Ltd. Date of birth: April 5, 1975 Place of birth: Halifax Marital status: Hoping he will ask soon! Spouse/ partner: James McNeil
Children: None First vehicle: Dodge Shadow Current vehicle: Jeep Liberty Favourite food: Chicken Favourite drink: Bahama Mommas Celebrity dream man: Bradley Cooper Most annoying celebrity: Lindsay Lohan All-time favourite movie: Pretty Woman Last movie she loved: Up Last movie she hated: Anything horror Tattooed? Not in this lifetime! Never leaves home without: Gum and chapstick Competed in: 09 Scotties
Fifth: Kelly MacIntosh Home: Halifax Began curling at age: 12 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Registered nurse Employer: IWK Health Centre, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Date of birth: May 8, 1980 Place of birth: Truro Marital status: Relationship Spouse/partner: Eduardo Alvarez Children: None First vehicle: 2009 Pontiac Vibe Current vehicle: 2009 Pontiac Vibe Favourite food: Pizza, especially with feta cheese Favourite drink: Mango juice Celebrity dream man: Vic Rauter Most annoying celebrity: Paula Abdul All-time favourite movie: For the Love of the Game Last movie she loved: Four Christmases Last movie she hated: Drillbit Taylor Tattooed? Nothing permanent Never leaves home without: Shoes Competed in: 99 Junior Nationals.
Coach: Carole MacLean Home: Dartmouth Occupation/title: Dental hygienist Employer: Micmac Dental Centre Date of birth: May 18, 1960 Place of birth: Halifax Coached: 09 Scotties From left, Nancy McConnery, Jill Thomas and Sheena Gilman.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
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FORD HOT SHOTS COMPETITION
Holland hops into driver’s seat
Saskatchewan skip outduels MacLean in event final Larry Wood HeartChart Editor
S
uddenly, Amber Holland needs a double garage. The skip of the Saskatchewan team at the 2010 Scotties at the Essar Centre executed a perfect lastrock double-takeout which vaulted her into the driver’s seat of a brand new Taurus in Saturday’s Ford Hot Shots finale. Holland already drives of 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander, an all-wheel drive vehicle perfect for Saskatchewan winters. Now she also has a two-year lease on the 2010 Taurus. Holland, who doubles as executive director of the Saskatchewan Curling Association, defeated Ontario lead Kari MacLean of Thunder Bay 21-18 in the Hot Shots wrap-up. MacLean took the lead on the first shot of the points competition with a draw to the button and the advantage see-sawed back and forth between the two on
every subsequent shot. Holland reaped a fivepoint reward from her double-kill to complete the assignment. MacLean then drew a blank on the same shot. So what’s Holland going to do with the new unit and how will she split the spoils with her rinkmates? “I don’t know,” she said. “I’ll probably drive it. Actually, I guess I get the car pool for the next two years. I’ll be picking up everybody and driving everywhere we go. Sometimes I drive when we’re on the road. Now it’s going to be full-time.” Holland and lead Heather Kalenchuk reside in Regina while the Schneider sisters, third Kim and second Tammy, are from Kronau, a handful of kilometres southeast of the Queen City. All are appearing in their initial Scotties. Coincidentally, the Schneiders’ father and uncles made their only Brier appearance at the Sault back in 1990 and compiled a 6-6 record. They are leading the Saskatchewan cheerleading brigade at the Scotties. But while Holland considers the Hot Shots victory a good omen of sorts — “Why not?” she asks — it really doesn’t take away from the Scotties job at hand. “It’s nice to win the compe-
Saskatchewan skip Amber Holland is presented Saturday afternoon with a two-year lease on a 2010 Taurus by Ford of Canada director of marketing Jim Hartford after winning the Hot Shots event. tition. I’m just glad I executed enough shots,” said Holland, who favoured the out-turn on her shots. “I really didn’t expect to win it. But there’s a whole lot of games left to happen. We have to do what we came here to do. It hasn’t got anything to do with winning a car.” Holland tied with MacLean at 16 points in the quarter-finals behind Tammy Schneider (25) and Winnipeg’s Jill Thurston (21).
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Eliminated were Friday’s preliminary leader Dawn Askin of Team Canada with 13 points, Quebec’s Brenda Nicholls with 14, Manitoba’s Kristen Phillips with 13 and Territories lead Danielle Ellis with 10. In the semi-finals, Holland and MacLean set up the tight final by matching 24-point performances. Thurston logged 19 points and Schneider faltered to a mere 12.
MacLean won $2,000 for her runner-up finish while Thurston, the Manitoba skip, claimed $1,000. The shotmaking competition requires curlers to execute six shots: Hit-andstay, draw-the-button, drawthe-port, raise, hit-and-roll and double takeout. Each shot is awarded points on a scale from 0-5, rating the success of each. Sweepers were allowed for the final rounds Saturday
but were not involved in the preliminaries. The Ford of Canada Taurus has an approximate retail value in excess of $25,000. The vehicle features a 3.5L V6 engine with 6-speed automatic transmission. The only two-time winner in the history of the event was Kelley Law of Vancouver, the B.C. runner-up this year and 2002 Canadian Olympic skip. Other previous winners: Kelli Turpin, formerly of Inuvik N.W.T., Sherry Fraser and Kristy Lewis of Richmond, B.C., Marcy Balderston of Grande Prairie, Kay Montgomery, playing out of Prince Albert, Gerri Cooke of Minnedosa, Man., Andrea Lawes of Toronto, Jenn Hanna of Ottawa, Allison (Franey) Farrell of Saint John, Suzanne (Gaudet) Birt of Charlottetown, Colleen Jones of Halifax and last year’s winner and current Olympic skip Cheryl Bernard of Calgary. For the second consecutive year, Ford and the Canadian Curling Association are promoting an interactive on-line version of the Hot Shots skills competition. All information, including rules, regulations, player registration and game instructions are available at FordHotShots.curling.ca.
The Party Line • Your guide to what’s goin’ on
Page 8
your guide to what’s goin’ on
Catch the Last Lap for The Chevelles! The final performance of a vibrant threenight stand for the Chevelles gets on track tonight at 10:30 pm in the HeartStop Lounge! The Chevelles have become a fan favourite on the Season of Champions circuit – playing for enthusiastic crowds at last year’s Scotties, Tim Hortons Brier and Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings. Anyone who has been part of the crowd for the previous shows will confirm you missed out on an electrifying experience, driven by a powerful band. They’ll be shifting in to high gear one more time, so make sure you’re along for the ride!
It’s So Cool Curling in the HeartStop Lounge The competition on the ice at the Essar Centre is a sure bet to be sizzling all week… in the HeartStop Lounge, it will be extremely cool! That’s the setting for the 2010 Scotties Cool Curling competition. Cool Curling - the tabletop version of the roaring game – has become a feature attraction at Season of Champions events. If you think you have what it takes, sign up now and don’t miss out on the action!
on stage
It’s first come, first served. The draw is posted now in the HeartStop Lounge for the round robin, running Monday to Thursday. Four qualifiers will be selected each day to advance to the playoffs on Saturday, February 6. The semifinals and championship final take place Sunday. And the winners take home some cool cash - $600 for the champs, $300 for second and $150 for third.
Take a
Free Ride
Monday, February 1 – DJ
Night • 10:30 pm Tuesday, February 2 – Bone Yard • 10:30 pm Wednesday, February 3 – College Battle of the Bands • 10:00 pm Thursday, February 4 – Dirty Little Swing Thing • 10:30 pm Friday, February 5 – Superfreak Disco Band • 10:30 pm Saturday, February 6 – Rockstar Live • 10:00 pm Shuttle service is available daily between the Essar Centre and HeartStop Lounge at the Soo Curlers Association. The service is provided by Tim Hortons and the City of Sault Ste. Marie. Shuttles will depart every half hour to both venues. Departure points are the main parking lot near the front entrance of the Essar Centre and front door of the Soo Curlers Association.
Full schedules are posted at both departure points and online at seasonofchampions.ca
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Page 9
It’s Simply up close
personal
HeartStop Lounge Menu
and
Homestyle Cooking
Golden Memories!
Available Daily 11 am – 8 pm
Today – 2:00 pm
Provided by Rico’s
Catering
Daily Menu
It’s not every day you have the opportunity to meet with an Olympic gold medalist. Well, drop into the HeartStop Lounge this afternoon and you’ll have the chance to meet two!
Pasta and Meatballs $6.00 • Soup and Sandwich $6.00 Salads (Garden, Caesar or Greek) $4.00
Today’s Specials Served 6 pm - 8 pm
In 1998, Sandra Schmirler led her Saskatchewan team to a gold medal for Canada in Nagano, Japan. Today, third Jan Betker and lead Marcia Gudereit will be sitting down in the HeartStop Lounge to share their feelings on an Olympic experience that will live on forever in the memories of curling fans from Canada and around the world.
up close
Dinner Feature
&personal
Two of the Best from the West!
