The Airdrie Curling club held its first bonspiel last weekend since being allowed to reopen.

The McKee Fall Classic, one of the first legs of the World Curling Tour, took place over the Thanksgiving long weekend, but looked very different than in previous years.

Last year the tournament featured 18 men’s teams with rinks from China, Russia, South Korea and Japan. This year, there were 16 teams after two bowed out and no international competitors, however, that did open the door for some home-grown talent to participate including two-time world curling champion Kevin Koe.

“Obviously other years he’d be travelling somewhere else so we actually had a stronger field this year than we’ve ever had before,” said club manager Don Delair. “Team Koe, they had their own commentators and everything for the game. It was really good to see the high level of competition we had here on the weekend.”

Despite the draw of a big-name player like Koe, there was a limit on spectators and several other changes made in order to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines from provincial health officials.

“We actually staggered the draw times by 15 minutes so that there’d be less teams in the lobby at any given time. Plus, we had the rocks at opposite ends and alternating sheets. Just doing everything we can to keep the teams distant and apart from each other.”

It was team Jacques who won the McKee Fall Classic.

Delair said there are a few smaller bonspiels coming in November. The next big event for the curling club will be the Alberta Junior Provincial Qualifiers happening in February 2021.

 

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