Local curlers taking a shot at Olympic trials berth, Okotoks Classic getting underway

Sep 23, 2021 | 6:00 AM

Two curlers from Grande Prairie will be taking a run at a spot in Canada’s Olympic curling trials starting Thursday in Ottawa.

Cary-Anne McTaggart and Kristie Moore are at the Canadian Curling Trials Direct Entry Event in Ottawa with the rest of Team Scheidegger.

They will open play this afternoon against Laura Walker at 2 p.m. Alberta time Thursday afternoon.

Five teams are looking for three spots in the trials to be held in November in Saskatoon.

Five men’s teams are vying for two spots at the trials.

Beaverlodge’s Geoff Walker already has a spot at trials as part of Team Gushue. Kevin Koe’s team has also earned a spot.

Eight men’s and eight women’s teams are also competing for spots at the Curling Pre-Trials to be held in October in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. The top two men’s and women’s teams from that even also advance to the Olympic qualification event.

Okotoks Classic

The first draw at the Okotoks Classic will also go Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. Mountain Time.

Koe will play St. Albert’s Nathan Molberg.

Team Karsten Sturmay, with Dawson Creek’s Tristan Steinke at third, will open against Edmonton’s Ryan Parent.

Team Tyler Tardi, with Dawson Creek product Jason Ginter at second, plays Edmonton’s Ryan Jacques in Draw 1

Tardi and Sturmay will also be at the Pre-Trials in Nova Scotia next month.

by Curtis Galbraith