Teams vie for honours at national curling championships
CURLERS took aim at securing a national title in Naseby at the weekend.
Three women’s and six men’s teams competed in the New Zealand National Curling Championships, which was hosted by the Naseby Indoor Curling Rink over three days from Friday.
The women’s tournament was won by Bridget Becker, Natalie Thurlow and Abby Pyle, all of the Maniototo, and Eloise Pointon, of Wellington.
The men’s tournament was won by Sean Becker, of Patearoa, Scott Becker, of Christchurch, Warren Dobson, of Ranfurly, and Hamish Walker, of Kyeburn.
It was Bridget Becker’s eighth New Zealand title and Sean Becker’s 10th.
New Zealand Curling media officer Ian Ford said while the majority of competitors hailed from Central Otago, some had travelled from as far away as Auckland and Wellington.
The teams were all selfselected.
Each was aiming to claim first place in its respective category, but there was more than a national title up for grabs.
Selectors were on site to pick a fiveman New Zealand team for the PacificAsia Curling Championships taking place at South Korea’s Gangneung Curling Centre — the Olympic Winter Games venue — in early November.