Cabbage Roll Dinner with Garden Salad
$10.00
Vegetarian Option
Vegetable Stir-Fry with Noodles $8.00
A tasty array of food options are available nightly from 8pm to 1am Provided by Soo Curlers Restaurant
Today – 6:30 pm
The Alberta Scotties knocked the socks off everyone – including the victorious Valerie Sweeting team from Edmonton’s Saville Centre.
Twenty-four young curlers - representing clubs in Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding communities - were selected as Junior Stars through a random draw of applicants. The lucky Stars receive: a hat, event pin, jacket, photo with their assigned team, a tour of the TSN mobile and event tickets to their team’s draw for themselves and two chaperones.
“We’re shocked to be honest,” said Sweeting, after taking down perennial favourite Shannon Kleibrink with a runback takeout in an extra-end final. The team truly represents the “very young at Hearts” - at an average age of just under 22 years, they hit the national stage after their first shot at the Alberta Scotties. Meanwhile, in Manitoba the Jill Thurston foursome also went to an extra-end before earning the right to represent the province at the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Sunday 7:30 pm feature Stars: Team Nova Scotia Malisha Alloway Austin Adams
While this marks the third trip to the Scotties for Thurston, it’s her first as a skip – a role she hasn’t played since 1996.
Today
2:00 pm PEI – Kathy O’Rourke 6:30 pm Canada – Jennifer Jones
Monday Come and meet your favourite curlers! From today until Friday teams will be featured in the HeartStop Lounge.
2:00 pm SK – Amber Holland 6:30 pm NS – Nancy McConnery
Team Ontario Makaila Alloway Cody Tetreault
Tuesday
2:00 pm NB – Andrea Kelly 6:30 pm BC – Kelly Scott
AB – Valerie Sweeting
Wednesday 1:00 pm MB – Jill Thurston 5:30 pm ONT – Krista McCarville
Thursday 2:00 pm QB – Eve Belisle NL – Shelley Nichols 6:30 pm NWT/Y – Sharon Cormier Friday
6:30 pm Olympic
Team – Cheryl Bernard
Page 10
HeartChart
ROAD TO THE SCOTTIES
Belisle rebounds from P.G. faux pas
Larry Wood HeartChart Editor
T
wo teams that had focused their recent seasons upon qualifying for the Canadian Olympic Trials met in the Quebec provincial final in January for the third straight year. But the 7-5 win at the Montreal West Curling Club was the first in three tries for Eve Belisle of Montreal over Marie-France Larouche of St-Romuald. It also was Belisle’s first provincial Scotties success since her first Quebec win in 2006. Belisle, supported by Brenda Nicholls, Martine For Tom, his wife Mary, and other members of the Coulterman clan, having the 2010 Scotties in Sault Ste. Marie is a dream come true. “We are a little nervous but really excited for her,” he says. “It’s a great opportunity. She’s coming back to her hometown and I think it’s great.” Coming to the Sault was also a special treat for Tara’s children, who will be in the stands watching their mother play in the national championship for the first time. “The kids are really beginning to understand,” she
Comeau and Julie Rainville, lost three straight at the Prince George pre-Trials in November but succeeded in erasing that disappointing memory with a 9-3 record in the 10-team Quebec shootout. The advantage changed hands three times in the thrilling final that culminated in a 10th-end three-ender for Belisle. Larouche, who’d dominated the round robin with an 8-1 record, blanked the first end but Belisle stole a single in the second which Larouche matched in the third. Belisle blanked the fourth end, took two to lead 3-1 at the half and continued to control proceedings with
From Page 4
CRONIN says. “They see mommy on TV and really get into it.” But Tara said her children still have some innocence when it comes to the competitive nature of the game. Her daughter asked, “Mommy, it’s OK if you don’t win every game, right? It’s about having fun, right?” Tara says it was a little tricky working around that question. Unfortunately, the Coul-
a pair of double takeouts in the sixth to force Larouche to take a single. Larouche then stole the tying point in the seventh when Belisle opted to concede rather than attempt a dicey raise-double to score three.
