Action for all 56 teams got started Friday at the Annual Red Deer Curling Classic.
Men’s and Women’s teams will battle throughout the weekend on the World Curling Tour stop, with the top team on both sides each slated to earn $10,000 for a win.
Reigning 2019 Scotties Tournament of Hearts champ Chelsea Carey got off to a good start Friday, knocking off Kaitlin Stubbs 7-2 in the first draw. Scotland’s Maggie Wilson picked up a tight 4-3 win over Selena Sturmay. Lacombe’s Marla Sherrer lost a tough 7-6 game to Meini Wang, while Sarah Wark of Abbotsford, B.C. beat Ashley Kalk 8-3.
Teryn Berlando of Calgary edged Kyla Skrlik 6-4 and Corryn Brown rounded out the opening draw with a win against Yanan Guo.
Although they weren't on the original draw, @chelscarey and her team are in town for the #RDCurlingClassic
— Byron Hackett (@RDAbyronhackett) November 15, 2019
They stepped in for Nicky Kaufman and beat Kaitlin Stubbs in the opener 7-2. Play at 4:30 this afternoon against Kelsey Rocque.
In Draw 2, Kellie Stiksma defeated Jodi Vaughan 5-3 and Abby Marks of Edmonton won 8-6. Tori Koana of Japan rolled over Leslie Hammond of Edmonton 7-2. Michelle Englot and her team picked up their first win of the weekend, earning a 5-2 victory over Brette Richards of Kelowna, B.C.
Lindsay Hudyma earned a 10-9 win in a high-scoring affair against Melissa Pierce of Edmonton and Jamie Sinclair of Charlotte, N.C. beat Brett Barber 11-2.
Action is underway at the #RedDeerCurlingClassic and curling legend @MichelleEnglot shares a bit of knowledge with Sarah England, daughter of Sandra Schmirler.
— Byron Hackett (@RDAbyronhackett) November 15, 2019
Englot retired in after the 2017-18 season, but came back to skip for England and her team.@worldcurltour pic.twitter.com/xoKkC7zUzU
On the men’s side, the two-time world junior champion Tardi rink won handily 8-1 over Kalem Hamilton in Draw 1.
Steven Howard edged Shaun Meachem 7-5, while Ted Appleman of Edmonton won 5-3 over Junpei Kanda. Sean Geall won in just six ends over Jiahong Ma of China. Daniel Wenzek of B.C. grabbed an 8-2 win over Josh Heidt and Daylan Vavrek rounded out the opening draw with a 5-4 win in extra ends over Kevin Park.
In Draw 2, defending champion Kody Hartung fell 5-3 to Xinlong Kang of China. Edmonton’s Warren Cross defeated Jeff Richard 7-5, Ryan Jacques won 5-4 over Hames Pahl and Jeremy Harty knocked off Branden Cookson 6-2. Scotland’s Ross Whyte rolled to an 8-3 win over Simon Gempeler and Aaron Sluchinski powered past Thomas Scoffin 7-1.
Draw 3 starts at 4:30 p.m., with Draw 4 at 8 p.m at the Pidherney Curling Centre.
The bonspiel continues throughout the weekend, with the final draw set for 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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