Kamloops set for curling Crown
The Kamloops 2011 Crown of Curling is set to get underway this weekend at the Kamloops Curling Club (KCC).
“This event is the longest-running curling event, we think, in Canada,” said bonspiel chairman Len Bosch.
“This is a longtime event and we want it to get better and continue.”
In its 38th year, the Crown of Curling is scheduled to run from Friday, Oct. 21, to Monday, Oct. 24, at the KCC.
The 2011 Crown will feature 44 teams — 20 men’s and 24 women’s.
The event is part of the World Curling Tour, which means prize money earned goes toward the overall points for the trials for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
On top of that, Bosch said, it’s a bonspiel curlers enjoy.
“It’s really an event that a lot of curlers want to come here and curl,” he said, explaining the “social aspect” is almost as important as the on-ice competition.
“They really, really like it.”
That is evident by the teams signed up for the 2011 Crown — including international rinks from Russia, South Korea, the U.S., Japan, Switzerland and China.
“This is really starting to get some international flavour,” Bosch said.
“They come here because this is the start of their competitive curling season.”
There are also expected to be a number of local curlers taking part — including Brian Windsor, who is a director with the Kamloops Curling Club.
He said the Crown is the club’s biggest event of the year.
“It’s huge traffic for the club because you’ve got 44 clubs and supporters,” he said, adding the bar and kitchen will likely do well during the event.
“That’s a lot of people for a club this size.”
Windsor said curlers love the Crown.
“It has a great reputation,” he said. “The curlers like that it’s both men’s and ladies.
“There’s lots of serious competition and they’re trying to gain points for the Olympics, but there’s lots of fun, too.”
Anyone looking for more information can call the Kamloops Curling Club at 250-372-5432.
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