QUEBEC In the eighth end, Larouche forced Belisle to one point with a double take-
termans aren’t going to be able to spend a whole lot of time with their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren after the Scotties ends on Feb. 7. Both Tara and husband have to be back at their jobs in Thunder Bay early in the week following the conclusion of the 2010 Scotties. The fervent wish of all Sault Ste. Marie curling fans, including Tom and Mary Coulterman, is that Tara will leave her hometown for the trip back to Thunder Bay as a Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion.
out, then assumed control in the ninth with an open draw after Belisle’s last rock wrecked on a guard. The final end boiled down to the last shot. Larouche attempted to promote a rock from the eight-foot to the four-foot with her last but failed to raise it far enough. That left Belisle with a certain tying point and, for the win, a double takeout attempt while avoiding a jam back on Larouche stones. Belisle executed the twin-kill perfectly with only seconds remaining on the time clock. Following the round robin, Larouche (8-1) and Allison Ross (7-2) of Ormstown clashed in the Page
“It’s nice, too, because she (Kelly) beat us last year. So we got a little revenge there.” The game’s turning point was the sixth end when Kelly, trailing 4-1, needed to avoid a guard and erase McCarville’s lone rock in the rings for a tying three-count. McCarville had partially buried her last stone, then watched Kelly’s last wreck on the front stone. Elsewhere on the tournament’s opening draw, Newfoundland/Labrador clobbered the Territories 12-2 and Quebec stole two in an extra end to polish off
Eve Belisle made a quick pre-Trials exit, but has rebounded with a Quebec provincial title. One-Two playoff while Belisle and Saskia Hollands of Lacolle, both 6-3, faced off in the Page Three-Four
From Page 2
CHANGES Nova Scotia 8-6. The squad from The Rock had an easy time of it with an ice cold group of Polars skipped by Sharon Cormier of Yellowknife. “My girls played so well today and it made my job so easy,” said St. John’s skip Shelley Nichols. “Tell you what. This means we won’t be going 0-and-11 and I’m excited about that.” Cormier rebounded in the evening to throttle Nancy Mc-
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tilt. Larouche advanced to the final with an 8-3 verdict, Belisle drummed out Hollands 11-5, then doubled up on Ross 8-4 in the semifinal. Larouche finished 9-2, having lost only to veteran Chantal Osborne of Thurso (11-9 in Round Four) prior to the final. Ross was 7-4, Hollands 6-4 and Osborne 5-4. Up the track, Andree Dufresne of St-Romuald and Helene Pelchat of Valleyview were 4-5, Annie Cadorette of Trois-Rivieres was 3-6, Debbie Waller of Ormstown was 2-7 and Karla Ekdom-Delorme of Baie d’Urfe was winless in nine matches.
Connery’s Bluenosers 8-2. “This afternoon we didn’t have draw weight,” said Cormier. “Tonight, we had it. That was the difference.” Quebec trailed the Nova Scotians all the way until two precise shots from skip Eve Belisle squared the account in the 10th end of their afternoon fracas. The jig was up when McConnery missed her last shot of the 11th end. “They were above us all game so we were lucky,” said a relieved Belisle. “But she had a tough shot in the extra end and I think we played well there.”
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Page 11
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Territories: Skip: Sharon Cormier Home: Yellowknife Began curling at age: 12 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Finance officer Employer: Government of the NWT, public works and services Date of birth: July 8, 1964 Place of birth: Regina Marital status: Married Spouse/partner: Maurice (Tex) Cormier Children: Joshua (22), Megan (20) First vehicle: Chevrolet Chevette Current vehicle: Ford F-150 Supercrew Favourite food: Cinnamon buns Favourite drink: Labatt Lite Celebrity dream man: Her husband says she has to say him Most annoying celebrity: Jay Leno All-time favourite movie: Pretty Woman Last movie she loved: The Hangover Last movie she hated: None Tattooed? No Never leaves home without: Credit card Competed in: 80, 81 national juniors, 86 mixed, 93, 97, 98, 02, 03, 09 Scotties
Third: Tara Naugler Home: Yellowknife Began curling at age: 11 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Assistant negotiator Employer: Government of the NWT Date of birth: March 14, 1977 Place of birth: Yellowknife Marital status: Married
Spouse/partner: Thomas Naugler Children: Adam (6), Ben (4) First vehicle: Datsun 280 ZX Current vehicle: Grand Caravan Favourite food: Grilled veggie sandwich Favourite drink: Dark rum and coke Celebrity dream man: Daniel Craig Most annoying celebrity: None All-time favourite movie: Circle Of Friends Last movie she loved: Casino Royale Last movie she hated: None. Tattooed? Nope Never leaves home without: Her kids Competed in: 92, 93, 94, 95, 97 Junior Nationals, 97 World Juniors, 03 Scotties.
Megan Cormier, left, and Sharon Cormier
Red wine, cinnamon buns, 007 dreams, Subway cravings and Leno loathing
Second: Megan Cormier Home: Yellowknife Began curling at age: Six Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Stay-athome-mom Employer: Cormier family Date of birth: July 18, 1989 Place of birth: Yellowknife Marital status: Relationship Spouse/partner: Romaine Ellis Children: Kobe Ellis (1) First vehicle: Dodge Neon Current vehicle: Chevy Cavalier Favourite food: Subway Favourite drink: Spicy Caesar Celebrity dream man: Taye Diggs Most annoying celebrity: Conan O’Brien
All-time favourite movie: In her Shoes Last movie she loved: The Blind Side Last movie she hated: Adventure Land Tattooed? Yes, one Never leaves home without: iPhone Competed in: 07 Canada Games, 07 National Juniors, 06 Arctic Winter Games
Lead: Danielle Ellis Home: Yellowknife Began curling at age: 8 Delivery: Right
Occupation/title: Hairstylist Employer: Vixen Hair Den Date of birth: Aug. 10, 1984 Place of birth: Winnipeg Marital status: Relationship Spouse/partner: Brad Talbot Children: Dog, Brooklyn, cat, Jerry First vehicle: ‘99 Saturn SC2 Current vehicle: ‘99 Jeep Grand Cherokee Favourite food: Subway Favourite drink: Budweiser Celebrity dream man: Batman Most annoying celebrity: None All-time favourite movie: The Dark Knight Last movie she loved: The Dark Knight Last movie she hated: None Tattooed? Yes, two Never leaves home without: Hmmmm Competed in: 00, 01, 02 Junior Nationals, 02 Arctic Winter Games
Fifth: Dawn Moses Home: Yellowknife Began curling at age: 10 Delivery: Right Occupation/title: Youth and volunteer program officer Employer: Government of the NWT Date of birth: Nov 10, 1969 Place of birth: Mayo, Yukon Marital status: None Spouse/partner: None Children: None First vehicle: 1990 Ford Tempo Current vehicle: 2009 Ford Escape Favourite food: Cheese Favourite drink: Red wine Celebrity dream man: Johnny Depp Most annoying celebrity: Paris Hilton All-time favourite movie: Braveheart Last movie she loved: Avatar Last movie she hated: None Tattooed? Yes, one Never leaves home without: Hairspray, cellphone Competed in: 87, 88, 89 Junior Nationals, 90, 92, 95, 98, 00, 01, 03, 07, 08, 09 Scotties, 02 Mixed Nationals
Coach: Brian Kelln Home: Yellowknife Occupation/title: Program manager Employer: City of Yellowknife Date of birth: April 5, 1957 Place of birth: Regina Coached/played: Coached NWT, 2000, 01, 02, 04, 05, 06 Junior Nationals, NWT/Yukon, 2003 Scotties. Played NWT/Yukon, 09 Senior Nationals.
Page 12
HeartChart
From Page 5
WOOD: ‘Amazing’ response saves Saskatchewan’s Scotties Turned out, in fact, it was the result of a young worker attempting to thaw frozen pipes with a blow-torch. Nevertheless, a state of emergency was declared in Kindersley. Officials immediately began evacuating local residents one block in all directions from the arena complex. The local ambulance service provided shelter and medical aid due to the extreme cold temperatures. Two adjacent schools were evacuated. Several vehicles and homes were damaged from broken glass and paint damage. The original arena, built in 1955 as the home base for the Kindersley Klippers hockey team’s fitness/training area, storage areas plus a local figure skating club and the town’s minor sports offices was levelled in 40 minutes. “The curling and new hockey rink were OK,” says Larry McGrath, the man bearing Kindersley’s most famous curling name. “The old building was all wood. A lot of memorabilia, and an old kitchen and seating area were lost. But there was a huge firewall between the buildings that saved the ice plant, the new hockey rink and curling club. There
was some smoke damage which will keep the facilities closed until next fall.” You may recall McGrath, who resides in nearby Dodsland and skipped Saskatchewan’s champ in the 1974 Brier and three teams in the national mixed, winning twice. He was a driver during the championship that was moved 50 kilometres south to the Eston Curling Club. “It was costly for the community in terms of ice usage, hotels, restaurants,” says McGrath. “They had to kill the big Oilmen’s bonspiel in late January. That brought a lot of money into the district.” Within three hours, eventual champion Amber Holland of Regina, who also is the executive director of the Saskatchewan Curling Association, was embroiled in an emergency meeting with a SCA executive, the association’s head coach, and members of the organizing committee. “It was amazing how the host committee from Kindersley just walked into the Eston Curling Club and did the best they could . . . . and it was a great job,” recalls Holland. “I’m sure the community
in Eston had more pies and soup made on that Friday to be ready for us on Saturday. You walked into the rink and everybody was bending over backwards to make it happen. It was amazing.” Players whose equipment remained at the smoke-damaged Kindersley club retained every glove, broom, shoe and jacket. Some teams chose to stay in Eston and volunteer drivers from Kindersley continued despite the 40-minute drive. Ice technicians worked on the ice all day Friday and were able to give the curlers conditions very similar to those in Kindersley with the emphasis on curl. And the championship concluded a mere two hours later than originally scheduled. “The ice was a little keener in Kindersley,” recalls Holland. “Probably six-to-eight feet heavier but good curl, good rocks, no problem. “Hey, we may be losing a few clubs and members but the communities we have in Saskatchewan are strong.” In this case, everybody for miles around pulled together. Just another example of good old Prairie pride holding forth.
