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Curling fans in for a treat when Continental Cup arrives

The countdown is on for the 2013 Continental Cup in Penticton.

The countdown is on.

The host committee for the 2013 Penticton Continental Cup had the pleasure of attending the 2012 Continental Cup in Langley from Jan. 12 to 15. This trip will prove to be invaluable for the preparation of the 2013 Continental Cup of Curling, which will be held early next year.

Penticton, you are in for a real treat when we roll out the red carpet for the stars of curling Jan. 10 to 13, 2013. This will be the most prestigious curling event that Penticton has ever seen.

Two of the stars that have qualified for the 2013 Continental Cup are Jennifer Jones (Winnipeg) and Kevin Martin (Edmonton). These two skips are no strangers to the limelight:  Martin has won an Olympic gold medal, a silver medal, one world title and four Briers, while Jones is a four-time Canadian women’s champion (Scotties) and the 2008 women’s world champion (held in Vernon).

The Continental Cup is a tournament held annually between teams from North America against teams from the rest of the world.

Each side is represented by six teams (three women and three men) and competes using a unique points system. If you happen to be a golf fan, the format is similar to the Ryder Cup.

There are four main competitions for this four-day event: mixed doubles, singles, teams and skins. Points are awarded for the outcome of each match with a total of 400 on the line. The first team to reach 201 points is declared the winner of the Continental Cup.

The first event is the mixed doubles, which is an eight-end game with two rocks (one for each team) in play at the start of each end.

Each team consists of two sweepers and two throwers of which one man and one woman is to play each position. There are six mixed doubles matches, with six points given for a win in each match (or three points for both teams in the event of a tie after six ends).

At the start of each end, two rocks, one for each team, starts in play — one inside the house and the other guarding. Five rocks are played per team, with scoring performed as normal. One thrower must throw the first and last stones of each end, while the other thrower must deliver the three in between.

The assignment of which stones to throw by which player may be freely changed between ends, and is simply determined by who throws the first stone.

Mixed doubles games are played during the same days of competition as the team games, making up the afternoon draw. To determine the mixed doubles matchups, one captain will name a team while the other captain responds with the team that will oppose them.

If you would like to be a volunteer, the first call will be March 1, 2012.

Around the House

The Penticton Curling Club is hosting the Okanagan high school playdowns beginning Saturday and wrapping up on Sunday. Games are at 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday; 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. if necessary on Sunday. On the girls draws, the winner of Chase Secondary and Norkam Secondary will play Valleyview Secondary. South Kamloops plays Merritt Secondary. The winner of that match plays Westsyde Secondary. The boys draws has Chase Secondary facing South Kamloops, with the winner taking on Osoyoos Secondary. Norkam Secondary will face Revelstoke and Salmon Arm goes against Valleyview.

Penticton will host a one-day recreational bonspiel on Feb. 11. This will be four,  four-end games and will include lunch and dinner for $40 per person. Prizes for everyone. Spectators always welcome.

The annual Penticton Western mixed open bonspiel will be held March 2 to 4.  To sign up, call 250-492-5647.

Happy curling everyone.

Kim Kirkham is the spokesperson for the Penticton Curling Club.