Submitted to the Castlegar News
A Castlegar rink is representing the region at the Tim Hortons BC Senior Curling Championships this week. The team is made up of Myron Nichol, Bill Van Yzerloo, Garry Beaudry and Barry Marsh.
Taking place in Port Alberni, the province’s best senior curlers began showcasing their skills Tuesday.
As of Wednesday, several draws had been completed with Team Nichol losing to Team Craig from Victoria, 6-4.
The following game, Nichol lost again to Team Thulin from Campbell River.
The next draw began at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday and at the News’ deadline, Team Nichol trailed Team Mellof of Kelowna 5-1.
Castlegar’s curlers are set to play five more times following their match with Mellof.
Eight men’s and eight women’s teams from across BC qualified through regional playdowns to compete for the BC senior curling crown. The winners will go on to represent the province at the Canadian Championships in Edmonton in March.
The field for the event is extremely strong this year and includes 1988 Olympic Champion Debbie Jones-Walker and 2006 Olympic bronze medallist Sandra Jenkins in the women’s event, while the men’s draw will feature former men’s world champion Gerry Richard. There are also past Canadian champions and several curlers who have competed at the Scotties and the Brier taking part, so the standard of curling promises to be high.
“We are honoured to be hosting the 2015 Tim Hortons BC Senior Championships here at the Alberni Valley Curling Club,” said event host committee co-chair Michelle Twanow. “There is a strong field this year.”
The event, which is a round robin followed by playoffs, runs from until Saturday afternoon, when the finals take place. To follow the results online, visit playdowns.com and click on the Curl BC tab.
The winners of the men’s and women’s events will go on to represent BC at the Canadian Championships which take place at Thistle Curling Club in Edmonton from March 21 to 28.