Curling Canada/ Michael burns photo
North America versus the World won’t be the only international action taking place during the Continental Cup in London, ON this coming January 11th-14th, 2018. Reigning world champions Canada will have to play down for a spot at the 2018 Men’s World Championship on the very same ice as well.
Canada’s choice team to secure their spot at the World Championships? None other than St. George’s Golf & Country Club’s Team Glenn Howard.
As per WCF rules, the Americas Zone only received two spots per world championship. Thanks to a challenge from Team Brazil, Team Canada must now contend in a best of five playdown for a spot in the 2018 Men’s World Championships with the other available slot being allocated to the event host United States of America.
Since the event’s conception in 1959, Canada has never failed to qualify.
David Mathers, second for Glenn Howard, is relishing the opportunity to wear the maple leaf: “I’ve never represented Canada before, in any sport or at any level” said Mathers. “It’s an exciting first which we’ll be taking very seriously.”
“We play to win every time we take the ice and having Glenn’s international experience in our arsenal helps a ton” Mathers continued. “We’re confident and we’re ready. We know the stakes – we’ll be securing a spot for Canada.”
Brazil challenged the USA last season in a similar situation and was swept in three straight matches by John Shuster’s American squad. The Brazilian challengers remains winless in four previous World Championship zone challenges in 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2017.
The draw schedule for the Zone Challenge is as follows:
- Game 1, Thursday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
- Game 2, Friday, Jan. 12, 2:30 p.m.
- Game 3, Friday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m.
- Game 4 (if necessary), Saturday, Jan. 13, 2:30 p.m.
- Game 5 (if necessary), Saturday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m.
Best of luck to our team Canada reps!
