Nelson and Grand Forks rinks - mixed with some Trail flavour - advanced to the senior men’s and women’s provincial curling championship in Trail next month after sweeping their respective A-events at the Zone 1-2 playdowns in Cranbrook on the weekend.
In the women’s event just two teams faced off to see which team would advance to the provincials.
Grand Forks’ Teresa Hiram rink with Trail’s Rose Beauchamp throwing third, second Rhonda Lee Bedard of Trail, and lead Cindy Pettapiece won convincingly over Nelson’s Deb de Tremaudan foursome, with 10-1 and 12-4 victories to ensure its spot in the B.C.’s.
On the men’s side, skip Tom Shypitka’s rink with third Fred Thomson, second Don Freschi of Trail, and lead Bill King curled to victory in the A qualifier, while Castlegar’s Myron Nichol rink earned a berth by winning the B side.
Shypitka opened the event with an 11-2 six-end drubbing of Nichol, and followed that up with a close 6-5 second draw win over Sparwood’s Ken McHargue rink. With a berth to the B.C.’s on the line, Shypitka took on Ralph Will’s foursome from Creston and tied 8-8 heading into the ninth end, Shypitka scored two to seal a 10-8 victory.
After a tough start, the Nichol rink got back on track with wins over Salviulo of Nelson 7-6, an 8-1 victory over Trail’s Rob Ferguson rink, and an 8-6 win over McHargue.
In the B qualifier, Nichol faced the Will rink who lost the A-final to Shypitka, with the final berth to the B.C.’s hanging in the balance. Will held a 3-2 lead heading into the fifth but Nichol scored two with the hammer, then added three enders in the seventh and ninth ends to cruise to a 10-5 victory.
The Trail Curling Club hosts the B.C. Seniors curling championship Feb. 11-17.