News General News

Kyle Smith. (Anil Mungal)

Eight Ends: Future is now for Scotland’s Team Smith

Playdowns took place overseas this past weekend with a handful of spots on the line for the European Curling Championships, running Nov. 20-28 in Esbjerg, Denmark.

A bonus for this year’s ECC winners is they will earn berths to the Champions Cup, the season-ending Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling event.

While a few familiar names will be in the mix, there’s one surprise entry making a name for themselves on the men’s side.

1st End: Future is now for Scotland’s Team Smith

Kyle Smith capped a stunning week to earn the right to represent Scotland at the European Curling Championships.

Team Smith, the 2013 world junior champions, lost their first two games of playdowns but rebounded to win six straight including close back-to-back victories in the best-of-three final against Tom Brewster’s team.

Smith scored a point in the extra end to win Game 1 of the final series 7-6 and earned a single in the 10th end for the 4-3 victory in Game 2.

This wasn’t just a lucky week for Team Smith as they have had a strong season on tour this season under the tutelage of Coach K, Olympic bronze medallist Viktor Kjäll. Smith garnered attention reaching the semifinals at the Tour Challenge Tier 2 in September and it seems clear they’re establishing themselves as a team to watch out for not just in the future but right now.

Also worth noting is Team Smith features vice skip Thomas Muirhead, the younger brother of world champion Eve Muirhead. Speaking of Eve …

2nd End: Muirhead runs the table

Eve Muirhead will represent Scotland again at the European Curling Championships following an undefeated run on the women’s side.

Muirhead finished the round robin with a 4-0 record and held on to beat Lauren Gray 7-6 in the final.

Rachel Hannen spared for lead Sarah Reid, who is recovering from injury.

Muirhead has medalled at the past five European Curling Championships including winning gold in 2011.

3rd End: Paetz, De Cruz top playdowns in Switzerland

The rest of the European Curling Championships field is shaping up with Peter De Cruz and reigning world champ Alina Paetz set to represent Switzerland.

Paetz defeated last year’s ECC champ Binia Feltscher in the Swiss women’s final while De Cruz qualified by winning his series over Sven Michel.

Anna Sidorova will represent Russia by sweeping her best-of-seven series 4-0 against Victorya Moiseeva.

Sweden selected their teams and will send Cissi Ostlund and defending men’s champion Niklas Edin.

4th End: Laycock cools red-hot Koe in Portage

Steve Laycock took the Canad Inns Men’s Classic title Monday in Portage la Praire, Man., following an 8-5 victory over Kevin Koe in the final.

Team Laycock went 7-0 through the tournament and iced the red-hot Team Koe, who were looking to win their third consecutive title on tour this season.

5th End: Elsewhere on tour

Julie Tippin defeated Allison Flaxey 7-2 to complete an undefeated run through the Stroud Sleeman Cash Spiel in Stroud, Ont. Codey Maus stayed perfect as well with a 9-6 win over Rasmus Stjerne to earn the men’s title.

Aaron Sluchinski also kept it 100 percent with a 6-2 win over Kevin Yablonski to take the McKee Homes Fall Curling Classic on Sunday in Airdrie, Alta. Sluchinski’s team finished with a 6-0 record to successfully defend the title.

Sean Geall edged Dean Joanisse 5-4 in the men’s final to take the Hub International Crown of Curling title in Kamloops, B.C. Un-Chi Gim beat Satsuki Fujisawa 6-5 for the women’s title.

6th End: Final Masters tune-ups and double the fun in Portage

The Challenge Chateau Cartier de Gatineau takes place this weekend in Gatineau, Que. The 32-team field includes some high profile men’s squads looking to gear up ahead of the Masters including Team Brad Gushue, Team Pat Simmons, Team John Epping and Sweden’s Team Niklas Edin (although it’s not that far of a trip for them as they’re currently taking up residence in Ottawa).

This week it’s the women who descend upon Portage la Prairie for the Canad Inns Women’s Classic. Team Jennifer Jones are the double defending champions and they’ll look to make it three in a row facing off against the likes of Team Tracy Fleury, Team EunJung Kim, Team Margaretha Sigfridsson and more.

Also keep an eye out for mixed doubles in Portage with the teams of Jeff Stoughton and Kaitlyn Lawes, Rachel Homan and John Morris, Chelsea Carey and Colin Hodgson, Jennifer Jones and Brent Laing, plus more in action.

7th End: Masters lineup changes

We’re just one week away from the second Pinty’s GSOC event of the season. The Masters starts next Tuesday at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro, N.S.

There are a few updates to the lineups since the teams were announced. Dawn McEwen returns to lead for Team Jones and Wayne Middaugh will be back with Team Glenn Howard.

Click here for ticket information and don’t forget to check out the live entertainment set to perform at the Grand Slam Social House.

8th End: National also on the horizon

Single draw tickets are now available for the National, running Nov. 10-15 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ont. Keep it here as the Pinty’s GSOC will announce the list of teams competing in the event soon.