Brad Gushue 'disappointed' at low Tankard turnout
Curler Brad Gushue is disappointed that the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Men's Curling Championship has such a low turnout as his team looks at hopefully making it to the Brier later this month.
The provincial championship, also known as the Tankard, is being held in Labrador City this week, but only two teams are competing.
The high cost of travelling to Labrador, which is beyond what many teams are able to play to travel off of Newfoundland, is being blamed for the low turnout.
Limited competition
Brad Gushue, whose team is widely expected to win, is sad to see such a small pool competing the provincial tankard.
The gold medal-winning curler would like to see a more robust tournament, in the interest giving different teams from around the province more exposure playing against each other.
"It's a little disappointing," he said.
"There's a lot of really good teams around St. John's and around the province."
Gushue said that for his crew, the Tankard is a great chance to hone their skills against a variety of different players as they look towards the Brier.
With this week's two-team competition, that experience will be limited to one series against a single team.
"We're going to have a six-week stretch with only playing that three out of five," he said.
"We can't have two-team provincials, not when there's so many good teams in the province. Competition is how you get better."
An economic reality
Gushue agrees with the notion that it is simply too expensive for teams from around Newfoundland to make it to Labrador City.
"Economics have to play a part at some point," he said.
"I really don't have the solution, but I'm definitely willing to be part of a discussion to find that solution."
If Gushue's team wins the provincial Tankard this week, it will head to the Tim Horton's Brier in Calgary on Feb 27.
The winner of the Brier gets to represent Canada at the World Championships later in the year.