Berths into the 2019 B.C. Curling Championships will be up for grabs when the Tunnel Town Curling Club hosts qualifying playdowns this weekend.
The event gets underway on Friday and feature many of the top men’s and women’s teams in the province.
The Women’s Open Playdowns features nine rinks battling for two provincial berths. The entires include Delta Thistle standout Sarah Daniels skipping her rink that will also be competing at the upcoming B.C. Junior Championships in Vernon.
Daniels led her team to the provincial junior title in 2016 and also played second for Kaila Van Osch’s winning rink in 2014. On both occasions she went on to finish second at nationals.
Other entries include Kayte Gyles’ Royal City Club rink that features one-time Tunnel Town junior standout Shawna Jensen.
Rounding out the field of teams are: Nicole Backe (Vancouver Island), Sheila Cowan (Royal City), Lindsay Hudyma (Vancouver), Taylor Reese-Hansen (Victoria), Brette Richards (Kelowna/Victoria/Prince George) Karla Thompson (Kamloops) and Alyssa Kylio (Vernon).
Action gets underway at 9 a.m. on Friday. The “A” qualifier goes at 6 p.m. on Saturday while the “B” qualifier is slated for noon on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the men’s side of the draw is exclusively for Lower Mainland teams with three provincial spots on the line.
Among the 11 entries is Tunnel Town product Cody Tanaka who now represents the Richmond Curling Club.
The SDSS graduate is fresh off earning MVP honours in leading his RCC team to top honours at the 2018 Travelers Club Championships in Brunswick. He also teamed up with Jensen to represent B.C. at the Canadian Mixed Championships in Winnipeg where they narrowly missed out on a playoff berth. They had earned provincial honours last spring.
Other men’s entries include: Shane Bourdage (Richmond), Rob Dennis (Richmond/Salmon Arm), Dayne Gagnon (Abbotsford), Dean Joanisse (Golden Ears), Ken McArdle (Royal City), Tyler Lymchuk (Royal City), Branden Reimer (Peace Arch), Brad Rebman (Cloverdale), Stephen Schneider (Richmond) and Daniel Wenzek (Langley).
Action also gets underway on Friday at 9 a.m. The “A” event final goes at noon Saturday. The “B” at 8 a.m. Sunday and the “C” at 4 p.m. Sunday.
The B.C. Men’s and Women’s Championships take place Jan. 29 to Feb. 3 in Quesnel.
