14°c Light rain
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
McEwen opens Classic with victory
Mike McEwen out of the Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club throws a rock during his game against Jared Kolomaya Friday. (TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE — The two-time defending champion Mike McEwen team of Winnipeg opened the men's 2012 Canad Inns Prairie Classic bonspiel at the Portage Curling Club with a victory on Friday afternoon.
McEwen and his team of third BJ Neufeld, second Matt Wozniak and lead Denni Neufeld defeated the Jared Kolomaya team from Stonewall 5-3 in the second draw of the day.
"I don't think I've ever seen so many teams in the top 15 (in the world) here so it kind of resonates like a Slam (Grand Slam event) field," said McEwen. "The ice is really good so it's going to be a good test out here this weekend."
Also opening Friday was the women's 2012 Manitoba Lotteries Curling Classic at Winnipeg's Fort Rouge Curling Club, one of three women's Grand Slam events.
Other teams winning their second-draw games were Mark Kean, Jeff Stoughton, Kevin Martin, Sean Grassie, Kevin Koe, Rob Fowler and Randy Dutiaume.
"We're very happy with the field we got this year. This is the best we've had in 10 years," said Trevor Found, the president of the Portage Curling Club. "There's a $58,000 purse with $18,000 for first place so it's one of the top events."
Found said Portage ice technician Garnet Cairns is being assisted by Greg Ewasko, who is the ice technician for the provincial championships, a combination that has created a world-class surface for the competitors.
The women's Manitoba Lotteries Curling Classic has a $60,000 prize purse with $15,000 as the first prize.
Winning women's teams in the second draw included Marie-France Larouche, Stefanie Lawton, Heather Nedohin, Rachel Homan, Margaretha Sigridsson and Valerie Sweeting.
Draws continue this evening for the men at 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. for the women.
Twitter: @WFPAshleyPrest
More Curling
- Back to Top
- Return to Curling
More Curling
(1 of 7 articles for this year)
Nail-biter turns into a rout for Jones
02/18/2013 4:46 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Curling
- Nail-biter turns into a rout for Jones
- Nude curling calendar gets German attention
- Meakin still makin' history
- Lawes takes turn as calendar girl
- The 8-ender: Walchuk not to be confused with Imelda Marcos; Ferbey's jab losing sting
- Morris resurfaces with Cotter's crew
- Overton-Clapham joining Alberta's Webster team
- 'Spinarama' watch begins
- Jones celebrates precious delivery
- Manitoba's Jeff Stoughton into final, all-Ontario semifinal at the Brier
- Overton-Clapham moves back to third for Alberta rink
- Nail-biter turns into a rout for Jones
- Nedohin fills Morris slot on Martin squad
- Stoughton releases his longest serving teammate
- Overton-Clapham joining Alberta's Webster team
- Jones boots her third off team
- Sweeping changes in curling
- New girl in the HOUSE
- Overton-Clapham taking break from curling
- Nude curling calendar gets German attention
- Overton-Clapham joining Alberta's Webster team
- Morris resurfaces with Cotter's crew
- Overton-Clapham moves back to third for Alberta rink
- Morris pulls pin on Martin rink
- Morris pulls plug on Martin team; no replacement named
- Kevin Martin looking for a new third following departure of John Morris
- Jones boots her third off team
- Winnipeg rinks are hearing the roar now
- Local rinks pumped for Olympic curling trials
- Timing of Morris departure from Martin rink a surprise given trials on horizon
- Overton-Clapham moves back to third for Alberta rink
- Overton-Clapham joining Alberta's Webster team
- Kevin Martin looking for a new third following departure of John Morris
- Morris pulls pin on Martin rink
- Veteran third Morris joins Cotter's B.C. rink for Olympic pre-trials
- Morris pulls plug on Martin team; no replacement named
- Nedohin fills Morris slot on Martin squad
- Morris resurfaces with Cotter's crew
- Curling for the Kremelin
- Overton-Clapham taking break from curling
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.