BY KEITH LACEY
The skip of the world?s No. 1 ranked
curling team can?t wait to hit the ice for what promises
to be an outstanding tournament against other world-class
competition this weekend in the City of Greater Sudbury.
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Wayne Middaugh, of Midland, is a two-time
Canadian and world champion (1993 and 1998).
Middaugh and his team of lead Doug Armstrong,
second Scott Bailey and vice-skip Graeme McCarrel, will be among
the favourites to win the Masters of Curling event that kicks off
Thursday and runs all weekend at the T.M. Davies Community Centre
in Lively.
Middaugh is the husband of former
women?s world championship skip Sherry Middaugh, who
competed with her team in Sudbury at the Scott Tournament of Hearts
three years ago.
?I?ve never curled in Sudbury
myself, but I did come up to support my wife and her team at the
Scott tournament a few years back and just had a wonderful
time,? said Middaugh. ?I know curling is a very
big sport in Northern Ontario and in Sudbury. I expect a really
great weekend with some outstanding curling.?
Middaugh is modest claiming his team
won?t be the favourites to win it all in the 16-team
competition, despite being the world?s number one ranked
team.
?The favourite definitely has to be
Kevin Martin?s rink from Edmonton,? said
Middaugh. ?Martin?s team hasn?t lost a
single event they?ve entered so far this season.
?Hopefully somebody will put an end to
that this weekend and hopefully that will be our
team.?
Martin is a two-time Brier champion and two-time
Olympian.
The world-class field includes former Brier and
world championship skips Jeff Stoughton, Greg McCauley and Kerry
Burtnyk and former Canadian champion Vic Peters. Glenn Howard is
now a skip after being a member of his brother Russ
Howard?s world championship team. Brent Pierce is now a
skip after being a member of McCauley?s 2000 world
championship team.
The Masters of Curling event is part of the
2002-2003 Pharmassist Grand Slam of Curling. The winning team will
share $25,000 from a total purse of $100,000.
The Grand Slam of Curling has attracted most of
Canada?s top teams and the competition is fierce and
curling fans are in for a real treat, said Middaugh.
Event organizer Chad McMullen, who works for IMG
in Toronto, said ticket sales have been very strong and he expects
a sold out arena for the weekend draws.
Sunday?s semi-finals will be shown
across the country on Sportsnet at 3 pm as will the championship
final at 8 pm.
?This is the first time we?ve
brought the Grand Slam event to Sudbury and if ticket sales are as
strong as we believe they will be, we?ll be looking at
bringing the event back next year at the bigger barn (Sudbury
Arena),? said McMullen.
?We?d really like to the see
the arena filled for the draws on Saturday and playoffs
Sunday.?
A weekend pass is $60. Day passes are also
available, but they are limited and curling fans should secure
their tickets as quickly as possible.
The first draw takes place Thursday morning.
There are four draws Thursday and three on Friday and Saturday
before the playoffs begin Sunday.
To purchase tickets, phone 671-3000 or visit
www.onecard.ca/SudburyGrandSlam
