Cornwall’s Lauren Lenentine to play in largest event on GSOC tour

By Bill McGuire
Public Relations Chair
Cornwall Curling Club

The best curlers in the world, including Cornwall’s own Lauren Lenentine, are Prince Edward Island-bound as the Grand Slam of Curling is poised to take over Charlottetown this October.

Cornwall’s Lauren Lenentine speaks during a press conference Thursday (Feb. 29) at Charlottetown City Hall where it was announced that UPEI will play host to the Hearing Life Tour Challenge, the Grand Slam of Curling’s biggest event of the 2024-25 season, from Oct. 1-6, 2024.

The two adjoining ice surfaces at the Bell Aliant Centre on the campus of the University of Prince Edward Island will play host to the Hearing Life Tour Challenge, the Grand Slam of Curling’s biggest event of the 2024-25 season, from Oct. 1-6, 2024.

The 2024 Hearing Life Tour Challenge will feature the top 32 men’s and 32 women’s teams in the world, competing in a two-tier event at Bell Aliant Centre. The field will include Olympic medallists, world champions, and Canadian favourites. This is the first time a Grand Slam of Curling event has been held in Charlottetown, with Summerside having played host to two previous Slam events, the latest in 2014.

It is anticipated that the Cornwall Curling Club, and adjacent clubs like Montague and Crapaud, will assist the huge GSOC event which will attract over 250 top curlers from around the world, by providing their clubs for practice sessions and games.

The announcement was made today (Thursday, Feb. 29) at Charlottetown City Hall by Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown. Other guests in attendance included Cory Deagle, Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture; legendary curler and Olympic gold medallist Jennifer Jones; and Lenentine.

Canadian curling legend Jennifer Jones, left, answers a question during a press conference in Charlottetown Thursday. Feb. 29 where it was announced that UPEI will play host to the Hearing Life Tour Challenge, the Grand Slam of Curling’s biggest event of the 2024-25 season, from Oct. 1-6, 2024. Also in photo are event master of ceremonies Robbie Doherty, a member of the Cornwall Curling Club, and Jones’ teammate Lauren Lenentine of Cornwall.

Jones and Lenentine are fresh from a silver medal finish last Sunday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian women’s curling championships in Calgary.

“Welcoming all of these world-class curlers is an incredible opportunity for us to demonstrate just how well-suited we are to hosting major sporting events,” said Mayor Brown. “We’re excited to welcome athletes and their teams, as well as visitors, to beautiful Charlottetown and we plan to sweep them away with a rocking good time! Attracting events such as the Hearing Life Tour Challenge, the biggest event in the Grand Slam of Curling series, reflects our commitment to strategic economic growth through sport tourism.”

“This is a very exciting announcement for PEI and builds on our reputation as a top destination for high calibre sporting events,” said Minister Deagle. “We are proud to see Charlottetown picked as the host city for the Grand Slam of Curling’s Hearing Life Tour Challenge. Sport tourism is an exciting way to grow PEI as a four-season tourism destination.  And for curling fans, it is thrilling to be able to watch the top curling teams in the world compete.”

More details, including 150 volunteer opportunities, qualified teams, and schedules will be announced later date.

Early bird full tournament passes are now on sale at www.thegrandslamofcurling.com/tickets. On sale dates for weekend passes and single draw tickets will be announced in the coming months.

Owned and operated by Sportsnet since 2012, the Grand Slam of Curling is an elite series of men’s and women’s curling events, featuring the best teams from across Canada and around the world. Awarding equal purses to both men’s and women’s teams since 2015, Grand Slam of Curling presents $2.1 million in total prize money each season.

More information about the upcoming Grand Slam season and the Hearing Life Tour Challenge please visit: www.thegrandslamofcurling.com