Curl BC has made the decision to cancel the 2021 Scotties BC Women’s Curling Championship, presented by Best Western, and the 2021 BC Men’s Curling Championship.

It was previously planned that the top BC men’s teams and top BC women’s teams would meet in Kamloops at the McArthur Island Olympic Ice from Jan. 26 to Jan. 31. The winners were due to go on to the national Scotties and Tim Hortons Brier at a hub city event in Calgary later this year.

However, with travel restrictions extended to Feb. 5, and restrictions on group sport still in place, Curl BC has no other option but to cancel the event.

This means that the 2020 BC curling championship winners will be awarded BC’s berth at the 2021 nationals. Team Brown, with Corryn Brown, Erin Pincott, Dezaray Hawes and Samantha Fisher will represent BC at the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary. And Team Laycock, with Steve Laycock, Jim Cotter, Andrew Nerpin and Rick Sawatsky, will represent BC at the Tim Hortons Brier in Calgary.

Scott Braley, Curl BC CEO, said: “The safety of our athletes and volunteers is a top priority. We were hopeful that all the efforts to bend the curve would lead to fewer cases of Covid-19 in the province and more opportunities for people to compete.

However, the numbers are still much higher than anyone wants – and it will be difficult for clubs to stay open – so the best course of action is to cancel.”

“We wish Team Brown and Team Laycock the best of luck at nationals. We know these teams will represent BC well.”

Braley added: “Although we will not be able to give everyone who wanted to take part the opportunity to compete this year, we sincerely hope you will sign up again next year.”

Curl BC would like to thank the Kamloops committee chairs Linda Bolton and Brenda Nordin and their team, as well as the City of Kamloops and all the sponsors, for all the hard work and support that has gone into preparing to stage this event.

We are also announcing the cancellation of our 2021 BC Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, which had been rescheduled for Feb. 10-14 in Chilliwack.

The winners of the 2020 BC Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, Steph Jackson-Baier and Corey Chester, will represent BC at nationals, also scheduled to take place in the “hub city” of Calgary.

“We wish Team Jackson-Baier/Chester the best of luck as well,” added Braley.