THUNDER BAY – Krista McCarville’s team has a spot at the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts if it wants it, but has yet to determine whether or not they’ll be headed to the Calgary bubble.
According to the Northern Ontario Curling Association’s website, Team McCarville, which plays out of the Fort William Curling Club, is deliberating because of travel restrictions.
All defending champions who represented Northern Ontario last year at the Brier, Scotties and mixed doubles championship were offered automatic berths at nationals.
McCarville, who would be taking part in her ninth Scotties, is a teacher with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, which has placed a travel restriction on all employees due to COVID-19. Under those rules, McCarville would have to stay away from school properties for two weeks upon return from outside of Northwestern Ontario.
Thunder Bay’s Trevor Bonot has already accepted the offer to represent the region at the mixed doubles championship, also being held in Calgary.
On the men’s side, Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie will be back at the Brier.
NOCA says in Curling Canada events scheduled for the fall of 2021, where it was able to complete a 2020 championship, such as the seniors and masters, it plans to use those results to determine a representative.
Fort William Curling Club’s Team Mike Desilets will get first crack at the senior men’s championship, while Al Hackner’s squad will be offered the masters men’s berth and Team Saarimaki of Gerladton the masters women’s berth.
NOCA has cancelled playdowns in events in which Curling Canada has cancelled the corresponding 2021 nationals, including most junior events and the wheelchair championships.
