OUT OF THE HACK: Viterra berth on the line for Brandon Men’s Bonspiel winner

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/12/2015 (3747 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s just something that fascinates me about history, especially eastern European and post-colonial African history.

Now I know you don’t want to be lectured about the Boer War (1899-1902), which took place in South Africa and marked the first time Canada officially sent troops to an overseas war, but let’s just say I could talk about Lord Salisbury’s finest hours for hours on end. That and the Scramble for Africa that took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

And if you allow me to enlighten you over coffee about my vast eastern European historical knowledge, I will not forget to mention Czarist Russia and the memory of Rasputin, who was assassinated 100 years ago Wednesday.

Speaking of relevant anniversaries, the 125th edition of the Brandon Men’s Bonspiel takes place Jan. 7-10 and there’s much at stake.

Five berths to the Viterra Championship are still up for grabs. Four will be awarded during the Manitoba Open, which takes place at several Winnipeg curling clubs from Jan. 14 to 18, but one will be awarded to the competitive division winner of the Brandon Men’s Bonspiel.

The organizing committee expects 14 teams will compete for a trip to Selkirk (Feb. 10-14). The deadline to enter the field — up to 16 teams can curl — is today.

Among the teams in the field are Brandon’s own Steve Irwin and Terry McNamee, both of whom have already qualified for the Viterra Championship. Duane Lang, Neepawa’s Jerry Chudley, Carberry’s Tyler Waterhouse and Pilot Mound’s Curtis McCannell are also among the teams competing in the bonspiel, looking to secure a spot in Selkirk. Chudley was at provincials in Brandon one year ago, but was eliminated early in the event.

McCannell was also at provincials in 2015, winning his first draw before losing his next two and bowing out of the event. He’s hungry to get back, but knows it will not be easy to run the table at the bonspiel.

“It’s going to be really tough because there’s going to be lots of good teams there that haven’t been there before,” McCannell said.

“We were pretty successful in the Brandon spiel last year before losing in the final. We had earned a berth to provincials already so we were pretty loose.”

He will try to do one better next week.

However, before the men’s bonspiel takes to the ice, the Brandon Masters Men’s Bonspiel takes place at the Brandon and Riverview clubs from Jan. 4 to 6.

The two-tier event features 46 teams, 12 of which are in the competitive division vying for a berth into the provincial championship in Winnipeg (March 9-14).

Souris’ Doug Armour, who won the Masters Superleague title and has already earned a berth to provincials, is among 12 teams in the field. But so too is Murray Warren’s team from Deloraine and Eric Rawlings’ team from Hamiota.

The 64-year-old Rawlings earned a trip to provincials via the Brandon masters bonspiel last year and is hoping to replicate the feat.

“I like the way we have curled so far this season,” Rawlings said. “We’ve had a fairly good year and have won a few games against some good teams. We’ve also lost a few close ones.”

The teams will play four round-robin games and the top four will advance to the semifinals at 9 a.m. on Jan. 6, with the final starting at 1 p.m.

“We just have to win as many games as possible — likely three of our four — to have a chance,” Rawlings added.

Ron Anderson and Murray Solomon of Shoal Lake, Murray Duncan of Virden and a quartet of Brandon teams are also in the field.

EXTRA ENDS: The 125th annual Brandon men’s bonspiel takes place Jan. 7-10. The entry fee for the recreation division is $200. Contact Tyler Thompson at tyler.thompson@fcc.ca or 204-724-4706. The cost for the competitive division is $425. Contact Travis Taylor at travistaylor@wcgwave.ca or 204-761-7129. The entry deadline for both events is today … The 80th Brandon Ladies’ Bonspiel will run from Jan. 15 to 17. The registration fee is $220 per side. For more information on the event, contact Karen Johnston at karenj@mymts.net or 204-725-1247. The entry deadline is Jan. 10 … Rivers Curling Club is hosting a men’s bonspiel from Jan. 15-17, and a ladies bonspiel from Jan. 22-24. Cost is $140 per men’s team and $120 per women’s team. Call Alan MacDonald at 204-328-5355 … The 35th annual Silver Bells Bonspiel, open to women ages 60-plus, takes place Feb. 10-11. Cost is $160 per team and the closing date for entries is Jan. 8. Call June at 204-728-7482 … The Brandon Curling Club is holding a mixed doubles “mini league” on Wednesdays in February. The cost is $25 per person. Call Tanya at 204-726-3560.

Nathan Liewicki is the Brandon Sun’s curling reporter.

» nliewicki@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @liewicks