Dec 21, 2015
WCT/CCT Recap: Murdoch edges Simmons in Japan at Karuizawa
Defending Brier champion Pat Simmons and his Calgary crew was the only Canadian team to travel to Japan for the Karuizawa International, but fell to David Murdoch of Scotland 4-3 in the final.
The last curling events of 2015 took place this weekend with the main one coming from Japan with the Karuizawa International.
Men's Tour
Karuizawa International from Karuizawa, Japan (Dec 17-20)
Purse: $28,775
The third annual Karuizawa International took place this past weekend in Japan with one Canadian team making the long trip overseas. Pat Simmons and his rink from Calgary looked to become the second Canadian group in a row to take the title in Japan after Kevin Koe won in 2014. Simmons alongside third John Morris, second Carter Rycroft and lead Nolan Thiessen had a very good week, making it to the championship game after downing Niklas Edin of Sweden in the semifinals 6-1. Unfortunately they were unable to win the final as Scotland's David Murdoch took the crown with a 4-3 win.
The field featured 15 rinks, mostly from Japan and Europe.
Curl Mesabi Classic from Eveleth, Minnesota (Dec 18-20)
Purse: $21, 000
Minnesota native John Shuster beat Dylan Johnston of Thunder Bay, ON 7-4 in the championship game. The 25-rink field featured teams mostly from the United States.
LELY Dumfries Challenger Series from Dumfries, Scotland (Dec 18-20)
Champions Curling Tour
$25, 000
Scotland's Bruce Mouat beat countryman Tom Brewster in the final 5-4. The 16-rink field featured teams mostly from Scotland.
Women's Tour
Karuizawa International from Karuizawa, Japan (Dec 17-20)
Purse: $28,775
Ayumi Ogasawara of Japan beat countrywoman Satsuki Fujisawa 5-4 in the final. Edmonton's Val Sweeting was the only team from Canada who participated and fell to Ji Suk Kim of South Korea, 7-2, in the quarterfinals. The 15-rink field featured teams mostly from Asia.
Curl Mesabi Classic from Eveleth, Minnesota (Dec 18-20)
Purse: $9000
Thunder Bay's Krista McCarville beat Cory Christensen 5-3 in Sunday's final. This was McCarville's third win of the WCT season. The small 10-rink field featured teams mostly from America.
Looking Ahead
Men’s Tour
Jan 1-4: U.S. Open of Curling from Blaine, Minnesota
Defending Champion: Steve Laycock
Jan 1-3: Peace River Cash Spiel from Peace River, AB
Defending Champion: New Event
Women’s Tour
Jan 1-4: U.S. Open of Curling from Blaine, Minnesota
Defending Champion: New Event