After being cancelled just 48 hours before it was scheduled to start because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Women’s Curling Championship is returning to Prince George in 2022.
“But the enthusiasm, spirit and passion of the central British Columbia city couldn’t be dampened, and as a result, there will be world-class curling in Prince George after all,” said Curling Canada in a press release.
The 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship will be contested March 19-27 at the CN Centre in Prince George, as it was announced jointly today (July 29) by Curling Canada and the World Curling Federation.
“I’m delighted to see the host committee of Prince George able to finally welcome the World Women’s Curling Championship 2022 to their community following the disappointment of the 2020 cancellation,” said World Curling Federation President Kate Caithness.
“The local organizing committee worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the 2020 edition and I have every confidence that they will be equally prepared for the 2022 championship where hopefully, if restrictions allow, we can welcome back fans to the stadium.”
Prince George will be hosting its first World Curling Federation event, and for the province of British Columbia, it will be a fourth opportunity to welcome the world’s best women’s curling teams.
In 2008 at Vernon, Canada’s Jennifer Jones came out on top; 10 years earlier, in Kamloops, Sweden’s Elisabet Gustafson won gold, and in 1986 in Kelowna, Canada’s Marilyn Bodogh captured a gold medal.
“We all have vivid memories of that week leading up to the cancellation in Prince George, and we know how much excitement there was in the city leading up to the event, so today’s announcement is particularly gratifying,” said Katherine Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Curling Canada.
“I know that Curling Canada and our partners at the World Curling Federation really wanted to make sure Prince George got its opportunity to show off to the world, and I’m positive that it will put on a championship that will be remembered by all who participate.”
“Our nation is ready to welcome the 2022 Women’s World Curling Championship curlers, coaches, families and fans to our unceded ancestral lands,” said Chief Dolleen Logan of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.
“Our members have welcomed visitors to our territory for thousands of years and the excitement of having a major sporting event hosted in Prince George never grows old. With COVID-19 now in check we look forward to Prince George hosting more large gatherings and special events such as the 2022 Women’s World Curling Championship.”
Prince George’s Mayor Lyn Hall also re-welcomed the World Women’s Curling Championship.
“If anything, we are even more thrilled to be hosting this premier event in 2022 and to be given another opportunity to showcase our community on the international stage. Thank you to the World Curling Federation and Curling Canada for recognizing that Prince George is an accomplished host city with world-class venues, volunteers, and experiences for athletes.”
Past curling events hosted in Prince George include the 2009 Road to the Roar Pre-Trials, which decided the final entries into that years Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials, were played at the CN Centre, as was the 2000 Scott Tournament of Hearts, won by B.C.’s own Kelley Law, who would then go on to win gold at the 2000 World Women’s Championship in Scotland.
Prince George also hosted the 1987 Canadian Seniors, 1979 Canadian Mixed and the 1961 Canadian Junior Men’s championships.
“Tourism Prince George is thrilled to welcome the World Curling Federation and Curling Canada back to Prince George,” said Colin Carson, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Prince George.
“To bring back the World Women’s Curling Championship will be a huge boost to local businesses, and especially tourism businesses, that have been so hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire community was looking forward to hosting this event in 2020 and I’m ecstatic that Prince George is able to welcome it back. We look forward to showcasing our community, and all its offerings, to the world.”
Organizers say tickets will go on sale soon, with details announced close to the on-sale date. Announcements on volunteer recruitment will be available soon as well.
Canada has won a leading 17 women’s world titles since 1979; Switzerland and Sweden are next at eight apiece.
The 2021 World Women’s Championship was played in a bubble in Calgary, with Switzerland’s Silvana Tirinzoni coming out on top.
