The Nuway Crushing Cash Spiel will be held at the Whitehorse Curling Club from November 16 to 19.
“The response to the concept has been awesome,” said Dave Thompson, president of the Whitehorse Curling Club.
“We have been able to secure a major portion of the sponsorship necessary prior to the event, with Nuway Crushing taking the title sponsorship of the event for the next four years.”
Other sponsors already confirmed for the annual event are Skookum Asphalt, Air North and McDonald’s Restaurant.
It is expected that at least 18 teams would compete for the prize pool of over $18,000 in cash.
First prize will be $6,000. There are cash awards paying down through eighth place.
In addition to teams from the Yukon, teams are expected from Alaska, British Columbia, and Alberta.
“We are focusing our marketing on our neighbours,” said Thompson. “However, we are also extending some efforts around the world through the World Curling Tour.”
We will be applying to affiliate our event as soon as they are ready to receive applications for the next season.
(See information on World Curling Tour following this release)
This new event will in addition to the already very hectic bonspiel schedule planned for the last half of the 2005/2006 Curling Season, and the upcoming 2006/2007 season.
Yukon Quest
Two early January withdrawals have seen the 2006 Yukon Quest starting field reduced to 29 dog teams.
Cor Guimond of Dawson informed the Yukon Quest on January 3rd that he could not participate in the 2006 race.
Guimond, a veteran of six previous Yukon Quests, couldn’t find enough sponsors to run this year.
He last ran the Quest in 2001, and his best finish came in 1995 when he placed fourth.
On New Year’s Day, Swiss musher Emil Inauen announced his withdrawal from the race, citing difficulties in preparation and organization. Inauen entered the 2004 Yukon Quest.
Hockey
Rec league
Regular season standings after first half (win-loss-tie):
1st Boston Pizza (14-2-3)
2nd Southern Tutchone (13-6-1)
3rd Cinderwood (13-7-0)
4th Sports North (8-5-6)
5th Kopper King (11-9-0)
6th Yukon Appliance (10-8-2)
7th Air North (10-8-2)
8th EDI (8-9-4)
9th Kluane Drillers (9-10-1)
10th Narrow Gauge (7-13-0)
11th Alwarid and Associates (6-12-2)
12th Alkan Air (0-20-1)
Atom division (Sunday)
Esso Tigers 11
Locksmith Services 1
The Tigers dominated in this lopsided affair. Austin Turner-Davis scored four goals and helped out on two more, while Jared Steinbach scored the hat trick and assisted on one.
Trevor Whynot popped in a pair and added an assist, while Adam Waddington and Coleman Newell scored singles.
James McGrath assisted on two goals, and Christopher Thompson and Landon Worsfeld added assists as well.
Ryan Chippett scored the lone goal for Locksmith, assisted by Josh Harlow.
Squash
Sunday junior league
Canada Flooring 31
Honda 13
Canada Flooring’s Jeanette Carney, Robert McMynn and Rory Gibson swept their opponents (Zoe Walker, Shaun Stinson and Braedan Brickner, respectively) to trounce Honda in Sunday action. Aziz Van Gassen needed the full five sets to beat Honda’s Tamara Matechuk.
Denis Godin beat Gavin Nyland in five sets, recording Honda’s only win of the series.
Pacific Northwest 23
Vandelay Systems 21
A close contest, with each team winning three matches. Pacific Northwest’s Jasper Martin and Jane Bell swept Steven Harlow and Logan Small, respectively. While Chantal Emond beat Vandelay’s Kai Knorr in four sets.
For Vandelay, Scott Meredith swept Kelly Panchyshyn, and Logan Godin shut out Brandon Gullison.
Erin Linklater needed five sets to beat Pacific Northwest’s Stephen Grundmanis, and that’s what cost Vandelay the two points. The loss put them into a tie for second place overall with Pacific Northwest.
Standings as of January 8:
1st Canada Flooring, 166
2nd (tie) Vandelay Systems, Pacific Northwest, 156
4th Honda, 106
5th Microage, 104