The 100 Mile House Blind Curling Team will be going to the Western Blind Curling Association Championship in Kamloops (March 20-23) after coming in third in the 2019 West Coast Blind Curling Association Provincial Playdowns. It was hosted by the 100 Mile House Curling Club on Jan. 11 to 13.
“The overall event appears to be a smashing success for the host team. Participants were impressed with the 100 Mile hospitality and could feel the community support,” said Lory Fry, a member of the 100 Mile team and an organizer of the event.
Maria Hamilton, the on-ice Chief Umpire and the treasurer of the host club, called the event amazing.
“When on the ice, sighted curlers are very careful about rocks in play, tripping hazards and each other. What amazed me most was the ability of these curlers to navigate the game while legally or completely blind and in addition to that, be able to curl really well,” she said.
Four teams took part in the event; 100 Mile, Kelowna, Prince George and Vancouver.
Each end won was worth two points, while the eventual winners of the game were given 10 additional points. A draw was worth five points.
100 Mile House lost their first draw against Kelowna but ended up beating the Vancouver team heavily in their second draw. They also ended up losing their draw against Prince George.
“In Draw 3, 100 Mile started out three points behind Prince George then tied it up in the fourth end. This tied scored slipped away from 100 Mile House during the second half of the game,” said Fry.
Despite having the same record (1-2), Prince George ended up taking second play due to beating 100 Mile in the final draw.
“The 100 Mile blind curlers retain their position; no better or worse than in 2018 where they also tied for second and ended up in third as well. With only three players left on the 100 Mile team and using borrowed players for competition for the past three seasons, the team is pleased with the results under the circumstances,” said Fry.
The winners of the bonspiel, Kelowna, will play in the National Canadian Visually Impaired Curling Competition in 2020.
The event started with an opening ceremony on Friday (Jan. 11) with appearances by local MLA Donna Barnett (who delivered the ceremonial rock), Cariboo Regional District chair Margo Wagner, 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall, and presidents of the 100 Mile House Curling Club and the West Coast Blind Curling Association Gord Smith and Fraser Hiltz respectively.
The Senior Northern BC Seniors Women’s Playdowns was also hosted at the club during the same weekend. Team Menzer represented 100 Mile House and lost two games straight.
