The Tracey Jones rink is down to its last chance to qualify for the B.C. Scotties Tournament of Hearts women's provincial curling championship.
Jones and her Prince George Golf and Curling Club team of Falon Burkitt, Kay-Lynn Thompson and Melinda Kotsch will be throwing stones Saturday and Sunday in Maple Ridge in the third of three playdowns for a B.C. Scotties berth. Six teams will be vying for two spots in provincials, Jan. 6-12 at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club.
Jones will play her first game Saturday at 2 p.m. against Karla Thompson of Kamloops. Other teams are skipped by Leanne Andrews of New Westminster, Lynn Noble of Qualicum, Marilou Richter of New Westminster and Heather Tyre of Kelowna.
The Jones foursome has already attended B.C. Scotties qualifiers in Lake Cowichan and Kelowna but failed to secure a berth at either event. On Dec. 1 in Kelowna, Jones was in position to advance to provincials but, in the B final, lost 8-5 to Marla Mallett of Cloverdale.
Counting the Mallett rink, eight teams have already qualified for the B.C. Scotties, including a local foursome led by Patti Knezevic. She and teammates Jen Rusnell, Kristen Fewster and Rhonda Camozzi were awarded a spot based on their top-two position within the Canadian Team Ranking System. A CTRS berth also went to Allison MacInnes of Abbotsford. Kelowna's Kelly Scott, who has won the provincial title four years in a row, received a bye to the tournament because she's the defending champion.
The other teams that will be in Prince George for the B.C. Scotties are skipped by Sarah Wark (Victoria), Kesa Van Osch (Victoria), Shawna Jensen (Victoria) and Amy Gibson (Vancouver).
Scott is a two-time Canadian champion (2006-07) and claimed the world title in 2007. In last year's provincial final, she beat Knezevic 9-6.
The winner of this season's B.C. Scotties will move on to nationals, Feb. 1-9 in Montreal.
Tickets for the B.C. Scotties Tournament of Hearts can be reserved by calling 250-563-0357, local 100 or at the PGGCC, located at 2833 Recreation Place.
