The name of the game was ‘fun’ at last weekend’s 2011 Athabasca Mixed Open Bonspiel.
The three-day event held at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex featured 24 teams, including both local curlers and others that traveled to Athabasca to take part.
Beginning on Friday and wrapping up on Sunday, the teams played a minimum of three games and ultimately split into A, B and C divisions with the finals of each being contested on Sunday afternoon.
At the end of the tournament, the big winner was the visiting team of skip Dwayne Linfoot, second Leon Schaub and Terese and Marissa Koch (third and lead, respectively) who won the ‘A’ division, coming out on top in the final game by a score of 9-2.
“It was a very good bonspiel,” said Linfoot, who traveled from Plamondon to take part in the event. “It was very well done and it was lots of fun.”
In the B Division, the local team of skip Paul Kunnas, lead Jessica Kunnas, second Darcy Freh and third Diana Freh were the winners (7-6 in the final game), while in the C Division it was another local team consisting of skip Dennis Saby, lead Helen Walker, second Bill Creaser and third Cathie Creaser that won (7-4 in the final).
But even the curlers who didn’t come out on top had a blast at the event, which included a karaoke night as well as a steak dinner.
Shelby Gill was one member of a team of Edwin Parr Composite School students that also included Ty Tangedal, Tyler Roszmann and Louise LeMessurier. For them, the event was a fun opportunity to hone their skills as they prepare for upcoming competitions.
“It’s tough because there’s a lot of adults and some good competition. But we got a lot of good advice and help,” she said.
Even after the final rock had been thrown, the fun continued in the upstairs lounge as curlers got together to share a drink and some stories from the weekend. Though not everyone found themselves in the winner’s circle, every member of the 24 teams enjoyed themselves.
“Everyone had a good time,” said local curler and club executive member Wayne Schinkinger. “Other than the weather, we did really good.”
