Government of Canada Supports the 2011 Continental Cup of Curling

ST. ALBERT, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Jan. 13, 2011) - The Canadian Curling Association (CCA) will be able to count on the support of the Government of Canada again this year to host the 2011 World Financial Group Continental Cup, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), announced today.

"Our Government is very proud to support the 2011 World Financial Group Continental Cup," said Minister of State Lunn. "This is an exciting event that brings together the very best curlers from Canada and around the world. We wish all the best for a great competition and great time in St. Albert. Hosting international events such as this one has positive economic and social impacts for Canadians and their communities and surely benefits our Canadian athletes and the sport community."

"The CCA is grateful for the financial support provided by the Government of Canada, and we sincerely appreciate the partnership we share with Sport Canada," said Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Curling Association. "The Continental Cup provides an excellent opportunity for the best curlers in the world to compete in this uniquely formatted event, provides great exposure to the sport of curling, and makes a significant economic impact on the local community. We look forward to hosting an exciting competition."

The unique international curling competition, featuring Team North America against Team World, will take place from January 13 to 16 at the Servus Credit Union Place in St. Albert, Alberta. The competition involves 12 teams (three men's and three women's for both Team World and Team North America) in a four-day event, featuring regular team curling, mixed doubles, singles, mixed skins, and skins games. Each segment awards points for wins (or ties), with the first side to reach 200 points declared the winner. The 2011 event will mark the seventh edition of the Cup, which began in 2002 in Regina and has been compared to golf's Ryder Cup. Currently, Team North America and Team World are tied at three wins each.

The Canadian Curling Association is the governing body for curling in Canada, conducting eight national curling championship events for the approximately 15,000 competitive curlers from all provinces and territories.

The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in Canada and supports participation and excellence from the playground to the podium. A contribution of $50,000 was provided to the Curling Association of Canada through Sport Canada's Hosting Program.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)