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The Westcoast Curling Classic is the most prestigious annual curling event in the Lower Mainland. It takes places October 8 – 12, 2009 at the Royal City Curling Club in New Westminster, BC, where 32 men’s teams vie for a total purse of $80,000.  The increased value of the purse and the lure of highly skilled teams and competitive games have attracted Canadian teams from coast to coast and International teams from overseas.

This weekend launches the excitement of the final run-up for teams on their quest to represent Canada in the upcoming Olympics. Eight of the twelve teams heading to the Pre-Trials are registered in the spiel. There will be many great game match-ups. Teams not preparing for the 2009 Olympic play-downs are looking to earn ranking points for positions in other cash spiels and grand slams. The International teams come for the top flight games the Canadian teams offer plus the opportunity to play on ice with similar conditions to those expected at the Olympics.

The event is sanctioned by the World Curling Tour and the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS). In a manner similar to golf and tennis, successful teams are awarded points from this event. These points accumulate towards eligibility to sanctioned world championships and facilitate the ranking for cash spiels and Grand Slam events.

There are 5 draws on Friday and Saturday, 4 draws Sunday and 3 on Monday with the final scheduled for 3pm. Event passes are on sale at the Royal City Curling Club. Prices have not increased: event passes are available at the door for $25, and daily passes for $10.