Road to the Scotties – East Update

The quest for the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship begins this week in the Atlantic provinces with the Newfoundland/Labrador playdowns taking place January 15-20 at the Bally Haly Golf and Curling Club in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Prince Edward Island’s Suzanne Birt (Photo CCA/Andrew Klaver)

Perennial favourite Heather Strong – a 10-time Scotties representative – leads a field that includes her former third, Shelley Nichols, with the goal of securing a berth in the 2013 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, February 16-24 in Kingston. The Halifax Curling Club will be the scene of the Nova Scotia playdowns, January 22-27, where Mary-Anne Arsenault will be at the helm and Colleen Jones will throw third stones.  The two veterans celebrated five Scotties championships together between 1999 and 2004. The action gets underway January 23-27 at the Charlottetown Curling Club in Prince Edward Island.  Suzanne Birt, who has worn the provincial colours six times, will face defending champ Kim Dolan, who will be seeking a thirteenth trip to the national championship. The Atlantic playdowns wrap up with the crowning of the New Brunswick representatives, January 30-February 3 at the Gladstone Curling Club in Fredericton. Updates on results from playdowns across the country will be featured on the Scotties Tournament of Hearts website as the winners are decided. “You Gotta Be There” for the 2013 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Kingston’s K-Rock Centre.  Excellent seats to see Canada’s best compete for the national title are still available – get yours right now by clicking here.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Heather Strong (Photo CCA/Andrew Klaver)