Carey qualifies for Humpty’s Champions Cup
Chelsea Carey was just a fan in the stands for the Humpty’s Champions Cup last year at WinSport Arena.
Carey did not qualify for the season-ending Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling tournament, which requires teams to win a high-profile title in order to receive an invitation.
The Calgary club was left on the outside looking in for its hometown event but that isn’t going to be the case this time. Carey captured the Meridian Canadian Open title Sunday in Camrose, Alta., to earn a spot in the 2018 Humpty’s Champions Cup, returning to WinSport Arena, April 24-29.
“I went and watched it last year and it was really hard to be sitting in the stands and not out there,” Carey said after claiming her first Pinty’s GSOC trophy. “I’m really excited to be part of that this time.”
Full event passes are now available for the Humpty’s Champions Cup! Visit Ticketmaster.ca to purchase your tickets today!
Carey defeated Winnipeg’s Michelle Englot 10-5 in the Meridian Canadian Open women’s final. The victory followed some disappointing tournaments for the team after falling in the Olympic Trials final to Rachel Homan and losing in the Alberta Scotties semifinals on a steal against Shannon Kleibrink.
“We’ve had a little bit of heartbreak recently,” Carey said. “It’s nice to turn that around, come out on top, be the champs and get a spot in the Champions Cup in our home city. There are so many good things that come from that so that felt really pretty amazing.”
Switzerland’s Peter de Cruz received his Humpty’s Champions Cup ticket defeating Niklas Edin of Sweden 5-3 in the Meridian Canadian Open men’s final.
“It’s amazing,” Team de Cruz fourth Benoit Schwarz said. “We didn’t have many opportunities left for the Champions Cup but now we’re really looking forward to the end of the season, for sure.”
De Cruz joins a growing field that already includes Brad Jacobs, Brad Gushue, Chang-Min Kim, Bruce Mouat and Edin.
Carey adds her name to the women’s division featuring Homan, Val Sweeting, Jennifer Jones, Eve Muirhead and EunJung Kim.
Below is the list of tournaments eligible for qualification. If a team wins more than one of the events listed (e.g. Team Gushue claiming the Tour Challenge Tier 1 and Masters) the winner of the next-ranked World Curling Tour event based on strength of field will receive an invitation to complete the field with a total of 15 men’s teams and 15 women’s teams.
