Pacific International Cup - April 16-20, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008 Newsletter
TWO BC TEAMS EMERGE AS CHAMPIONS AT THE 9TH ANNUAL PIC
by Karen McDonald
After an intense four days where each team played seven games, followed by two playoff games for the leaders, two teams from BC’s Lower Mainland earned the title of Pacific International Cup (PIC) champions.
Royal City Curling Club representatives Marilou Richter, Marnie Jepsen, Debbie Jones-Walker, Dianne Gauthier and Sandra Comadina took the women’s title, after defeating Team Alaska 7-1 in the final game.
“The final score really didn’t reflect how well they were playing out there – but curling is a game of inches and things just went our way more often,” Richter said. “Alaska has been playing really well all week so we were looking forward to a challenging game.”
In fact, the silver medal performance from Alaska’s women’s team was the best-ever outcome that state has had at the PIC in its eight-year history. Vancouver Island North’s representatives from Comox Valley took the bronze medal, and Delta Thistle’s team placed fourth in the 16-team women’s field.
On the men’s side, Golden Ears Curling Club representatives Cal Fister, Garth Moore, Murray Day and Brian Williams won the men’s gold medal, after a hard-fought 5-4 victory over Vancouver Island North’s representatives from Comox Valley. Bronze and fourth place went to the teams representing Washington and Minnesota, respectively.
“Both of our playoff games today were tough, and the team really pulled together and played well,” Fister said.
The skips from both championship teams have played at the PIC before, and emphasized the unique camaraderie and friendship among teams that is not as common in curling’s competitive circles.
“When you play at a competitive level in cashspiels or playoffs, you often don’t get to know the other teams or have the fun element we had here,” Richter explained. “Everyone is so friendly with everyone else, and the organizers really provide a lot of little extras – it makes you feel like you’re at a Brier or a Scotties tournament.”
“It’s just wonderful having the chance to play with teams from other countries and parts of BC – the fellowship is really great,” Fister said. “And we get a chance to encourage them to come here more often, to our own clubs to play in other bonspiels.”
BC was represented by teams from the Lower Mainland, Prince George, Comox Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo, Cranbrook, Penticton, Summerland and Beaver Valley. This year’s PIC also hosted teams from Alaska, California, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Oregon, Texas, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Minnesota, Utah, the Yukon, and one team from Australia.
During the Saturday evening festivities, Team Australia was awarded one of the most coveted prizes of the weekend – the men’s sportsmanship award, as voted by their fellow players. California won the award from the women’s side.
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Last updated: March 24, 2009
