Cornwall Curling Club

Two Cornwall Curling Club members are competing in Prince Edward Island’s first-ever Mixed Doubles Curling Trials this weekend (Dec. 12-14) at the Crapaud Community Curling Club. Events were scheduled the past two seasons, but no entries were received for this relatively-new, two-person variant of the sport. This time there are four teams entered, including two from the Under 21 (Junior) ranks (unlike other events, there are no age restrictions on Mixed Doubles). The winning team from this event will advance to the national Mixed Doubles Trials at the  Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, March 11 to 15, 2015.  The national winner advances to the World Mixed Doubles in Sochi Russia, April 18-25, 2015.  Rebecca Jean MacDonald and Robert Campbell, not in this year’s event, competed at the World Mixed Doubles in 2011, gaining that berth by virtue of their team winning the Canadian Mixed title.

Mixed Doubles is a relatively new format, but may soon be an Olympic medal sport, as efforts are ongoing by the World Curling Federation to have the discipline included, as early as the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Team Rosters

Both junior teams in the provincial competition have previous Mixed Doubles experience at the national level, as the sport was included as a “mini tournament” at the 2013 and 2014 M&M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Curling Championships. Tyler Smith competed in 2013, with Kyle Holland playing in 2014. Cornwall’s Katie Fullerton and Chloé McCloskey, members of the two-time provincial junior women’s champion Veronica Smith rink, competed in it both years, with McCloskey, teamed up with Evan Kearley from Newfoundland and Labrador, along with her regular coach, Bill Hope, winning the silver medal in 2014, losing the gold medal game by a single point.

2014 Canadian Juniors Mixed doubles tournament silver-medalists, from left, Evan Kearley, Chloé McCloskey and coach Bill Hope. (Photo, CCA/Michael Burns Photography/Mark O’Neill)

The four teams in the provincials will play a modified triple knockout format, advancing teams to a two game championship round, unless one team wins all three triple knockout sections, in which case the champion will be declared without playing the two final games. Opening draw is Friday at 4:30 pm, with a second draw at 7:30. Saturday and Sunday games are scheduled for 10 am and 1 and 4 pm.

Opening draw:

Friday, December 12 at 4:30 pm:

Ice 1: Tyler Smith/Chloé McCloskey (Crapaud/Cornwall) vs Daniel MacFadyen/Nancy MacFadyen (Crapaud)
Ice 2: Dario Zannier/Vivian Holm (Crapaud) vs Kyle Holland/Katie Fullerton (Charlottetown and Cornwall)

There are three possible outcomes from the Modified Triple Knockout Round:

1. One team wins all three qualifiers: Championship Round is not required.
2. One team wins two qualifiers. They play in X and Z (and win the event if they win either game), the other winner plays in Y (and has to win both games).
3. Three separate winners: the team that played in the most qualifying games (3, 6, 9) plays in Z and the other winners play off in X and Y. If there is a tie in number of qualifying games played, then the team that qualified earliest goes to Z and the other two teams play off in X and Y.

Event Website: peicurling.com/mixeddoubles

Live results are available at: curlatlantic.com/scoreboard/competitions/1338-mixed-doubles-curling-trials-pei/scoreboard/

Basic rules of Mixed Doubles (visit peicurling.com/mixeddoubles for complete rules):

– Teams are made up of two players; one male, one female. No alternates are permitted.

– Six rocks are used per team per end (one is placed at one of two designated positions on the ice at the beginning of each end, five are thrown)

– One player throws first and last stone per end, the other player throws the three in between. The player delivering the first stone can change from end to end. Games are eight ends.

Curling is a sport that prides itself on proper etiquette, and ethics and, as a game with few officials, knowledge and adherence to the rules of the game. We have put together a list of some of the standard etiquette, important rules, and the code of ethics for the sport.

