There is perhaps no group at the national level of curling that has suffered the brunt of cancellations and postponements more than the U18 category.
For the third year running, Curling Canada announced that the Canadian U18 Curling Championships wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be happening as originally scheduled. This yearSA国际影视传媒檚 event was scheduled to take place in Timmins, Ont., from Feb. 6 to 11 but the plug was pulled last week.
In making the decision, Curling Canada stated that SA国际影视传媒淪A国际影视传媒� ongoing uncertainty related to the Covid-19 pandemic SA国际影视传媒A国际影视传媒� led to the national body trying to find alternate dates and a new host city as there are no more available dates in Timmins in which to host it this year. Timmins will be the host city for the 2023 edition, which is scheduled to take place on the same dates as this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 championships.
Curling Canada also stated that itSA国际影视传媒檚 continuing to consult with local, regional and national health authorities in preparation for the remainder of its 2021-22 championship events.
News of the postponement did not surprise Tara Naugler, who was set to coach the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 boys entry of Adam Naugler, Jullian Bowling, David Dragon and Tasir Bhuiyan from the Yellowknife Curling Centre.
SA国际影视传媒淚 was anticipating that there would be an announcement about it so itSA国际影视传媒檚 not a total shock to me or the parents,SA国际影视传媒� Tara said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 disappointing that itSA国际影视传媒檚 happened for the third time but itSA国际影视传媒檚 happening around the world.SA国际影视传媒�
The key word to remember is that itSA国际影视传媒檚 a postponement and not a cancellation, she added.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 better than hearing that itSA国际影视传媒檚 cancelled, but weSA国际影视传媒檙e just going with the flow,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 nothing we can do to control it so weSA国际影视传媒檙e just taking things day by day.SA国际影视传媒�
Three-quarters of the boys outfit was in Saskatoon for the Curling Canada World Junior Qualifier this past November, which was held in lieu of no national junior championship in 2021. That was to satisfy the criteria of Canada naming male and female teams for the World Junior Curling Championships later this year.
Tara said that was a short excursion but it was something, at least.
SA国际影视传媒淲e were fortunate to play in the qualifier in Saskatoon so we did get the chance to go out and play this season,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have a lot of time to prepare for that but we felt we would be better prepared for the U18s.SA国际影视传媒�
Adam Naugler, who didnSA国际影视传媒檛 play in Saskatoon, returned from school over the holidays to practice with the team and prepare for Timmins, she added, but that preparation has taken a turn.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e going back to our off-ice activities again,SA国际影视传媒� Tara said. SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檒l have some strategy sessions and I know they were planning on watching some of the provincial playdowns on TV. TheySA国际影视传媒檒l do their best to exercise at home and stay focused until we can get back out on the ice.SA国际影视传媒�
The soonest theySA国际影视传媒檒l be able to get back out on the ice is Jan. 22, which is when the current city order on the closure of facilities is set to expire, though that could be extended, depending on the Covid situation.
If the U18 nationals donSA国际影视传媒檛 work out, Tara said thereSA国际影视传媒檚 one other option.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e had a talk with the boys and we may go to a bonspiel in northern Alberta weSA国际影视传媒檝e had our eye on,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 if things donSA国际影视传媒檛 align and nationals donSA国际影视传媒檛 happen.SA国际影视传媒�
