A total of 16 teams participated in the Athabasca Curling Club’s mixed bonspiel at the Athabasca Multiplex over the Jan. 11-13 weekend.
The event was split into an A, B, C style of tournament play so teams were guaranteed a minimum of three games, with winners advancing to semi-finals, and finals in each of the events.
A event
1st — Team Clark: Hugh Clark (skip), Rachel Clark (3rd), Dan Shank (2nd), Paula Clark (lead).
2nd — Team Saby: Dennis Saby (skip) Cathie Creaser (3rd) Mike Pelletier (2nd) Marilyn Saunders (lead).
The Clark family team from Westlock-Clyde area won the A final over the local Saby team with a final score of 9-5.
Paula Clark, team lead of the winner’s team, talked about how curling runs in the family.
“It was really good, and it was nice to have lots of families curling together, we have three generations [of family on our team] curling together.”
Dan Shank, second on the team, talked about how the Athabasca event is full hospitality.
“Really nice bunch of curlers here, the Athabasca bunch, they treat you good.” he said.
The team talked about their strategy to win their four straight games.
“We tend to go at each others throats once in awhile, [but the key is to] stay focused,” said Dan Shank.
Skip Hugh Clark said “take it as it goes, we don’t make enough shots to have a really good strategy.”
Rachel Clark, who is the youngest on the team, and playing third position, says the key to winning is “don’t argue, and try to make your shots.”
B event
1st — Team McEwans : Ed Deren (skip), Jennifer Kirkpatrick (3rd), Candice Jewell (2nd), Dave Geleta (lead)
2nd — Team Kunnas: Paul Kunnas (skip), Jessica Kunnas (3rd), Lee Zinnick (2nd), Christine Zinnick (lead)
Team McEwans won the B Event with a final score of 6-4, and talked about the good dinner and party venue at the event.
Dave Geleta said it was a really fun event and Jennifer Kirkpatrick talked about how nice it is to see out-of-towners coming to the event.
“We appreciate all the out of town people coming to make this event more successful” she said. “It’s good to see the younger members bringing up the club numbers.”
Candice Jewell talked about the involvement of younger families and kids taking part.
“It’s great to see the young families and all the kids coming out, that’s the next generation.” she said.
C event
1st — Team Niki: Connor Nikipelo (skip), Emily Clark (3rd) Tyler Graham (2nd) Bobbi Senyk (lead)
2nd — Team Day: Ken Day (skip), Darlene Day (3rd), Brian LeMessurier (2nd), Kim LeMessurier (lead)
Team Niki won the C event with a final score of 7-6, with an extra end being added to the event due to a tie.
Connor Nikipelo, skip for team Niki talked about how both team curled good, but Niki was able to come through for the win.
“Well, the team curled good, just two teams curling really good, and we made some good shots, and rebounded there. I’ve been curling for about 8 years now.” he said.
Skills contest
1st — Team Saby.
2nd — Team Feledichuk / Team Day.
The Skills Contest was an extra event with a cash buy-in for teams to test their skills doing specific tasks.
Darlene Day, Athabasca Curling Club executive, talked about the event.
“You can do a draw, takeout, double takeout, or try to get a rock on the button and get points for where you land,” she said. “The team at end with the most points wins the money pot.”
Family event
Besides the Clark family team, there was also Curtis Wiselka with his son and two daughters playing the in the event, and the Slupski family team.
Wiselka, a local curling legend, is getting his family involved and talked about how his kids have already been playing for a few years.
“The girls have been curling for three years, Josh has been curling for six years,” he said. “We’re having lots of fun.”
Slupski was happy to be curling his wife and two kids.
“It’s fun, I have an opportunity to play with my wife and my two kids so we are having a lot of fun out here, he said. “Everybody is so nice and competitive.”
The Athabasca Curling Club has two more bonspiels this season coming in the second and third weekend in March and offers drop-in curling on Thursday afternoons at the multiplex on top of their regular ladies, mens, mixed, and junior leagues.
