The top curlers in the world begin their quest for the title and cash at the World Curling Tour in Dawson Creek, B.C. this week. The round robin format will have 18 teams participate for the $100,000 purse.
Local curlers Pat Simmons and Joel Jordison will be competing in the tournament with their respective teams. Simmons will be third for Kevin Koe’s rink from Edmonton with Carter Rycroft (second) and Nolan Thiessen (lead). Jordison will play third on Steve Laycock’s rink from Saskatoon with Brennan Jones (second) and Dallan Muyres (lead).
Simmons and Koe’s rink are in Pool A and will face off against top-earner Mark McEwen from Winnipeg, Man., Jim Cotter from Vernon, B.C, Brent Pierce from New Westminister, B.C., Thomas Ulsrud from Norway and Brock Virtue from Calgary, Alta.
Jordison and Laycock’s rink are in Pool C and will compete against last year’s winner Jeff Stoughton from Winnipeg, Man., three-time winner Glenn Howard from Coldwater, ON, Olympian Brad Gushue from St. John’s, Nfld, Steve Petryk from Calgary, Alta, and Rob Rumfeldt from Guelph, ON
Action got underway on Wednesday evening with Koe’s rink taking on Cotter’s rink on Wednesday evening and Laycox’s rink will begin on Thursday morning against Rumfeldt’s rink.
Each rink gets a guarantee of five games before the playoffs begins on Saturday afternoon with the top eight qualifying.