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Page 13
Time out for trivia Larry Wood HeartChart Editor
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Kathy O’Rourke last skipped the P.E.I., champ at the Scotties in which year? And what was her won-lost record that year? 2. Name the curler who, in non-skipping roles, has appeared in the most Canadian women’s championships. 3. In how many Scotties has she played and how many skips has she played for? 4. Name them and the number of appearances with each..
5. Current Nova Scotia skip Nancy McConnery is representing Nova Scotia for the third time at the Scotties. She also played for which province in two other Scotties. 6. In which years and in which roles? 7. Name the only curler competing in the 2010 Scotties who was born in Sault Ste. Marie. 8. She holds a particular distinction as a junior competitor. What is it? 9. You know that two former Scotties champions adorn the field this week. But name three skips who actually have beaten the champs the year they
won in Scotties competition.
10. Who were the champs they defeated and in what years? 11. Who were those champions? 12. Name the Scott Tournament of Hearts skips who have defeated the eventual champion more times than any other. 13. They’re from where, and how many champs have they beaten? 14. Can you name the champs they have beaten?
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QofD: 2002, record 3-and8. 2. Kimberly Kelly 3. 14 Scotties, two skips. 4. Colleen Jones 13 times, Mary-Anne Arsenault once. 5. New Brunswick 6. Skip in 1993, third in 1995. 7. Tara George. 8. She skipped the first Northern Ontario entry in
the Canadian Juniors in 1991. 9. Nancy McConnery, Kelly Scott, Krista McCarville. 10. McConnery defeated Colleen Jones in 2003, Scott defeated Jennifer Jones in 2005, McCarville defeated Scott in 2006. 11. King beat Connie Laliberte, MacPhee beat Sandra Schmirler, Strong beat Colleen Jones (twice).
12. Agnes Charette, Colleen Jones 13. Charette from Buckingham, Quebec; Jones from Halifax; each have beaten four champs. 14. Charette — Penny LaRocque, Connie Laliberte, Heather Houston, Sandra Schmirler; Jones — Marj Mitchell, Connie Laliberte, Heather Houston, Kelley Law.
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Page 14
HeartChart
SCOTTIES CUMULATIVE STATS Skips
Editor: Larry Wood
Associate Editor: Todd Kimberley
Photography: Andrew Klaver
Name Valerie Sweeting (Alta.) Krista McCarville (Ont.) Kelly Scott (B.C.) Erin Carmody (P.E.I.) Jennifer Jones (Canada) Shelley Nicholls (N.L.) Eve Belisle (Que.) Nancy McConnery (N.S.) Sharon Cormier (NWT/YT) Jill Thurston (Man.) Andrea Kelly (N.B.) Amber Holland (Sask.)
Seconds % age 95 80 76 75 75 75 69 65 65 63 59 46
Name Sasha Carter (B.C.) Ashley Miharija (Ont.) Whitney More (Alta.) Jill Officer (Canada) Rhonda Rogers (N.L.) Jillian Babin (N.B.) Leslie Wilson (Man.) Martine Comeau (Que.) Megan Cormier (NWT/YT) Kathy O’Rourke (P.E.I.) Tammy Schneider (Sask.) Sheena Gilman (N.S.)
Thirds Name Jeanna Schraeder (B.C.) Kristen Phillips (Man.) Megan Einarson (Alta.) Cathy Overton-Clapham (Canada) Tara George (Ont.) Brenda Nicholls (Que.) Denise Nowlan (N.B.) Jennifer Crouse (N.S.) Stephanie LeDrew (N.L.) Geri-Lynn Ramsay (P.E.I.) Tara Naugler (NWT/YT) Kim Schneider (Sask.)
