World Class Curlers Return to Cornwall for Shorty
September 5, 2019Cornwall Ontario – The world’s top curlers are coming to Cornwall in September for the 2019 AMJ Campbell Shorty Jenkins Classic.
The highly-anticipated World Curling Tour event returns to the Cornwall Curling Centre from September 11th to 15th and this year’s field is a virtual who’s who of the curling world.
Among many others, the men’s side will feature world champion and Olympic gold medallist Brad Gushue, fellow Olympic gold medallist and Canadian champ Brad Jacobs, two-time world champ Kevin Koe, and Glenn Howard, perhaps the most decorated curler in Canadian history. On the women’s side, there’s two-time world champ and Olympic gold medal winner Jennifer Jones, fellow Olympian and three-time Canadian champ Rachel Homan, U.S. champ Jamie Sinclair and Olympic bronze medallist Eve Muirhead.
And that’s just to name a few.
“It’s shaping up to be the best (Shorty tournament) ever,” said Kevin Baker of the Cornwall Curling Club. “Given the list of participants, it’s been dubbed a mini-slam by the World Curling Tour committee.”
This year’s Shorty Jenkins Classic will feature an expanded field of 49 teams – 24 men’s and 25 ladies’ – and organizers received over 90 applications from teams wanting to play in the tournament.
“It’s the first year for teams to accumulate points towards qualifying for the 2022 Winter Olympics so we are seeing increased interest,” added Mr. Baker.
There will once again be some hometown flavour to the event, with the world-ranked John Epping rink – featuring Cornwall’s Mat Camm – among the field of participating teams.
“We have the best of the best (competing in the tournament),” said Mr. Baker. “It would be akin to having the Rogers Cup tennis events in Cornwall, except that it’s curling.”
The 2019 edition of the Shorty Jenkins Classic marks the fifth year that the event has been held in Cornwall. The tournament is held at the Cornwall Curling Centre (220 Water Street East, next to the Cornwall Aquatic Centre) with the action starting on Wednesday, September 11th and the semi-finals and finals taking place on Sunday, September 15th.
“There’s no better way to get up close with all of these great teams that regularly compete on CBC, TSN and Sportsnet,” said Mr. Baker. “Watching the games live and interacting with the players and coaches is amazing.”
Ticket information
Tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased online or at the door. Day passes range from $5 to $20 while the full week pass is available for just $75.
About the Shorty
The AMJ Campbell Shorty Jenkins Curling Classic is the longest running event on the World Curling Tour. It features one of the highest combined purses. This is the 23rd year for the Shorty Jenkins Curling Classic and the fifth year being held in Cornwall. The bonspiel is held in honour of Shorty Jenkins, who is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential ice makers in the sport of curling.
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The above article was originally posted on CornwallTourism.com. Check out their website for the latest in events and tourism news.