BACKGROUNDER the 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts In

BACKGROUNDER The 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Charlottetown, February 19 – 27, will mark the thirtieth anniversary of Kruger Products sponsorship of the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship. In 2012, the Scotties will return to Red Deer, Alberta. Following is a list of past host cities: Regina, Saskatchewan – 1982, 1998, 2008 Prince George, British Columbia – 1983, 2000 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island – 1984, 1999, 2011 Winnipeg, Manitoba - 1985 London, Ontario – 1986, 2006 Lethbridge, Alberta – 1987, 2007 Fredericton, New Brunswick - 1988 Kelowna, British Columbia - 1989 Ottawa, Ontario - 1990 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - 1991 Halifax, Nova Scotia - 1992 Brandon, Manitoba – 1993, 2002 Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario – 1994, 2003 Calgary, Alberta - 1995 Thunder Bay, Ontario - 1996 Vancouver, British Columbia – 1997 Sault Ste. Marie- 2010 Sudbury, Ontario – 2001 Red Deer, Alberta – 2004 St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador – 2005 Victoria, British Columbia - 2009 Kruger Products L.P., a division of Kruger Inc., is the leading manufacturer of Consumer and Away From Home paper products in Canada. The Kruger name is identified with leading bathroom tissue, paper towels, facial tissue and paper napkin brands in Canada. Canada long ago distinguished itself as the number one curling nation. It’s acknowledged throughout the world that nowhere is competition as keen and the path to the top so strewn with obstacles as in Canada. At the 1988 Winter Olympics held in Calgary, curling was a demonstration sport. The Canadian Women's team, skipped by Vancouver's Linda Moore, the 1985 World Champions, captured the gold medal. Julie Sutton's team from Victoria, the winner of the 1991 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, represented Canada at the 1992 Winter Olympics in France. They captured a bronze medal in the demonstration sport of curling. At the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, curling was finally accepted as a full medal sport and Regina’s Sandra Schmirler, the winner of the 1997 Scotties Tournament of Hearts and the reigning world champion captured gold. Kelley Law’s team from BC, 1 2000 Canadian and World Champions, claimed bronze medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, Shannon Kleibrink’s team captured a bronze medal at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy, and Cheryl Bernard’s team took silver at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. The first women's international championship was held in 1979. Canadian women have an enviable record in international competition taking medals in all but four world championships since its inception. World champions from Canada include: Marj Mitchell - 1980, Connie Laliberte - 1984, Linda Moore - 1985, Marilyn Bodogh (nee Darte) - 1986 and 1996, Pat Sanders - 1987, Heather Houston – 1989, Sandra Peterson/Schmirler - 1993, 1994 and 1997, Kelley Law in 2000, Colleen Jones in 2001 and 2004, Kelly Scott in 2007 and Jennifer Jones in 2008. The official Scotties Tournament of Hearts trophy was specially designed in silver with four heart-shaped columns of varying heights rising from a teak base. The hearts are an integral part of the official logo. Four hearts have been joined together to symbolize the four members of the curling team and the camaraderie that exists between team members, a strong bond that distinguishes this sport. Awards presented at the Scotties include Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, First and Second Team All Star Awards, and the Shot of the Week Award. Two special awards were created in the memory of two very special individuals who passed away in the year 2000. The Sandra Schmirler MVP Award is presented to the top curler in the playoffs of Scotties Tournament of Hearts in memory of Sandra who died of cancer at age 36 after winning three Canadian and World titles and Canada’s first Olympic Gold Medal in curling. The Joan Mead Builders Award recognizes the contributions of someone other than a curler to the sport of curling. Joan Mead was the producer of curling at CBC until her sudden death. Joan was instrumental in many of the changes to coverage of the sport that increased viewer interest, including placing mikes on the competitors so that the audience could listen to their conversations. In addition, the Sportsmanship Award goes to the curler who best embodies the spirit of curling. The Award is named The Marj Mitchell Award in perpetuity in remembrance of the World Champion curler and in recognition of her contribution to the sport of curling. Marj died of cancer at the age of 35. The 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Kruger Products sponsorship with a return to Charlottetown for the third time in the event’s history. Games will be played in the Charlottetown Civic Centre, from February 19 – 27 with draws broadcast on TSN. The enthusiastic local committee, chaired by Kim Dolan, is looking forward to welcoming curling enthusiasts to Charlottetown. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to chair what I promise will be a very enthusiastic and committed group of volunteers,” said Dolan. “We will use our experience in hosting the Scotties in 1984 and again in 1999 to stage what we promise will be a unique and memorable experience for curlers and fans.” 2.

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