Nine teams of curlers competing in the Viterra Scotties Women’s Curling Provincials were officially welcomed into Melfort and the Northern Lights Palace.
The teams were led onto the ice by a bagpiper, a RCMP officer and a procession of Air Cadets at the official opening ceremonies Jan. 2.
“We put this event together for all of you, the curlers, and look forward to six days of outstanding competition on the ice, leading to a well-deserved champion to represent Saskatchewan in Penticton,” said Corrie Fischl, chair of the event’s organization committee.
Penticton will be the site of the 2018 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, where the best teams of each province will compete for the national title.
“Congratulations to the competitors who qualified for these provincial championships. It takes sacrifices and hours of hard work to gain the ability and experience to get this far,” said Mitch Minken, CurlSask’s president.
Rick Lang, Melfort’s mayor, said he hopes all of the curlers will curl to their potential during the six days of the provincials and that he’s anticipating watching their precision and skills with respect to the sport.
“I have come to realize, from what I watch, that curling is the ultimate team sport. There’s not an end that goes by that you don’t rely on each and every one of your teammates,” he said. “I don’t think there’s many other sports like that.”
In the first two draws Jan. 2, Teams Eberle and Lawton won the two games they played, Silvernagle, Howard, S. Anderson and Barker won one and lost one, Martin lost two games, and Holland and Chisholm lost the single game they played.
