Now that we’re into April, another season of curling is quickly coming to an end.
Fans last weekend were likely watching on television the conclusion of the world women’s curling championships held in Lethbridge. There, Canada was represented by Scotties champion skip Heather Nedohin and her Alberta squad, who came away with a bronze medal. The gold medal went to the Swiss team led by veteran skip Mirjam Ott, who made a finesse shot to edge Sweden 7-6 in an entertaining and well-played final.
This weekend, the men’s world championships wrap up in Switzerland. Brier champion skip Glenn Howard and his Ontario team carry the Canadian colours and are of course expected to do well.
Locally, the annual Spring Fling Mixed held last weekend marked the final bonspiel of the year at the Nanaimo Curling Centre. Patty Pedersen and her committee organized the 32-team event. Finals were held Sunday and my thanks to NCC manager Denise Wood for passing along results…
The championship game in A event, sponsored by Johnston Franklin Lawyers, featured undefeated Nanaimo teams skipped by Mark Knutson and Jim Newlands. Knutson jumped out to a quick start, scoring two points in the first end and then stealing three more in the second for a 5-0 lead en route to a 6-2 victory. Backing Knutson on the winning team were third Teri Palynchuk, second Brian Mahovlich and lead Tina Vanderveen from Chilliwack. Others on the runner-up Newlands squad were third Debbie Pulak, Tracey Newlands and Joe Pulak.
Third in A were Nanaimo’s George Duffell and his teammates Sally Noonan, Jake McGlenen and Jill McGlenen.
Winners of the Christensen Collision B event were the local foursome of Ian Cook, Joanne Phillips, Herb Veasey and Susan Barber. The Cook team broke open their final with four points in the third end to win 7-1 over Nanaimo’s Barry Hore and his team of Donna Gannon, Kevin Kabatoff and Ann Marie Hore.
Sponsor for the C event was Neal’s Nanaimo Chrysler. It was Nanaimo versus Duncan in the final, as the local rink skipped by Keith Clarke took on a visiting entry led by Keith Ainsley. Clarke jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in posting a 7-2 win, backed by teammates Toni Lepore, Ken Albrecht and Cheryl Toole. Third place in the event was also taken by a Nanaimo team, the foursome of Rudy Brullotte, Margie Blackley, Ron Bennett and Dianne Bennett.
The Spring Fling’s D event was sponsored by MacDonald Environmental Services and was designated as a novice event. To encourage participation from newer curlers, teams consisting of a pair of experienced local curlers together with a pair of beginners. In the final, skip Mike Kenefick and his team of Elaine Cloutier, Troy Patterson and Nancy Bundell emerged as winners, taking a 9-1 decision from Bob Hungar and his teammates Karen Hungar, Randy Shaw and Karen Shaw.
Finishing in third place in the novice event was the foursome of Brenda Ridgway, Howard Jeglum, Ross Barnard and Tamie Barnard.
The Spring Fling Bonspiel marked the end to local curling for another season, with the ice now being removed. In a future column, I’ll recap year-end award winners.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
Ian Thorpe writes about sports Saturdays.