% age 89 88 86 86 86 82 75 73 70 68 65 64
Leads % age 91 85 84 81 81 75 74 71 68 64 59 56
Name Jacquie Armstrong (B.C.) Lindsay Makichuk (Alta.) Heather Kalenchuk (Sask.) Dawn Askin (Canada) Tricia Affleck (P.E.I.) Julie Rainville (Que.) Lianne Sobey (N.B.) Jill Thomas (N.S.) Raunora Westcott (Man.) Danielle Ellis (NWT/YT) Kari MacLean (Ont.) Colette Lemon (N.L.)
% age 89 89 89 85 84 81 78 76 76 75 61 56
Teams
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COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP
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www.neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca
Alberta (Sweeting) British Columbia (Scott) Canada (Jones) Ontario (McCarville) Manitoba (Thurston) Quebec (Belisle)
% age 88 86 82 77 75 74
P.E.I. (O’Rourke) New Brunswick (Kelly) Newfoundland/Labrador (Nicholls) Nova Scotia (McConnery) Territories (Cormier) Saskatchewan (Holland)
% age 73 73 72 69 67 64
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Page 15
Draw 1 Results
SCOTTIES SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
Draw Schedule Today
Standings Team P.E.I. Canada Ontario Quebec Alberta Nfld/Labrador Territories Saskatchewan B.C. Manitoba New Brunswick Nova Scotia
W 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2
Draw 3 (10:30 a.m.) Team Canada vs. New Brunswick P.E.I. vs. Alberta N.S. vs. Manitoba Territories vs. B.C. Draw 4 (3 p.m.) Manitoba vs. Nfld/Labrador Quebec vs. B.C. Canada vs. Saskatchewan Ontario vs. Alberta Draw 5 (7:30 p.m.) Ontario vs. Quebec New Brunswick vs. Nova Scotia P.E.I. vs. Territories Newfoundland/Labrador vs. Saskatchewan
Monday Draw 6 (10:30 a.m.) Saskatchewan vs. Ontario Quebec vs. Nfld/Labrador Draw 7 (3 p.m.) British Columbia vs. New Brunswick Canada vs. Territories Alberta vs. Nova Scotia Manitoba vs. P.E.I. Draw 8 (7:30 p.m.) Nfld/Labrador vs. Canada
Friends of the Scotties A Thymely Affair Arthur Funeral Home Avery Construction & Transportation Jet Ice Ltd McDougall Energy Rowswell & Associates Engineers Ltd S & T Group
Alberta vs. Quebec Saskatchewan vs. Manitoba B.C. vs. Ontario
Tuesday Draw 9 (10:30 a.m.) P.E.I. vs. Nova Scotia B.C. vs. Manitoba Territories vs. New Brunswick Alberta vs. Team Canada Draw 10 (3 p.m.) Alberta vs. Manitoba Ontario vs. Newfoundland/Labrador British Columbia vs. Team Canada Quebec vs. Saskatchewan Draw 11 (7:30 p.m.) Quebec vs. Territories New Brunswick vs. Saskatchewan Ontario vs. P.E.I. N.S. vs. Nfld/Labrador
Wednesday Draw 12 (10:30 a.m.) Saskatchewan vs. B.C. Quebec vs. Canada Newfoundland/Labrador vs. Alberta Ontario vs. Manitoba
Draw 13 (2 p.m.) New Brunswick vs. Newfoundland/Labrador Territories vs. Ontario Nova Scotia vs. Saskatchewan P.E.I. vs. Quebec Draw 14 (6:30 p.m.) Team Canada vs. P.E.I. Nova Scotia vs. B.C. Manitoba vs. Territories Alberta vs. New Brunswick
Thursday Draw 15 (10:30 a.m.) Nova Scotia vs. Ontario Nfld/Labrador vs. P.E.I. New Brunswick vs. Quebec Saskatchewan vs. Territories Draw 16 (3 p.m.) Territories vs. Alberta Manitoba vs. New Brunswick P.E.I. vs. B.C. Canada vs. Nova Scotia Draw 17 (7:30 p.m.) Manitoba vs. Quebec Saskatchewan vs. Alberta Canada vs. Ontario Newfoundland/Labrador vs. B.C.