Code of Ethics

Curling has its rules governing play, but equally as important is the way you conduct yourself while curling. This is outlined in the Curlers’ Code of Ethics that is part of the rulebook:

• I will play the game with a spirit of good sportsmanship.
• I will conduct myself in an honourable manner both on and off the ice.
• I will never knowingly break a rule, but if I do, I will divulge the breach.
• I will take no action that could be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate or demean my opponents, teammates or officials.
• I will interpret the rules in an impartial manner, always keeping in mind that the purpose of the rules is to ensure that the game is played in an orderly and fair manner.
• I will humbly accept any penalty that the governing body at any level of curling deems appropriate, if I am found in violation of the Code of Ethics or rules of the game.

Etiquette

Here are some of the key items of proper curling etiquette:

• Curlers are expected to be on time for their game, and to ensure that they find a spare in the event that they cannot be there. Arrive at least 15 minutes before game time. If you can’t find a spare, let the skip know  (in plenty of time) – perhaps he/she can help out. If something comes up at the last minute and you can’t be there, phone the Club or your skip – sometimes they can pick up someone at the last minute who happens to be there. Also let them know if you are stuck in traffic and will be a few minutes late, so they will know not to look for someone else.
• Start the game on time, even if it means beginning with three players
• If a team cannot be there, and has to default, they are required to call the other team and the Club to let them know. Multiple defaults may result in a team not being allowed to continue in the league.
• Shake hands with your opponents before and after each game.Wish them “good curling” at the start of the game.
• Opposing players (generally the thirds) will toss a coin at the start of the game to determine last stone advantage.
• When your opponents are preparing for delivery, stand to the side of the sheet, single file and between the hog lines. Move only after the stone has been released.
• If you are standing on the sidelines, and you see that the other team is throwing their next rock on your side, close to the edge of the sheet, give them some room by moving to the sidelines on the other side (but before the skip delivers the rock!)
• If you are throwing next you may stand on the backboard, but remain quiet and out of sight of the opposition thrower
• One sweeper behind the tee line.  Arrange with your team mate who will continue to sweep once the rock is behind the tee line. The team delivering the rock has 1st privilege of sweeping its own rock, but must not obstruct or prevent their opponent from sweeping.
• Only skips and thirds may congregate behind the tee line. They do not move or hold their brooms on the ice while the opposition is preparing to deliver a stone.If your team leads off on any particular end, the lead should gather his or her rock and get in the hack, clean the stone, and begin the pre-shot routine. The second and third should put the rocks away in a single line along the edge of the sheet. It is not necessary to put the rocks in order and doing so wastes time.
• Never cross in front of a player who is in the hack and about to deliver a stone.
• When you have finished sweeping your team’s rock and  are walking back down the sheet, keep to the edge, and walk in single-file. Remember that the other team will be throwing their rock and the sight lines down the sheet should be clear. You should avoid stepping onto or walking up and down the sheet of ice next to the one you are playing on if it is in use.
• Curling etiquette dictates that you cheer on successes, and use discretion when someone misses a shot, either on your own team or on the opposing one. Compliment players on both teams for a good shot. Do not show your frustration at an opponent’s “lucky” shot or a teammate’s poor shot. No swearing, trash-talking, or broom-slamming!
• Be ready to go when it’s your turn to deliver a stone. A few lost seconds each time will add up!
• At the conclusion of an end, all players remain outside the rings until the opposing thirds have agreed on the score.
• It is the third’s responsibility to put up the score for their own team immediately on completion of an end, and to update the results on the draw board at the completion of the match. If there is a big score in an end, it is courtesy to delay the posting of the score until the opposing team wins an end.
• A buzzer system is used at the Cornwall Curling Club and most other curling facilities. Two hours are allotted for an eight end game, and a buzzer will sound when there are approximately 15 minutes left. At that point, you are required to finish the end you are on, bring your rocks back to the near end, and end the game.
• At the Cornwall Curling Club, the losing team sweeps the ice after a game (it’s not usually necessary to sweep it after the late draw, as the ice will be worked on in the morning). This includes putting the hack covers on (green carpet) so that the maintenance crew can pebble the ice more easily. They are also required to sweep the ice after a practice session. If you are at another club or in a tournament, there may be people assigned to sweep the ice, so check out what happens in earlier games
• You may see curlers “setting up” rocks for the other team after they have thrown theirs. This was something that was done as a courtesy years ago, but it no longer encouraged. Rather than speeding up the game, it often slows it down, as they may pick the wrong rock. As well, it can be dangerous, if the curler is not expecting the rock to be there, and accidentally trips on it.
• If you do want to help speed up the game, a front end team member setting up a rock in front of the hack for their OWN teammates is a great idea. It will cut a few seconds off delivery time, as the player delivering doesn’t have to get the rock.
• If your team leads off on any particular end, the lead should gather his or her rock and get in the hack, clean the stone, and begin the pre-shot routine. The second and third should put the rocks away along the edge of the sheet. It is not necessary to put the rocks in order and doing so wastes time.
• Ensure curling equipment is clean to prevent debris from falling on the ice surface. Change your slip-on grippers annually, as they start to deteriorate and can shed debris. Don’t wear jewelry that is likely to fall off and impede the rock. Do not wear your curling shoes anywhere else! Use the boot cleaners before entering the ice house.
• Do not leave your fingers, palm of your hand, or your knee on the ice, as this results in “flat” spots in the ice.
• If you see hairs (less prevalent now that most brushes use pads) or dirt on the ice please pick them up and deposit them off the ice or to the side or end of the sheet. This will  help minimize “picks”.
• Keep your equipment out of the way to the back of the backboards so that nobody trips over it.
• Although the practice is less common in Western Canada, here in the East it is customary for the winning team to offer to buy a drink for the member in the same position on the opposing team. If you were the recipient of the drink, it is a good idea to return the favour in the second round.

