World’s top curlers competing in Steinbach this week

Some of the best curlers in the world are competing at a Grand Slam of Curling event in Steinbach this week. Daniel Halmarson has more.

Curling fans are hurrying hard to Steinbach this week as the southeast Manitoba city welcomes in some of the top curling teams from around the globe.

The Grand Slam of Curling’s final event of the season – the Crown Royal Players’ Championship – is taking place at the city’s Southeast Event Centre.

The top 12 men’s rinks and top 12 women’s rinks based on World Curling team standings are competing in the tournament. Some of the notable Canadian teams include Rachel Homan, Brad Jacobs, Mike McEwen, Matt Dunstone and Gimli’s own Kerri Einarson.

“We haven’t played an event in Manitoba since 2020,” Einarson told CTV News Wednesday. “So, to be able to be back in Manitoba is pretty special.”

Einarson said playing in her home province against some of the best teams around is an incredible honour.

“We have so many amazing, talented athletes here,” she explained. “It makes you a better player, and it makes you push yourself to be the best.”

The tournament marks the Grand Slam’s first full-scale event in Manitoba in eight years. Round-robin play goes through Friday with playoffs taking place over the weekend.

And while the men’s and women’s titles won’t be decided until Sunday, the tournament is already a win for Steinbach’s $75-million facility.

The Southeast Event Centre held its grand opening in August and the Players’ Championship is its biggest draw to-date. Swatzky-Koop said they’ve heard

“It’s an incredible moment for this community,” Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, Southeast Event Centre’s communications director, told CTV News. “I think that it’s a learning moment for the community. I think it’s a realization that, the world is going to start watching what we’re doing and they actually are coming.”

Robbie Doherty, a former curler turned Grand Slam of Curling broadcaster, said Steinbach’s 2,400 seat venue stacks up against some of the marquee rinks around the world and added players are taking notice.

“Every powerhouse team in curling from around the world, no matter where they’re from, they’re here this week in Steinbach,” Doherty said. “And what an opportunity for not just curling fans, but sports fans to take that in.”