Sturmay receives invite to Co-op Canadian Open after Constantini withdraws
Italy’s Team Stefania Constantini withdrew from the Co-op Canadian Open due to medical reasons, the Grand Slam of Curling announced Sunday.
Team Constantini was the No. 9 seed in the major tournament, which is set to start Tuesday at Servus Arena in Red Deer, Alta.
Team Constantini announcement, via Instagram.
Due to timing, the Grand Slam of Curling said it decided to invite the highest-ranked Alberta-based women’s team as of the Dec. 18 qualification deadline to take Constantini’s place.
Edmonton’s Team Selena Sturmay, ranked 26th in the world at the cutoff date, received and accepted the invitation.
“Team Sturmay is having an excellent season and the GSOC feels that they are an adequate replacement considering the circumstances,” the series said in a statement.
The draw will not be rearranged with Team Sturmay taking on Constantini’s round-robin schedule.
“As you can appreciate, programs and scoreboards are all printed,” the Grand Slam of Curling said. “Fans have bought single game tickets to see specific games.”
The Co-op Canadian Open is the fourth Grand Slam of Curling event of the season featuring 16 of the top men’s teams and 16 of the top women’s teams from around the world.
Team Sturmay will begin round-robin play against Winnipeg’s Team Jones during Draw 4 Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. MT.
