Update on Championships

Curling Canada’s remaining 2019-20 national curling championships have now been officially cancelled and will not be rescheduled, it was confirmed today.

The 2020 Canad Inns Canadian Mixed Doubles (in Portage la Prairie, Man.), the 2020 Everest Canadian Seniors (in Portage la Prairie), the 2020 Canadian Under-18 (in Sudbury) and the 2020 Canadian Wheelchair championships (in Boucherville, Que.) will not be contested due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We didn’t make this decision lightly, but keeping our athletes, volunteers and staff safe was the primary motivation,” said Katherine Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Curling Canada. “We know this has been difficult on athletes who were pursuing their athletic dreams this season. We also know they share our concerns that everyone stays safe in this time of uncertainty, and we thank them for their understanding and dedication to our sport and curling fans across Canada.”

The cancellation of the Curling Canada events is in line with the World Curling Federation’s formal announcement that the 2020 World Women’s, World Men’s, World Seniors and World Mixed Doubles Championships will not be played.

“I know this is a disappointment for the host committees for those events, and I want to thank them for all of their efforts as they prepared to welcome these championships to their cities,” said Henderson. “I’d also like to express our gratitude for the ongoing support and commitment of our marketing partners, who play such a vital role in keeping our sport healthy.”

The World Curling Federation has taken the extremely difficult decision not to reschedule its World Women’s, LGT World Men’s, World Mixed Doubles and World Senior Curling Championships 2020, which were cancelled in March due to the global spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

This decision has consequences for world championship qualification in the 2020-2021 season, both for competing Member Associations and the various qualification events to be played in the new season. Also, there are consequences for the Olympic Qualification Points process for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 — a process approved by the International Olympic Committee.

World Curling Federation President, Kate Caithness, said: “This has been one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make in the history of our sport — to completely cancel four world championships in a single season — particularly when Olympic qualification is at stake.

“I am extremely grateful to all those who have helped us come to this unprecedented decision and kindly ask for the entire curling community’s understanding, as I recognise the implications of such a decision are disheartening. However, when the Board, our staff and I considered the costs of rescheduling and finding space in the curling calendar, when we still have no idea as to the full extent of the coronavirus, we really were left with no other option.

“I fervently hope that we will see an end to the spread of this dreadful virus in the very near future and life can return to some normality. Please stay safe and well, and let’s look forward to us getting back to curling soon and delivering a complete 2020-2021 season.”

More from WCF here: https://bit.ly/2VfQb3F

Today, we learned that many postponed curling events have been officially cancelled. We support these difficult decisions made by our partners at Curling Canada and the World Curling Federation. We empathize with all athletes coaches and host communities who are deeply affected by this situation.

We would like to note the Master’s National Championship is not a Curling Canada sanctioned event and we await further information from the Host Committee and Masters steering committee.

At this time the National Club Championship (TBA) and National Mixed Championships (in Canmore, Alberta) remain on the schedule.

At this time the Prairieland Curling Camp remains on our schedule.

CURLSASK and the Championship Committee are working hard to determine the next steps for the 2020-2021 season and will provide a full update when we are able.

Member Clubs

Staff continue to be in contact with member clubs to determine the impacts of CoVid-19 on curling in our province. As the curling community navigates through this unprecedented time, a survey was sent to all member clubs to collect data on the impact to curling clubs. Based on the aggregate data, CURLSASK will be able to demonstrate the provincial impact to our sport and share this information with key government and funding stakeholders. Based on individual responses, we are working to match curling clubs with eligible national and provincial funding programs and supports. If you have not yet completed this survey please contact Daniel Selke for more information.

In addition, we continue to provide notice of relevant grant and program opportunities on our Saskatchewan Curling Club Connects Facebook Group. CURLSASK has sent a revised version of our Bylaws for members to view in advance of our AGM. If you have questions or comments please reach out to Ashley Howard.