Canada’s top mixed curling teams will play for a national championship in La Belle Province.
The 2020 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship will be played Nov. 4-9, 2019, at Foyer des loisirs et de la culture in Saguenay, Que., it was announced today by Curling Canada.
“As a competitor, I know what a special event the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship is, and I’m very proud and excited that we will be able to host it in my hometown,” said Robert Desjardins, President of Curling Saguenay Inc., and the runner-up at the 2018 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship skipping Quebec in Swan River, Man. “Curling brings people from so many backgrounds together under one roof, and we’re looking forward to entertaining players and fans alike from across the country when they arrive in Saguenay.”
Desjardin’s wife — and lead on the 2018 Canadian Mixed Championship silver-medal team — Véronique Bouchard will be the Host Committee Co-Chair along with Jean-François Charest.
It will be the first Canadian curling championship contested in Saguenay since Alberta’s Pat Ryan captured the 1988 Brier in Chicoutimi (Saguenay was formed in 2002 after the amalgamation of the cities of Chicoutimi, Jonquière, La Baie and Laterrière).
It will be the third time Quebec has hosted the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship. Most recently, Ontario’s Cory Heggestad won the 2013 Canadian Mixed at Mount Royal; in 1990, Alberta’s Marv Wirth prevailed at Rimouski, while Saskatchewan’s Larry McGrath won the 1967 Canadian Mixed in Quebec City.
Only one Quebec team has won the Canadian Mixed — Jean-Michel Ménard skipped Quebec to victory in 2001 at Weyburn, Sask.
“There’s always excitement around the province when Quebec gets the opportunity to host a Canadian curling championship, and the Saguenay host committee is already hard at work to make the 2020 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship a success on and off the ice,” said Marc-André Robitaille, Executive-Director of Curl Quebec. “Robert and his team know what it takes to make this championship memorable for everyone, and I’m looking forward to a wonderful event next season.”
The winner of the 2020 Canadian Mixed Championship will represent Canada at the 2020 World Mixed Curling Championship (dates, location TBA by the World Curling Federation).
“There is a dedicated and passionate group of curlers and volunteers in the Saguenay region who made a very convincing pitch to Curling Canada to bring the Canadian Mixed Championship to their city,” said Maureen Miller, Chair of Curling Canada’s Board of Governors. “This is a unique event on the curling calendar, one that combines the best aspects of our sport — competition and fellowship. I’m positive Saguenay is ready to embrace this event and make the competitors and their families feel right at home.”
The Canadian Mixed Championship made its debut in Toronto in 1964 and has been won a leading 11 times by Alberta. Saskatchewan is next with 10 titles.
The 2019 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship is scheduled to get underway on Sunday at the Fort Rouge Curling Club in Winnipeg.
CBC Sports will provide live streaming coverage of the 2020 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, through to the gold-medal game.
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