What’s ahead for Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling
Three Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling events down, four more to go for 2018-19.
We’ve seen plenty of exciting action among the world’s best teams and we’re stoked to see how the rest of the season unfolds. Here is a quick rundown of our fantastic four remaining events.
Boost National: Dec. 11-16, Conception Bay South, N.L.
Format: 15 men’s teams, 15 women’s teams
The Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling season resumes in less than a week at Conception Bay South Arena for the Boost National. There has been a buzz surrounding the Boost National since it was announced almost a year ago and full-event passes sold out within days.
It’s just a hunch, but we believe Team Brad Gushue from nearby St. John’s will receive quite the homecoming welcome. Gushue, who has won 11 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling titles, kicks off his quest for another against Team Yannick Schwaller in Tuesday’s opening draw.
The Boost National is also the second major of the season after the Canadian Beef Masters and followed by the Meridian Canadian Open and Players’ Championship. These four are the original events in the series with more prize money on the line.
Winnipeg’s Team Jennifer Jones enter as the defending women’s champions. Jones captured her record-extending ninth Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling women’s title at the event a year ago in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. Scotland’s Team Bruce Mouat are the reigning men’s champions with Mouat making history last season by becoming the youngest men’s skip to win a title in the series at age 23.
Boost National quick links: Tickets | Team Profiles | Game Schedule | Broadcast Schedule
Meridian Canadian Open: Jan. 8-13, 2019, North Battleford, Sask.
Format: 16 men’s teams, 16 women’s teams
Teams are chosen from both the World Curling Tour’s Order of Merit and year-to-date ranking systems for the third major of the season.
What also makes the Meridian Canadian Open unique is its preliminary format, triple knockout. There’s an easy way to remember how the bracket format works: win three games to qualify for the playoffs, lose three games and you’re out.
Saskatoon’s Team Kirk Muyres secured a spot to the event by winning the Tour Challenge Tier 2 men’s title in November while North Battleford’s own Team Robyn Silvernagle will compete in the women’s division. A full list of teams plus the game schedule will be announced in the near future.
This will be the second time in three seasons North Battleford’s Civic Centre hosts the Meridian Canadian Open. Fans two years ago were treated to an incredible run from Team Casey Scheidegger. The Lethbridge, Alta.-based club was competing in its first top-tier Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling event and not only qualified out of the triple knockout C brackets but went all the way to the final and stunned Team Silvana Tirinzoni picking up the decisive stolen point in the eighth end to win the women’s title.
The men’s final saw a heavyweight tilt between Team Brad Gushue and Team Niklas Edin with Gushue emerging on top in a preview of that year’s world championship gold-medal game.
Edin also finished runner-up at last year’s Meridian Canadian Open in Camrose, Alta., with Team Peter de Cruz stealing singles in the seventh and eighth ends of the men’s final to win 4-3. Team Chelsea Carey topped Team Michelle Englot for the women’s title.
Full-event and weekend passes plus individual tickets are now available for the Meridian Canadian Open. Visit 2019canadianopen.goigniter.com to purchase your tickets today.
Players’ Championship: April 9-14, 2019, Toronto
Format: 12 men’s teams, 12 women’s teams
The best teams of the season are invited to the prestigious Players’ Championship with selection based on the World Curling Tour’s year-to-date rankings. This will be the 27th running of the crown jewel event on the World Curling Tour as it actually predates the formation of the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling series.
The Players’ Championship has found a home at Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre with the venue formerly known as Maple Leaf Gardens holding the event for the fifth consecutive season and sixth time in seven years. Team Kevin Koe claimed the Players’ Championship men’s title last season defeating Team Niklas Edin in the men’s final while Team Jamie Sinclair stunned Team Jennifer Jones on the women’s side to become the first U.S.-based squad to win a title in the series.
The Pinty’s Cup will also be awarded following the conclusion of the Players’ Championship to the overall season champions.
Early bird full-event packages are now available online by clicking here or by calling 1-844-389-4754 but don’t delay as the special early bird deal expires Jan. 15.
Humpty’s Champions Cup: April 23-28, 2019, Saskatoon
Format: 15 men’s teams, 15 women’s teams
The top winners of the year clash in the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling season finale at the new Merlis Belsher Place. The criteria for entry to the Humpty’s Champions Cup is you have to win a high-profile event to get in.
Spaces have been filling up fast with Team Anna Hasselborg, Team John Epping, Team Brad Jacobs and recently Team Bruce Mouat booking their spots by claiming titles. Team Brad Gushue and Team Rachel Homan will also get the opportunity to defend their Humpty’s Champions Cup titles from last season.
Full-event packages are now available, click here to purchase yours today or call 306-966-1111. Weekend packages will be available for purchase starting Dec. 15 with individual tickets available March 1, 2019.