It’s largely a new rink, but the goal remains the same for Kelly Scott.
Next month, the Kelowna skip will be looking for yet another trip to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts national women’s curling championship.
Scott, a six-time B.C. champ, will be joined by new third Shannon Aleksic, new second Karla Thomson, and returning lead Sarah Pyke (Wazney) at the B.C. women’s curling championship Jan. 21 to 25 at the Golden Ears Winter Club in Maple Ridge.
Thanks to finishing first in the province in the CTRS (Canadian Team Ranking System), Scott earned an automatic berth into provincials.
With her newly-configured team, Scott had a relatively quiet yet successful season on the World Curling Tour circuit. The Kelowna rink played in four WCT events, qualifying in three while reaching the final both in Kamloops and Maple Ridge.
Eight rinks will compete at the B.C. finals.
Men’s championship…
There will be plenty of Okanagan content at the B.C. men’s curling championship in Vernon, Feb. 3 to 8.
The Kelowna rink, skipped by New Westminster’s Brent Pierce, qualified as the top team in the CTRS standings. Third Jeff Richard, second Tyler Orme and lead Dave Harper round out the lineup.
Kelowna’s Kevin MacKenzie is throwing last rocks for the Grant Dezura rink, which also includes Jamie Smith and Kevin Reckseidler.
Defending champion Jim Cotter and his Vernon/Kelowna rink will be among the favourites in the 16-rink field. He’s joined by Ryan Kuhn, Tyrel Griffith and Rick Sawatsky.
