The National team for Chinese Taipei, led by skipper Randie Shen, dethroned the reigning champions of the past four Gibsons bonspiels last weekend.
“They are both very good teams – it was going to take a team like Shen to win,” said Juanita Wannamaker, organizer of the Gibsons Curling Club’s largest annual bonspiel. “It was very interesting to watch. It was very well played.”
While some team members had competed before, this was the first time the entire National team, which is based out of Royal City Curling Club in New Westminster, appeared at the bonspiel, Wannamaker said. The Shen rink beat the Meyer rink, skipped by Cal Fister in the A event.
The bonspiel, which took place last weekend, drew 22 teams, half of which are from the Sunshine Coast.
A local team, the Campbell Rink, took first place in the B event. Glenn Campbell was skipper, third was Ken Johnson, second was Rod Hickman and the lead was Rob VanBemmel. They curled against the Ed Hill rink, comprising Shane Dunlop as second, John Pritchard, Manfred Hartman and Hill.
Two off-Coast teams competed in the C event, which was won by the Harrison rink, skipped by Tom Morrison from Coquitlam. They beat the Berry rink, from West Vancouver.
Friends and families from local competitors injected the atmosphere with positive energy, said Wannamaker, who thanked the tireless volunteers who assisted with the event, including the women curlers who prepared homemade chili and baked buns. Curlers were also treated to the live music of local talent Jim Taylor on Saturday night.
“Most of the teams come for fun and the curling is something they do while they’re here,” Wannamaker said. “A few come and it’s important they curl well. Overall the feeling is everybody just wants to have a good time.”
Those over the age of 60 caught with the curling bug can sign up for the masters’ bonspiel, set for March. More information can be found at the gibsons
curlingclub.com.
And for those curious about the sport, the club is hosting “survivor curling” on Feb. 22 to celebrate National Curling Day. Contact the club for more details.