Important Rules for Play

For a complete list of rules, you can download the Rules of Curling for General (club) play, and order the Official Rule book at these links:

• Rules of Curling for General Play, Sept. 2014 to Sept. 2018 (CCA)
• The Rules of Curling – Official Rule Book – contains all rules applicable to General Play as well as those applicable to Officiated Play – may be purchased from the CCA at the following address: http://store.curling.ca/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TRC&CartID=0

Stones

• A stone must finish inside the inner edge (closest to the rings) of the hog line to be in play, except when it has hit another stone in play.
• A stone that completely crosses the back line or touches the side board or side line is taken out of play.

Delivery

• Right-handed players deliver from the hack to the left of the centre line and left-handed players deliver from the hack to the right of the centre line. Any player may deliver from a hack on the centre line.
• The stone shall be released before it reaches the hog line at the delivering end.
• A stone that has not been released from the player’s hand may be returned to the hack and re-delivered as long as it has not reached the near tee line during delivery.
• If a player delivers a stone out of proper order, and the mistake is not noted until after the stone has come to rest or hit another stone, the stone is in play. The player missing his turn will throw his stone as the last one for his team on that end. If the skips can’t agree who missed his turn, then the lead of the team that made the mistake will throw the last stone for his team in that end.

Sweeping

• Only one player from each team may sweep behind the tee line. Only the skip or third of the non-delivering team may sweep behind the tee line.
• An opposing team’s stone may only be swept behind the tee line.
• The delivering team has first right to sweep its stone behind the tee line, but shall not prevent the non-delivering team from doing so.
• Only the skip or third of the non-delivering team may sweep their stones set in motion by the delivering team.
• Given that the intent of sweeping is to keep the path of the stone clean and to take the stone farther, there must be brush head movement in the sweeping motion.
• The sweeping motion shall not leave any debris in front of a moving stone.
• The final sweeping motion shall finish outside the path of the stone.
• If a stone in motion is touched by any player of the delivering team or his equipment before the far hog line, it shall be immediately removed from play. If the infraction occurs after the stone reaches the far hog line, the non-offending team has the option to remove the touched stone and replace all stones that were displaced after the infraction to their original positions; or leave all stones where they come to rest; or place all stones where it reasonably considers the stones would have come to rest had the moving stone not been touched.
• If a stationary stone is moved by any player the non-offending team shall replace the stone as close as possible to its original position. If there is any question as to which stone(s) was closer to the button, the displaced stone is placed in favour of the non-offending team.