P.E.I. Saskatchewan* %age P.E.I. Saskatchewan
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 Lead Second Third 79 78 65 89 65 56
8 9 10 T 1 3 x 10 0 0 x 3 Skip Team 75 74 46 64
Territories Nfld/Labrador* %age Territories Nfld/Labrador
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 4 0 1 4 1 Lead Second Third 66 59 57 56 86 68
8 9 10 T 0 x x 2 0 x x 12 Skip Team 57 60 75 72
New Brunswick Ontario* %age New Brunswick Ontario
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 Lead Second Third 86 77 77 61 88 81
8 9 10 T 0 0 x 2 4 0 x 9 Skip Team 70 77 80 77
Quebec Nova Scotia* %age Quebec Nova Scotia
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 T 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 2 8 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 6 Lead Second Third Skip Team 81 73 75 69 74 76 66 68 75 71
Draw 2 Results Nova Scotia* Territories %age Nova Scotia Territories
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 1 Lead Second Third 75 61 75 84 80 61
8 9 10 T x x x 2 x x x 8 Skip Team 50 65 73 75
Manitoba* Canada %age Manitoba Canada
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 3 0 2 0 Lead Second Third 76 75 85 85 86 81
8 9 10 T 0 0 x 5 1 3 x 10 Skip Team 63 75 75 82
B.C.* Alberta %age B.C. Alberta
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 Lead Second Third 89 89 91 89 86 84
8 9 10 T 3 0 1 5 0 1 0 6 Skip Team 76 86 95 88
New Brunswick* P.E.I. %age New Brunswick P.E.I.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 3 1 0 3 0 1 3 0 0 2 0 3 0 Lead Second Third 71 86 71 88 59 64
8 9 10 T 0 0 x 8 1 2 x 11 Skip Team 49 70 75 71
* —started game with the hammer
Page 16
HeartChart
ROAD TO THE SCOTTIES
Thurston’s ’Tobans finally taste victory
Larry Wood HeartChart Editor
T
he old adage to try, try, try again rings true for Jill Thurston’s Manitoba champions from Winnipeg’s Deer Lodge Curling Club. Thurston along with third Kristen Phillips, second Leslie Wilson and lead Raunora Westcott defeated former Manitoba champion Janet Harvey of Winnipeg Assiniboine Memorial 7-6 in an extra-end provincial final at Killarney to help erase some of the past disappointments. Thurston’s new teammates have lost more than their fair share of provincial finals. Phillips lost the final in 2008. Wilson lost two finals with Kristy Jenion.
And Westcott has lost four different provincials in her curling career. Third player with Harvey at the 2006 Scotties, Thurston also qualified as viceskip for the 2000 Scotties with Connie Laliberte, but decided to step back to the teehead this time around. The last time a new team won the Manitoba title, it went on to win the Canadian crown. But, in 2005, when she won with a new crew, Jennifer Jones hadn’t just returned from a two-year sabbatical like Thurston did this month. “It feels amazing,” said an emotional Thurston as she fought back tears. “And it feels even more amazing to win with these three guys. They’ve lost the finals a whole bunch of times and it’s so gratifying
to win with them.” It’s unusual for a new team to win a championship in its first year together with a skip who hasn’t played for two years or skipped her own squad since 1996.
MANITOBA “It’s not supposed to happen but I think (the time off) probably made me a better curler,” said the 38-year-old Thurston. “I got to watch a lot of curling and learned a lot. I got to relax and take a vacation and I think it really did me a lot of good. I got
my passion for the game back.” Thurston scored the winning point in the final when Harvey’s attempted draw to the button in the extra end was two inches heavy. The champs trailed 4-1 after four ends butt stole two in the sixth to tie the game 4-4, then stole singles in the seventh and ninth ends for a 6-4 lead. Harvey cracked a deuce in the 10th to force the extra end where Thurston didn’t required the hammer. “We dig deep; we battle back and we have a ton of confidence and belief in each other,” said Thurston, who stole the winning point in an extra end to eliminate East St. Paul’s Kim Link 10-9 in the semi-final. Link and Joelle Brown of Winnipeg topped one
pool in the 16-team spit round-robin championship while Harvey and Thurston tied for the other lead. All recorded 6-1 records. In the Page One-One play-
Jill Thurston: Skipping for first time since 1996.
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off, Harvey dumped Link 9-5 to advance to the final while Thurston was dealing out Brown 11-5 in the Page Two-Two. Thurston then erased Link in the semi. Thurston finished with a 9-1 record while Harvey was 7-2, Link was 6-3 and Brown 6-2. At 5-2 were defending champion Barb Spencer of Winnipeg along with Chelsea Carey of Morden and Lisa Blixhavn of Brandon. Kaleigh Strath of Winkler and Karen Fallis of Winnipeg checked in a 4-3. Grouped at 2-5 were Shauna Streich of Winnipeg and Kari Goethe of Swan River. At 1-6 were Tanis Fortin of The Pas, Liza Park of Brandon, Terry Ursel of Plumas, Karen Rosser of Springfield and Linda Stewart of Winnipeg.