DEKALB SuperSpiel Ready to Welcome the World

The DEKALB SuperSpiel Committee and their many volunteers are busy preparing to welcome the world November 20 – 23, 2015.   The Official Host Sponsors, the Town of Morris and the Rural Municipality of Morris are delighted to welcome 32 men’s teams and 32 women’s teams from across Canada and around the world to the Morris Curling Rink and the Morris arena

The DEKALB SuperSpiel is a competitive bonspiel on the World Curling Tour (WCT) and Manitoba Curling Tour (MCT) schedule.  Teams earn points in these events and based on points earn the right to play in the event that would qualify them to represent their country in the 2018 Olympics.  In Canada this is the event known as the Roar of the Rings (or the pre-qualifying event of the Road to the Rings).  Eligibilty for the qualifying events in Canada are based on dollars earned and points earned from the spiels.  These points are based on several factors including the number of teams playing, the ranking of the teams in the event and the level of International involvement.  The DEKALB SuperSpiel rates very high in all of these categories. 

Fans will be able to watch on the men’s event, Tom Brewster from Scotland, Wonderlin from Switzerland, Mabergs from Sweden, Seong from Korea, 4 teams from the USA National program as well as high ranked Canadian teams including Mike McEwen, Reid Carruthers, Kevin Koe, Mark Kean and William Lyburn.   In the Women’s division, fans can cheer on 2014 Olympic Gold Medalist, Jennifer Jones as well as many well know teams from across Canada including Shannon Kleibrink (AB), Sherry Anderson (SK) and Allison Flaxey (ON).  International teams include 6 teams from the USA National program including several olympians as well as Team Jaeggi from Switzerland and returning for a second year is Team Ogasawara from Japan.  Well known Manitoba teams include Kerri Einarson, Barb Spencer, Kristy McDonald and Cathy Overton Clapham to name a few.

The DEKALB SuperSpiel began 8 years ago with the idea of having a first rate spiel in small town Manitoba.  The first few years the event hosted 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams.  It has grown from a struggle to fill the 16 teams to last year’s expansion to 32 women’s teams and the current year’s expansion to also include 32 men’s teams.  Not only has it doubled in size, it has had a waiting list since mid summer.  Prize moneys awarded is amongst the top 5 in Canada in both men’s and women’s events outside of the Grand Slam events.  Total purse for the event is $85,000

The DEKALB SuperSpiel strives to provide “World Class Curling and Small Town Hospitality”.  The ice is prepared in Morris by Al Gitzel and in Rosenort by Greg Ewasko and is comparable to any top level curling event.  Teams have the opportunity to play on not just curling club ice but also arena ice which is an asset in preparing the teams for their provincial or national play.  Hospitality in both Rosenort and Morris is top notch too with over 150 volunteers helping with ice preparation, driving teams, accomodations, hospitality in the players’ lounge, gate keepers and the list goes on.  It is great to have so many volunteers from across Southern Manitoba helping make the DEKALB SuperSpiel an event to remember.  Volunteers come from Morris, Rosenort, St Jean, Emerson, Lowe Farm, Altona and surrounding areas.  Thanks goes to the Volunteer Sponsor, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.

An event of this magnitude doesn’t happen without great community and sponsor support.  Monsanto Canada through their DEKALB seed brand has been the title sponsor since the bonspiels inception.  Meridian Manufacturing Inc is the presenting sponsor for the women’s event and Rocky Mountain Equipment, Case IH is the presenting sponsor for the Men’s event.  Curling begins at 8:30 am on Friday, November 20^th with 6 draws on Friday and Saturday, 5 draws on Sunday beginning at 9 am.  Monday has the Championship round of play and begins at 9:30 am with the finals taking place at 4 pm.  The final game will declare the Champions to see whose names go on the DEKALB SuperSpiel trophies and who walks away with the $11,000 top payout for the men and $10,000 top payout for the women.  Come on out and enjoy the great games and “small town hospitality”.   Great media support helps make this event a success. (for more information visit the Morris Curling Club website at www.dekalb.morriscurlingclub.org or call Co-chairs Lorne & Chris Hamblin 204-712-5842 or 204-746-3330)