The 2021 provincial curling championships which were set to be played in Kamloops at McArthur Island from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 have been cancelled after the province extended its COVID-19 restrictions on travel and adult sports to Feb. 5.
It means the Kamloops rink of Corryn Brown – with Erin Pincott, Dezaray Hawes, and Samantha Fisher – will represent the province at the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in a bubbled event in Calgary.
On the men’s side, the Steve Laycock rink from Vernon and Kelowna with Kamloops native Jim Cotter (who throws skip stones) as well as Andrew Nerpin and Rick Sawatsky will again take part at the Tim Hortons Brier, also being held in Calgary.
Both teams would have been in Kamloops to defend their title after winning the 2020 BC curling championships. The Brown rink finished sixth at the 2020 Scotties, while the Laycock rink was tied for eleventh at the 2020 Brier.
“The safety of our athletes and volunteers is a top priority. We were hopeful that all the efforts to bend the curve would lead to fewer cases of COVID-19 in the province and more opportunities for people to compete,” said Curl BC CEO Scott Braley. “However, the numbers are still much higher than anyone wants – and it will be difficult for clubs to stay open – so the best course of action is to cancel.”
“We wish Team Brown and Team Laycock the best of luck at nationals. We know these teams will represent B.C. well.”
Braley says they want to thank the Kamloops committee chairs Linda Bolton and Brenda Nordin as well as the City of Kamloops for the work that went into preparing to host the event in the Tournament Capital later this month.
The BC Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, scheduled for Feb. 10 to 14 in Chilliwack, has also been cancelled.
The winners of the 2020 BC Mixed Doubles Curling Championship – Steph Jackson-Baier and Corey Chester – will represent the province at nationals, which is also taking place in Calgary.
“We wish Team Jackson-Baier/Chester the best of luck as well,” added Braley.
Braley will be on the NL Noon Report with guest host Jon Keen tomorrow afternoon to talk about the decision to cancel the provincial championships.
As speculated this afternoon. They were just waiting to hear about today’s restriction extension. Playdowns cancelled. #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/xINmmB34r4
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) January 8, 2021
Obviously it’s a double-edged sword. @TeamBrownBC & @TeamJimCotter are headed back to the Scotties/Brier, but a blow locally with the event canceled for #Kamloops at the end of the month.
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) January 8, 2021
