The event provided a competitive opportunity for Manitoba stick curlers (objective #1). An entry of 21 teams playing a 6-game round robin in pools of seven teams featured most of the top bonspielling teams in the Manitoba 2-person stick curling world along with the special treat of having the Canadian finalist Darren & Darrel Beach team from Regina attend the event.
The event featured competitive level 2-person stick curling in a new showcase venue and encouraged new bonspiel participation (objective #2), including expanding the number of teams participating in Manitoba bonspiels. Curl Morris, a fully accessible 6-sheet facility 25 minutes south of Winnipeg, has a social 2-person stick league and bonspiels but on this occasion four teams took part representing the local club and there were several new bonspiel teams. In all, teams from three WInnipeg clubs and eight rural Manitoba clubs took part, along with the Regina team.
The event demonstrated the full extent of 2-person curling’s richly deserved reputation as a sport which is among the most inclusive in the sports world (objective #3). The presence of a wheelchair team (Canadian para-world competitor Jamie Anseeuw & Mark Wherrett) among 11 two-man, two two-women, and eight mixed teams of a wide range of ages accomplished that objective.
The event elevated the prize payout available in a Manitoba 2-person stick bonspiel (objective #4). Champions Warren Johnson & Dan McDonald, of Winnipeg’s St. Vital club, took home a prize package that included a $400 cheque and a paid entry in the Manitoba Open Championship in Morris in February.
Where the event fell short of objective was its desire to include an international element. The committee will continue to work at including competitors from the United States in future events.
On the ice, two teams which are relative newcomers to 2-person stick bonspielling reached the event semi-finals. Greg & Mike Harding (Springfield), after losing the semi-final to Johnson & McDonald, won the third place game over Chris & Lorne Hamblin (Morris). The Hamblins had lost their semifinal to Ken & Shirley Strand.
Quarter-finalists were Tom & Rae Campbell (Killarney), Norm Magnusson & Resby Coutts (Fort Rouge) Herb Sulkers & Harold Peterson (East St. Paul) and Cam & Lynn McMillan (Fort Rouge).
Warren Johnson & Dan McDonald (r) beat Ken & Shirley Strand in the final.
Greg & Mike Harding (r) beat Lorne & Chris Hamblin in the semi-final
Special guest teams were the Beach brothers from Regina and the Wheeelchair athletes Canadian member Jamie Anseeuw partnered with Mark Wherrett.