Are there enough curling fans in Greater Victoria and the Island to support two major curling events within a span of 19 days? We will find out in March and early April as Victoria Curling Classic chairman Al Sutherland announced there will be an eighth edition of the event.
Sutherland's event, which will feature 24 of the top men's teams from around the world, will run from March 20 to 24 at Archie Browning Sports Centre. Six days later, the 2013 Ford World Men's Curling Championship will start at Saveon-Foods Memorial Centre and end on April 7.
"I'm hoping that there are enough fans for both events,'' said Sutherland. "We have had some great support over the years and with our lineup, they should come back again."
Sutherland has already confirmed that teams from Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and Japan will play in the Classic and more could be on the way. Those teams will be using the Classic as a final tuneup before moving over to the Memorial Centre and the world showdown.
The Canadian teams booking tickets for the Classic are defending champion Kevin Martin from Edmonton, reigning Tim Hortons Brier and world champion Glenn Howard of Ontario, Manitoba's Jeff Stoughton and Mike McEwen, Kevin Koe from Alberta and Newfoundland's Brad Gushue.
Early bird ticket sales ($99 for the full event pass) will be held on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Victoria Curling Centre (1952 Quadra Street). They can also be purchased by phone (250-386-6396) at that time.
Regular ticket sales start Oct. 15, also at the Curling Centre. After Dec. 31, the full event pass will be $110.
"It took awhile to make this decision because we had to find the right dates,'' said Sutherland. "So far, I've been able to bring back most of my sponsors as they have been very loyal. In the next few months, I will keep looking for more.
"In recent years, the women curlers have been very popular but we will not have them this year because of an over abundance of top teams from Canada and the world. In the future, the women will be back at the Classic.''
The total prize money is $76,000 with the winner receiving a cheque for $25,000.
"We want to make sure that we can get into Archie Browning a little earlier this year,'' said Sutherland. "We want the ice at world championship standards and that will take four days of prep time.''
The teams will play a triple-knockout format with eight of the squads qualifying for the playoffs. [email protected]