Measuring

• Measurements shall be taken from the button to the nearest part of the rock.
• No physical device may be used in measuring rocks until the last rock of the end has come to rest, except to determine if one of the first two rocks of an end is in the rings or the free guard zone.
• If there is any doubt between the two opposing skips as to whether one of the first three rocks of an end finishes in the free guard zone, then a measuring device may be used to decide the matter.

Equipment

• No player shall use any footwear or equipment that may damage the surface of the ice.
• At the start of a game, each curler must declare which broom or brush he will be using for sweeping. Brushes may be exchanged between players on the same team, but a corn broom cannot be exchanged.

Curl PEI’s Saturday morning warmup spiels are a great way for Junior teams to get in practice for their upcoming provincials and other events. Two Cornwall teams, skipped by Mitchell and Devin Schut, were on the ice on Saturday at Crapaud for the first event. The next one is at Montague this coming Saturday, and the first one at Cornwall is on Dec. 13.

Team Mitchell Schut in their inaugural match (they lost on the last rock, but won their second game by a big score)

At the moment, there are only a few teams registered for the event at Montague – more are needed, and it’s not too late to signup! They’re only $40 per team for the morning, and give you two six-end games.

Here’s the remaining schedule:

–  December 6 – Montague
–  December 13 – Cornwall
–  January 31 – open
–  February 7 – open
–  February 14 – Cornwall
–  February 21 – Cornwall

To enter any of these events, use the following form http://peicurling.com/eventschships/competitions/about-peica-provincial-competitions/entry-form/ You can pay in advance or on the day of the event.

Cornwall’s second annual Masters Plus bonspiel wrapped up on Friday, with the Diane MacKay rink from the host club winning the event, and the Ken Nichol team from Sackville NB finishing in the runner-up spot. Masters Plus  teams have three players 60 and over, and one team member age 55 and over.

There were 16 teams entered, representing 7 curling clubs from NS, NB, and PEI. A point system was used to determine the final standings. Following is the list of the top four teams:

Curling Club              Skip                 Third              Second                       Lead

Cornwall Diane MacKay Myron MacKay   Vern Chowan               Fran Whitlock

Sackville        Ken Nicol      Don MacIntyre        Doug Oulton            Myles Trenholm

Cornwall        Shirley Berry Sandy Hope   Shelly Ebbett                    Arleen Harris

Charlottetown Julien Gaudin Wayne Arsenault Shoji Yamamoto Cathy Dillon

The host committee of Ed Coffin, Roy Coffin, Ron Giggey and Paul Arsenault want to extend a special thank you to Bev McCormick, Lance Lowther, and all the staff of the Cornwall Curling Club. Also, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the bonspiel including advertising, scoring, making coffee, lunches etc.

Thank you again to all the sponsors who supported this bonspiel by donating prizes.

16 teams from 7 different curling clubs are playing in the 2nd annual Masters Plus  fun spiel starting at 8:30 this morning here at the Club. Masters Plus means 3 curlers on a team must be at least 60 years old, with the fourth player permitted to be 55 years plus. The off-Island teams are from Antigonish, Sackville and Moncton. Island teams are from Cornwall, Summerside, Montague and Charlottetown. Play runs today and Friday with draws at 8:30am, 11:00 am, 1:30pm and 4:00pm both days. The Julien Gaudin rink from Charlottetown is back to defend their title after a posting a 4-0 win-loss record last year. The Cornwall Curling Club invites the public to come watch some exciting curling!:

Note that, because of the event, the Thursday evening draw will go half an hour later than normal for this evening, getting underway at 6:30. As well, there is no morning drop in, or afternoon stick or junior curling either day.

