Two big provincial curling championships have merged into one mega Saskatchewan event.
For the first time, both the Viterra Pinnacle (formerly the Scotties) and SaskTel Tankard will be played concurrently at the same place.
Kindersley will be the site of both events from January 21-26.
Steve Laycock, curling out of the Swift Current Curling Club, and longtime veteran of the Tankard says the moving both the Pinnacle and Tankard to the same venue at the same time is very beneficial.
“I think it’s a great move, especially if it’s going to allow Curl Sask to have great host venues and playing arenas, because I know it’s becoming challenging to find those committees and host sites.”
To allow both the Pinnacle and the Tankard to be played at the same time next week, the field has been reduced to nine teams in each competition. Three teams qualified in both the Pinnacle and Tankard based on the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS), three teams qualified both events were based on the rankings from the Saskatchewan Curling Tour (SaskCTRS) and three teams qualified in the Last Chance Qualifier events from Jan.2-5, with Nipawin hosting the Pinnacle Last Chance Qualifier and Swift Current hosting the Tankard Last Chance Event.
For the Pinnacle, Michelle Englot (Regina-Highland), Ashley Thevenot (Saskatoon-Nutana) and Penny Barker (Moose Jaw) rinks qualified from the CTRS.
Amber Holland (Saskatoon-Sutherland), Mandy Selzer (Balgonie), Nancy Martin (Saskatoon-Nutana) reached the Pinnacle based on the Sask CTRS.
Jolene Campbell (Regina-Highland), Jessica McCartney (Saskatoon-Nutana) and Brooklyn Stevenson (Regina-Highland) advanced after claiming the remaining spots in the Last Chance Qualifier in Nipawin.
On the men's side, Dustin Kalthoff (Saskatoon-Nutana), Rylan Kleiter (Saskatoon-Nutana), Kelly Knapp (Regina-Highland) qualified based on the CTRS.
Jason Jacobson (Saskatoon-Nutana), Logan Ede (Martensville) and Brad Moser (Saskatoon-Nutana) reached the Tankard from the CTRS.
Laycock (Swift Current), Charley Thomas (Langenburg), and Dylan Derksen (Martensville) emerged from the Tankard Last Chance Qualifier in Swift Current.
With the fields reduced to nine teams, the round robin will now be a single round robin as opposed to the two pools.
Playoffs for both events will begin on Saturday, January 25.
The Pinnacle will wrap up on Sunday, January 26 with the final beginning at 3:00 pm. The Tankard will also conclude on the 26th with the final beginning at 7:00 pm.
The Pinnacle Champions will represent Saskatchewan at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, Ontario from February 14-23.
The Tankard Champions will be wearing the Saskatchewan green jackets at the Montana’s Brier in Kelowna, British Columbia from February 28- March 9.
Mike McEwen from the Nutana Curling Club has already qualified for the Brier.