Lots of loot on the line in weekend bonspiels

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This article was published 23/10/2009 (6181 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PRACTISE is one thing, but sliding out of the hack against a world champ — and with a big chunk of change at stake — might just be the best incentive for any curler trying to get their game right.

And that’s why in this Olympic year events like this weekend’s Meyers Norris Penny Classic in Portage la Prairie is huge for somebody like Mike McEwen and his Assiniboine Memorial rink.

Not only is the cash good — the $58,000 offered makes it the largest purse on the Manitoba Curling Tour schedule — but the 32-team field is dotted with heavyweight names like Burtnyk, Stoughton, Hackner, Peters, Dace and Middaugh.

"Honestly, we’re kinda in between with our game right now. I don’t think we’re curling super great," said McEwen. "We’re still fine-tuning things and in our first three events we certainly had to grind a little bit more than we wanted to. We’re certainly not at peak form yet."

McEwen, along with Kerry Burtnyk, Jeff Stoughton and Jason Gunnlaugson, will represent the four-team Manitoba contingent heading to Prince George, B.C. early next month in an attempt to earn a place at the Olympic Trials in Edmonton in December.

"As we get closer to Prince George you certainly want to get a significant amount of confidence going into the event," said McEwen. "Usually that comes with big finishes. Any event before Prince George where you perhaps win or go deep would go a long way in giving you a mental boost."

Meanwhile, some of the best female curlers on the planet — including world champ Jennifer Jones — will be competing at the Manitoba Lotteries Women’s Classic at the Fort Rouge Curling Club, with a $60,000 purse in play. The Jones’ foursome, already with two World Curling Tour victories this season, are in action in the first round against Winnipeg’s Patti Burtynk.

Also in the impressive 32-team field are Anette Norberg — who will represent Sweden in Vancouver — as well as Cheryl Bernard who, like Jones, has qualified for the Trials in Edmonton and 10 Prince George bound rinks: Saskatchewan’s Sherry Anderson, Michelle Englot and Amber Holland; Alberta’s Cathy King, Crystal Webster and Heather Rankin; Marie-France Larouche and Eve Belisle of Quebec; Ontario’s Krista McCarville, and B.C.’s Kelly Scott.

Both events begin today and run through to the finals on Monday.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca