by Jim Anderson
Curling columnist
B.C.’s Kelly Scott came within a wide whisker of winning her third Scotties title, but a pick in the sixth end and a hot-shooting Alberta team proved to be too much for the Kelowna-based team.
Heather Nedohin was full value for her victories over Quebec, Manitoba, and the Scott foursome. If you enjoy national championship curling, I highly recommend the Scotties. Cheaper tickets, more intimate venues, and a superb staff featuring B.C.’s own Robin Wilson made the women’s show top notch.
The 2012 Canadian Seniors, which will start March 17 at Abbotsford Recreation Centre, will feature some very big names. As of the date of this writing, no less a talent than Pierrre Charette has qualified out of Quebec. Charette will be one of the favorites. Although he has never won a Brier, he has represented his home province on nine occasions. He holds a unique record, being the only Brier competitor to have occupied all positions on the team, including fifth man.
The women’s side of the competition will be star-studded. Curling icon Colleen Jones has won Nova Scotia. She has curled in 20, yes 20, Canadian women’s championships, won six Canadian titles and two world titles. Out of always-powerful Alberta comes Cathy King, a seven-time Scotties representative and a former powerhouse in the women’s cash tour. King also won a national title in 1998 (with Nedohin at third).
In local masters Guy Philps playdowns, the youthful Milt Sinclair rink won the over-60 years zone playdowns and will compete in the provincials in Kimberly March 6-9. Sinclair was supported by the every-spry Derek Robinson, the very flexible Brian Elmore, and the surprisingly lucid club president, Jerry Wallace.
The over 70s category was won by upstart Bernie Sparkes, with the aid of the experienced trio of Bruce Lonsbery, Howard Grisack, and Kiyo Hamade. Good luck and good medication, guys.