Falon Burkitt started provincials with a win. Erik Leisinger wasn't so fortunate.
The two Prince George skips are in North Vancouver for the Tim Hortons B.C. junior women's and junior men's curling championships. In her first game, played Monday afternoon, Burkitt defeated Carley Sandwith of Victoria 6-3 in nine ends. Leisinger, meanwhile, dropped a 7-5 decision to Josh Hozack, also from Victoria.
The key end for Burkitt was the fifth, where she scored two points and took a 3-2 lead. She then stole single points in each of the next three ends, which put the game out of Sandwith's reach. Sandwith did score one in the ninth but that wasn't nearly enough to justify playing the 10th.
As for Leisinger, he was in a 5-5 tie with Hozack after nine ends. With the hammer in his possession, Hozack managed to pick up a deuce in the 10th for the victory.
In games Monday night, Burkitt was on the ice against defending champion Dailene Sivertson and Leisinger was in action against Kyle Jackson. The final results weren't available at press time.
Burkitt's team includes Laine Bourassa, Alia Dallas-Petersen and Stephanie Haddad. Leisinger's rinkmates are Drew Dalziel, Logan Thideman and Robert Hough.
Today, Burkitt has games against Kesa Van Osch of Nanaimo and Jenn Gerow of Kelowna. Leisinger will throw stones against Stuart Merrifield of Victoria and Justin Nillson of Kelowna.