News Canadian Open

Val Sweeting hopes the “Sweeting Nation” will be out in full force once again at the Meridian Canadian Open.

Born in Redvers, Sask., Sweeting is looking forward to playing in her home province for the Meridian Canadian Open, which makes a return trip to the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton, running Dec. 8-13.

Sweeting, who now lives in Vegreville, Alta., said it was amazing getting the chance to play in Saskatchewan last year for the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling major tournament.

“I have a lot of family in the area, so it was kind of a mini-reunion,” she said. “It’s so nice to see my family together in the stands! We don’t get to see each other a lot, so the fact that they can all come together for one of the curling events is very special to me.”

Sweeting added why playing at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton in particular has sentimental value to her.

“My uncle, Allan Harrison, coached the Yorkton Mallers for a number of years,” she said. “His team won the Air Canada Cup in 1993 in Kitchener, Ont. — the same place we won the (Canadian Olympic) pre-trials in 2013. So seeing that banner, along with his banner above sheet C, and playing beneath them is a very special feeling!”

Sweeting made it to the semifinals at the 2014 Canadian Open during a banner season on the circuit that saw her win her first career Pinty’s GSOC title at the Masters and also reach the final four at the crown jewel event of the series, the Players’ Championship.

The Edmonton-based Team Sweeting also captured the Canada Cup title and represented Alberta for the second consecutive year at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts where they took home the silver medal.

This season Sweeting missed the playoffs at the season-opening Tour Challenge event but bounced back by finishing runner-up at the Masters and reaching the semifinals of the National as they head into the Canadian Open.

Tickets are available for the 2015 Meridian Canadian Open. Click here for details.

Can’t make it to Yorkton? Watch on Sportsnet starting Dec. 10 at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT (full TV schedule & links to watch online).