16 teams from 7 different curling clubs land in Cornwall this week for the 2nd annual Masters Plus  fun spiel. Masters Plus means 3 curlers on a team must be at least 60 years old, with the fourth player permitted to be 55 years plus. The off-Island teams are from Antigonish, Sackville and Moncton. Island teams are from Cornwall, Summerside, Montague and Charlottetown. Play runs Thursday November 20th and Friday November 21st with draws at 8:30am, 11:00 am, 1:30pm and 4:00pm both days. The Julien Gaudin rink from Charlottetown is back to defend their title after a posting a 4-0 win-loss record last year. The Cornwall Curling Club invites the public to come watch some exciting curling!

Cornwall’s Diane MacKay rink  (file photo)

1. Monique Taylor
2. Gloria Clarke
3. Ken Nicol
4. Tom Dunn
5. Kimball Blanchard
6. Bob Maynard
7. Bob Smith
8. Diane MacKay
9. Harry Williams
10. Barry Craswell
11. Bill Hope
12. Julien Gaudin
13. Bill Lutes
14. Paul Arsenault
15. Shirley Berry
16. Leona Williams

Draw (Thursday – November 20)

Time                      Ice 1                       Ice 2                       Ice 3                       Ice 4

8:30                        1×2                        3×4                         5×6                         7×8

11:00                     9×10                       11×12                    13×14                    15×16

1:30                        4×5                         2×7                         1×8                         3×6

4:00                        12×13                    10×15                    9×16                       11×14

Draw (Friday –November 21)

8:30                        10×12                    9×11                       13×15                    14×16

11:00                     2×4                         1×3                         6×8                         5×7

1:30                        9×13                       12×16                    10×14                    11×15

4:00                        1×5                         2×6                         3×7                         4×8

There will be practice before the 8:30 and 11:00 games on Thursday only. Practice times are 8:10, 8:20, 10:40, and 10:50. If time permits each player will throw 2 rocks down and 2 rocks back.  The hammer is determined by toss of a coin. Rock colours are assigned.

Our Mixed Doubles cashspiel is set to go on Saturday, with a full slate of 16 teams. The rules are posed on the board at the Club. If you’re not playing, drop by the Club and check out this exciting, relatively new, version of curling!

Here is the draw:

8:30 am

Ice 1 1-Angus Kennedy & Myrna Sanderson
vs 2-Angus & Lorianne Davies
Ice 2 3-Dean & Lisa MacEachern
vs 4-Grant Laird & Etta Reid
Ice 3 5-Frank Weiler & Cathy MacDougall
vs 6-Barry & Myrna Craswell
Ice 4 7-Danny & Donna Bernard
vs 8-Danny Kneabone & TBA

9:30 am

Ice 1 9-Ray Biagé & Cathy Handren
vs 10-Vince & Karen Fisher
Ice 2 11-Brent Irving & Angela Sanderson
vs 12-Kimball Blanchard & Gloria Clarke
Ice 3 13-Bob MacWilliams & Carlene Peters
vs 14-Jeff Taylor & Nicole MacEachern
Ice 4 15-Ankur Deshpande & Krista Affleck
vs 16-Vern Chowan & Carolyn Crockett

10:45 am

Ice 1 5-Frank Weiler & Cathy MacDougall
vs 7-Danny & Donna Bernard
Ice 2 6-Barry & Myrna Craswell
vs 8-Danny Kneabone & TBA
Ice 3 2-Angus & Lorianne Davies
vs 4-Grant Laird & Etta Reid
Ice 4 1-Angus Kennedy & Myrna Sanderson
vs 3-Dean & Lisa MacEachern

LUNCH

1 pm

Ice 1 13-Bob MacWilliams & Carlene Peters
vs 15-Ankur Deshpande & Krista Affleck
Ice 2 14-Jeff  Taylor & Nicole MacEachern
vs 16-Vern Chowan & Carolyn Crockett
Ice 3 9-Ray Biagé & Cathy Handren
vs 11-Brent Irving & Angela Sanderson
Ice 4 10-Vince & Karen Fisher
vs 12-Kimball Blanchard & Gloria Clarke

2 pm

Ice 1 6-Barry & Myrna Craswell
vs 7-Danny & Donna Bernard
Ice 2 3-Dean & Lisa MacEachern
vs 2-Angus & Lorianne Davies
Ice 3 1-Angus Kennedy & Myrna Sanderson
vs 4-Grant Laird & Etta Reid
Ice 4 5-Frank Weiler & Cathy MacDougall
vs 8

3:15 pm

Ice 1 14-Jeff  Taylor & Nicole MacEachern
vs 15-Ankur Deshpande & Krista Affleck
Ice 2 9-Ray Biagé & Cathy Handren
vs 12-Kimball Blanchard & Gloria Clarke
Ice 3 10-Vince & Karen Fisher
vs 11-Brent Irving & Angela Sanderson
Ice 4 13-Bob MacWilliams & Carlene Peters
vs 16-Vern Chowan & Carolyn Crockett

Pool A

1-Angus Kennedy & Myrna Sanderson
2-Angus & Lorianne Davies
3-Dean & Lisa MacEachern4-Grant Laird & Etta Reid

Pool B

5-Frank Weiler & Cathy MacDougall
6-Barry & Myrna Craswell
7-Danny & Donna Bernard
8-Danny Kneabone & TBA

Pool C
9-Ray Biagé & Cathy Handren
10-Vince & Karen Fisher
11-Brent Irving & Angela Sanderson
12-Kimball Blanchard & Gloria Clarke

Pool D

13-Bob MacWilliams & Carlene Peters
14-Jeff  Taylor & Nicole MacEachern
15-Ankur Deshpande & Krista Affleck
16-Vern Chowan & Carolyn Crockett

The Cornwall Curling Club is getting ready to host its second Masters Plus Bonspiel on Thursday November 20th and Friday November 21st. Masters Plus has three curlers on a team age 60 and over (Masters), and one player at least 55 years old (Plus).

Last year there were 16 teams entered, representing 10 different curling clubs from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. All teams have been invited back for this year’s bonspiel. Off Island teams already confirmed are from Antigonish, Sackville and Moncton. Draws are 8:30, 11:00, 1:30 and 4:00 each day.

The Julien Gaudin rink from Charlottetown won last year’s bonspiel and will be back to defend their title. The team included Cathy Dillon  Wayne Arsenault  and Shoji Yamamoto. Last year’s runners-up were the rink of Bob MacWilliams  John Berry  Roy Coffin  and Jim Farquharson, from the host Cornwall club.

File photo (L-R) Jim Farquharson, John Berry, Roy Coffin from MacWilliams rink – note the old scoreboards!

The host committee would really appreciate if anyone can voluntarily give up their locker for Thursday.and Friday and also want to thank the daytime curlers at the club for their cooperation.

Please be advised that there will be no daytime curling on those days, including morning drop in, stick, and juniors, but the Thursday evening draws will go ahead.

The Matthew MacLean rink from the Maple Leaf Curling Club in O’Leary and the Cornwall Curling Club, and the Veronica Smith team from Cornwall played each other in a 10 am Sunday consolation round quarter-final at the 21st annual JSI-OVCA Junior Superspiel, with the MacLean squad winning 7-2, helped out by a triple in the fourth end and a single steal in the 5th. The MacLean team lost the semi-final 7-4 to the Molly Greenworld rink from Kitchener Waterloo, who lost in the consolation final to last year’s men’s championship division winner Rene Comeau of Fredericton New Brunswick by a 5-4 score.

This year’s men’s champion is Korey Dropkin from the United States, who doubled Jack Lindsay of Oakville ON 6-4. Lauren Horton of Ottawa won the women’s division, edging Rachel Burtnyk of Winnipeg 6-5 in the final.