Penticton awarded 2013 WFG Continental Cup

The Canadian Curling Association (CCA) and the World Curling Federation (WCF) today jointly announced that Penticton, British Columbia has been selected to stage the 2013 World Financial Group Continental Cup, presented by Monsanto. The unique four-day international curling competition, featuring six teams from North America (four from Canada, two from the United States) versus six teams representing ‘The World’ in a variety of disciplines, will be held January 10-13, 2013 at the South Okanagan Events Centre. “In conjunction with our event partners from both the United States Curling Association and the World Curling Federation, it is certainly a great opportunity to host the Continental Cup in the beautiful City of Penticton,” stated Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Curling Association. “Our site visits during the event review process clearly established that both the community and South Okanagan Events Centre are world class and we look forward to sharing the highly entertaining World Financial Group Continental Cup with the fans in the host community and all of southern British Columbia.” The 2013 World Financial Group Continental Cup will celebrate its ninth edition in Penticton. It will also be the third time British Columbia has hosted the Cup, following Chilliwack in 2006, while Langley will stage the 2012 renewal in January. Since it began in 2002 in Regina, North America holds a 4-3 edge over Team World. There were no ‘Cups’ held during the 2005-06 and 2009-10 seasons. “After the success of the 2008 Ford World Women’s Championship in Vernon, British Columbia, the World Curling Federation is delighted to be returning to the beautiful Okanagan region, to Penticton, for the World Financial Group Continental Cup in 2013,” said Kate Caithness, President of the World Curling Federation. “This is always a special event for both fans and athletes, showcasing our sport on an international stage and we look forward to working closely with the local organizing committee to help Penticton deliver a first-class curling event for the world to enjoy.” The South Okanagan Events Centre is a flexible, multi-use sports, entertainment and convention centre complex. It is a high profile destination for the sport and entertainment industry, hosting local and national sporting events and world-class concerts. Added Host Committee Chair Kim Kirkham, “We are delighted and honoured to be hosting such a world renowned event. This is a fantastic opportunity to not only showcase our great city, but also bring a line-up of world class curlers to our community. “While this will mark the first international curling event for Penticton, we are no strangers to championship curling. Penticton hosted a very successful 2008 Men’s and 2010 Women’s provincial curling championships. The Penticton Curling Club, whose members will form most of the organizing committee, is excited to showcase their sport at this level. We are delighted that the City of Penticton is partnering with us and helping to support this prestigious competition.” The Penticton Curling Club will be used as the ‘Patch’ for all of the event’s entertainment activities. The 2013 event will also mark the third year of title sponsorship by World Financial Group, which recently extended its involvement through 2014 and also became a full sub-sponsor of the CCA’s Season Of Champions, beginning with the 2011-12 season. “World Financial Group is very excited to be associated with the Continental Cup,” said Rick Williams, President, World Financial Group of Canada. “This will be our third year of title sponsorship of this unique competition. The participation of teams from around the globe parallels our reach as a global financial distributor – to help individuals and families become financially independent. “We look forward to working with the Canadian Curling Association, the World Curling Federation and the Penticton Host Committee in order to ensure that the 2013 World Financial Group Continental Cup is a very successful one.” The Continental Cup showcases many of the world’s best curlers in various disciplines during the four days – regular Team games, Mixed Doubles, Singles, Mixed Skins and Skins games. Each segment awards points for wins (or ties), with the first side to reach 201 points declared the winner. Event tickets are expected to go on sale in September of 2012. TSN, the exclusive television network for the CCA’s Season of Champions, will provide complete four-day ‘Cup’ coverage across Canada. “Monsanto is an agricultural company and we are passionate about farming. Through our day-to-day business, we actively engage with farmers in rural communities across the country and in the course of doing so, one thing we have learned is that farmers and rural communities are passionate about curling,” said Trish Jordan, Public and Industry Affairs Director with Monsanto Canada based in Winnipeg. “The Continental Cup format is unique in curling and it will give fans and the volunteers in Penticton and the surrounding area a great opportunity to see some of the stars of the sport from Canada and abroad. We look forward to a great week.” The 2012 World Financial Group Continental Cup, a joint venture of the Canadian Curling Association, United States Curling Association and the World Curling Federation, takes place January 12-15 in Langley, British Columbia. Last year, North America recorded a 298-102 victory over Team World at the World Financial Group Continental Cup in St. Albert, Alberta. North America and Team World have registered victories in alternate years since the competition began. With today’s announcement, five of the six events comprising the CCA’s 2012-13 Season of Champions (televised events in Canada) have now been finalized. The 2012 Capital One Canada Cup takes place November 28-December 2 in Moose Jaw, SK; the 2013 World Financial Group Continental Cup is January 10-13 in Penticton, BC; the M&M Meat Shops Canadian Juniors will be held January 31-February 10 in Fort McMurray, AB; the Scotties Tournament of Hearts is February 16-24 in Kingston, ON, while the Ford World Men’s Curling Championship will be in Victoria, BC, March 30-April 7. Still to be announced are the site and dates for the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier.