Curlers across the country are giving a thumbs-up to Curling Canada’s plan to try and play four of its major events inside a bubble in Calgary in 2021.
The plan is for the Brier, the Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship and the World Men’s to be played at Canada Olympic Park.
It is an idea that Matt Dunstone fully endorses. Dunstone, who is the skip of the 2020 provincial men`s curling championship, says it hasn`t been the winter he and others have liked when it comes to the sport, but this provides a spark.
It’s awesome.” Dunstone said Wednesday afternoon. “It feels like there is some light at the end of the tunnel. We have managed to get a couple of events in so it’s nice there is something in place here to get back on the big stage. The question now is how do we get into that bubble because that’s not guaranteed right now.”
One of the questions is whether a provincial championship will be held for both the men and women. Just a couple of hours after Dunstone spoke about the bubble, CURLSASK announced that both the SaskTel Tankard and Viterra Scotties which were to go in Estevan starting in late January, were being cancelled because of COVID-19.
TO FUTHER CLARIFY: CURLSASK has four scenarios to declare Saskatchewan’s Representatives for the Tim Hortons Brier and Scotties Tournament of Hearts, these are focused on preserving elements of open entry and competition.
(1/2) https://t.co/57PxQb8A13
— CURLSASK (@CURLSASK) December 3, 2020
While Dunstone did not know about the cancellation when speaking about what was going on, he says if a delay is needed to crown a champion then so be it.”From my knowledge, the plan is still to have one rink from every province and territory being involved at the event. The plan is to run the Brier and Scotties as usual.” Dunstone said. “If there is a delay that is needed to pull it off then do whatever it takes. There’s nothing quite like a provincial final and I think I speak for every curler in the province than to say we want to play in a provincial.”