Photo by Curtis Galbraith

By Curtis Galbraith

Curling

Balderston’s Sexsmith rink wins provincial mixed title

Mar 24, 2024 | 6:07 PM

The Kurt Balderston rink from the Sexsmith Curling Club has won the Alberta Mixed Championship.

They beat Sherwood Park’s Warren Cross 7-2 in the final played on Sunday afternoon at the Grande Prairie Curling Centre.

A deuce of seven then steals of two in the seventh and eighth ends sealed the win.

Balderston has now won eight Alberta titles, seven of those in mixed curling.

“This one is really special. At this stage in my life, having four years off curling and to curl with three young curlers that I watched grow up, it’s a just real honour and I feel very blessed to be here in this position today.”

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The team also includes third Janais DeJong, second Daylen Vavrek, and lead Stephanie Malekoff.

“I’ve gone twice with Stephanie to Canadians 12 and 11 years ago. Daylen, I’ve played with his dad for years. We’ve practiced together. I coached Janais and we went to a Canadians together six years ago.”

“I feel very blessed. At this stage of life, you don’t take things like this for granted and this one is really special.”

Balderston has won provincial mixed titles playing out of both Sexsmith and Grande Prairie.

He considers both home clubs.

“We have great ice makers. We’re blessed to be able to practice on some of the best ice in the country and it plays a huge part in our success.”

The Balderston foursome will represent Alberta at the Canadian Mixed championship in November.

Balderston says his team will have time to practice together in October and November.

L to R: Skip Kurt Balderston, third Janais DeJong, second Daylen Vavrek and lead Stephanie Malekoff. Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

The Kurt Balderston rink (black jackets) and the Warren Cross foursome (L or R) of lead Ashley Kalk, second Craig McAlpine, third Erica Wiese and skip Warren Cross with their medals. Photo by Curtis Galbraith.