PCCC2023 Preview

 #BetweenTheSheets: Pan Continental Curling Championship Preview

World championship tickets are on the ice in Kelowna 

"Only those who risk going too far

can find out how far one can go"

- T.S. Eliot

The British poet, playwright and publisher may have been foreshadowing the growth of curling around the world.

For many nations competing at the upcoming Pan Continental Curling Championships, there will be some risks.

Some may be stepping on world competitive ice for the first time. And that can be risky and scary.

Some have dreams of competing at upcoming world championships.

And some have aspirations of becoming the best in the world.

Regardless of competing in an A Division or B Division, each team will have risk in stepping on the ice.

Whether it is to challenge themselves or to #growthesport for the nation on their back or live up to high expectations of themselves, teams will be pushing themselves this week in Kelowna.

And, in doing so, we will find out just how far they can go.

One slide out of the hack at a time during a grueling week of continental curling action.

The Pan Continental Curling Championships will make their sophomore appearance in 2023 after a debut last year in Calgary.

And before we slide out of the hack with the preview, lets take a moment to check out the event logo.

Last year's logo captured the Calgary skyline with the Calgary Tower.

This year we see a tribute to the environmental backdrop serving as the host location in British Columbia. The bear shadow on the rock is a nice touch. And the colours and motif support the Indigenous relationship of the land on which the competition will be played.

I still wish there would be a short story published from World Curling Federation on how they designed the event logo and who designed it. Just for curiosity sake if nothing else.

Back to the event itself.

This event serves as not only a continental championship but, and perhaps more importantly, as the world championship qualifier for nations within the Pacific-Asia and America's regions.

With this season serving as the opening year towards Olympic qualification, there is added pressure on the nations competing.

If a nation wants to make it to Italy in 2026, they need to start with world championship appearances in 2024.

Failing to qualify for a world championship puts your home nation behind the eight-ball.

And it might be impossible to catch up, even after one year.

For those nations competing in the B Division, they are already behind the front runners.

If they want to make it to the Olympic field, they need to win the B Division, earn promotion to next year's A Division, qualify for the 2025 world championships and, probably, still need to some help along the way from other nations faltering.

We see you China. It is going to be a long road to Italy for you!

But welcome back to the world of international curling at least.

This event is not all about risk and pressure and stress though. It is also about growth and excitement.

Last year we saw Guyana and Chinese Taipei make their mark in winning the B Division. They will be competing in the A Division this year.

This year we welcome Philippines into the curling family with both men's and women's teams making their debuts in the B Division.

How about Jamaica? Remember Cool Runnings? Well perhaps we see a female version come to life on another ice surface sport? The Reggae Girls will also make their debut in the B Division.

As the sport continues to grow internationally, World Curling Federation needs to provide opportunities for nations to compete.

The establishment of the Pan Continental Curling Championships follows the success of the European Curling Championships model.

There are A and B Divisions. There is relegation and promotion. There is opportunity to grow. There are opportunities for success and continental supremacy.

It is the crux of sport. Winners. Losers. Joy. Heartbreak.

And with a touch of growth, enthusiasm and hope for the future.

The wildcard factor in the entire competition will be the ice surface. This competition is not taking place inside an arena but rather the 12-sheet club ice at the Kelowna Curling Club.

Could this be an advantage to those non-Grand Slam of Curling teams who do not regularly compete on club ice?

Could it be a deciding factor or "equal playing field" opportunity for those other nations?

Kelowna, the world will be watching.

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Pan Continental Curling Championships!!

#PCCC2023 Preview

Kelowna, B.C., Canada

2022 Champions: A Division - Canada (men) and Japan (women), B Division - Guyana (men) and Chinese Taipei (women)

Men - A Division

Nations: Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Guyana, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, USA

Format: 8 nation RR with Top 4 playoff qualifiers. Top 5 placement qualify for the World Men's Curling Championship. Last place nation relegated to PCCC 2024 B Division.

#Fav: Canada

Team Gushue returns to represent the Maple Leaf on home ice. And they will attempt to #DefendTheIce from their championship win here last year.

This year will feature a bit extra pressure of course as Canada is not handed an auto spot in the world championship field. This year's men's championship will be held in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

Last year, Gushue was competed for bragging rights more than anything.

This year he will be competing to ensure Canada has a spot on the world championship ice.

Ok, not really a big concern but it does add a new element and pressure, even if very minor.

We have not really seen the full package Team Gushue this season either.

They arrive in Kelowna off a SF appearance at the Tour Challenge last weekend.

They reached a QF in their season opener event and the SF run at the PointsBet.

But they are a modest 10-5 on the season. A bit surprising for the defending Canadian champs.

Of course we say this with a grain of salt as expectations of positive results are just very high with a team like Gushue and their resume.

Last year they lost their opening game to USA and then rattled off 8 straight to win gold.

Will someone trip them up in the RR again this year? If so, who? 

Or will they find their sliders and dominate the competition?

#TeamUpset: Guyana

Well that was a quick ascend for the tiny South American nation.

Last year Guyana competed in the B Division. They posted a 5-2 RR record, good enough to qualify as the #4 seed, and knocked off #1 seed Hong Kong in the SF and #3 seed India in the final.

And they did so with 3 players.

Fast forward to this season and Ray Husain is ready to rock in the A Division.

Husain has competed at a few tour events this seasons as lead-up preparation for this event.

And while they may be 1-10 on the season, getting competitive ice time in is crucial.

Guyana may not be a threat to reach the playoffs or qualify for the world championship but they are here to compete and try to stay in the A Division for another season.

Can they surprise 1 or 2 teams and pick up the wins needed to avoid relegation?

#W2W4: Five Alive...For Whom?

Expectations heading into the event are the Big 4 will remain in control: Canada, USA, Japan, Korea.

If so, that once again leaves the fifth and final ticket up for grabs from the rest of the field.

Last year New Zealand made #HIStory by qualifying for only their second world championship.

We know the story of Team Hood by now, with the move to Calgary and getting more ice time in on tour and training in preparation for competing in Kelowna.

We saw Australia enter a tour event as a tune-up as well, reaching the SF.

Those two nations should be considered the favs to fight it out for the final ticket...and they play one another in the opening draw for the second consecutive year.

But also keep your eyes on whether either of them can try to make the leap into playoff consideration.

Is Korea's Team Park vulnerable? They are 1-7 in their last 2 tour events.

Could one of the Oceania teams not only secure a ticket to the world championship but steal a playoff spot from their Asian counterparts?

#PopcornMatch:

Australia vs. New Zealand - Draw 1: This game started the competition last year and will do so again this year. Last year it was the difference maker for the final world championship ticket. Will the rivalry game prove to be the difference maker again this year?

Canada vs. USA - Draw 3: Similar to the Oceania rivalry, anytime we get Canada vs. USA on ice it is a rivalry game. USA won last year's RR game but settled for bronze overall.

Chinese Taipei vs. Guyana - Draw 6: Could this game be the decider on who survives to the 2024 A Division and who is relegated to B Division?

New Zealand vs. Korea - Draw 6: If Korea is vulnerable to giving up a playoff spot, this is the game to find out. Plus, should the Kiwi's lose the opener to Australia, this game could be their only opportunity to get back into the world championship discussion.

Canada vs. Guyana - Draw 7: Welcome to the A Division, Guyana! The expectation is this will not be a close game but these are the games up and coming nations dream about having while developing their program. Husain gets to take on Gushue on WCF ice at a major international competition. How cool will that be, regardless of the result?!

Projected Standings: 1. Canada  2. USA  3. Japan  4. New Zealand  5. Korea  6. Australia  7. Chinese Taipei  8. Guyana

#WMCC2024 Qualifiers: Canada, USA, Japan, New Zealand, Korea

Relegated #PCCC 2024 B-Division: Guyana

#PCCC 2023 Playoff Qualifiers: Canada, USA, Japan, New Zealand

#PCCC 2023 A Division Bronze Medal Game: Japan (Team Yanagisawa) def. New Zealand (Team Hood)

#PCCC 2023 A Division Championship: Canada (Team Gushue) def. USA (Team Dropkin)

Women - A Division

Nations: Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, USA

Format: 8 nation RR with Top 4 playoff qualifiers. Playoff bracket will be #1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3. Top 4 placement qualify for the World Women's Curling Championship (minus Canada who qualify as host). Bottom nation relegated to PCCC 2024 B Division.

#Fav: Korea

This may be an unpopular opinion but Korea's Team Gim should be considered the #Fav heading into the competition.

Canada's Team Einarson is ranked higher (#2) in comparison to Gim (#4) but Gim has played alot more curling this season and has produced a stronger season resume.

The Korean champions are 39-10 on the season, including a tour title at the Autumn Gold and the QF result at last weekend's opening #gsoc event, The Tour Challenge.

In October alone, they are 16-3 overall with a tour title and 2 QF finishes.

And while they have yet to face Einarson this season, they did just defeat USA's Team Peterson and Japan's Team Fujisawa at the slam last weekend.

#TeamUpset: Chinese Taipei and Mexico

With Kazakhstan withdrawing from the competition due to travel difficulties, both finalists from the 2022 B Division earned promotion.

Chinese Taipei defeated Mexico for B Division gold in an extra end suspenseful game last year.

Now both have the opportunity to renew a new rivalry with extra incentive.

Remember, only 1 nation will be relegated this year. Both B Division finalists from a year ago are competing here.

At least 1 of them will remain in A Division for 2024.

That is HUGE for both nations. #growthesport

Mexico went 0-3 against Chinese Taipei last year, losing both RR games and the final. Can they gain their revenge in sending them back to B Division in 2024?

Or will Chinese Taipei continue their dominance over Mexico and send the silver medal winners back to B Division?

#W2W4: WWCC 2024 Tickets

With the 2024 World Women's Curling Championships taking place in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada has little pressure on them this week.

Canada has the auto berth as the host nation so Team Einarson gets to solely focus on upping the colour of their medal won last year (bronze).

But don't think she is just playing for national pride either. Einarson has yet to reach an international final. She won bronze here last year. She won world championship bronze in 2022 and 2023.

The team is playing for a lot more on a personal level too.

For the other teams, pressure on in trying to secure one of the tickets for their nation.

4 spots. 7 nations.

Korea, Japan and USA should be essential "locks" for 3 of those 4 spots.

Chinese Taipei and Mexico are coming up from B Division and may still be a few years away from truly competing for a world championship ticket.

This leaves Australia and New Zealand to face off for 1 ticket. The same storyline as last year. And the same, potential, storyline for the men's competition.

New Zealand made #HERstory last year in qualifying for their first-ever world championship.

Can they do so once again?

Or can Australia make #HERstory of their own and qualify for their first-ever world championship?

That's right, Australia's women have never competed at a world championship either.

Either way, #HERstory of some kind will be made this week.

#PopcornMatch:

Canada vs. Japan - Draw 2: The defending champs (Team Fujisawa) vs. the 2022 bronze medal winners (Team Einarson). Who doesn't want to see this game? They split the results last year with Einarson winning the RR game but Fujisawa winning the SF.

Canada vs. USA - Draw 5: The Americans (Team Peterson) defeated Canada in the RR last year but Einarson earned revenge in the rematch to win bronze.

Japan vs. Korea - Draw 5: Bring on another rivalry game in Draw 5, this time from Asia with Team Fujisawa vs. Team Gim.

Chinese Taipei vs. Mexico - Draw 6: Could this game decide who remains in A Division for 2024 and who is relegated to B Division?

Australia vs. New Zealand - Draw 6: Could this game decide who advances to the world championship and who stays home?

Projected Standings: 1. Canada  2. Korea  3. Japan  4. USA  5. New Zealand  6. Australia  7. Chinese Taipei  8. Mexico

#WWCC2024 Qualifiers: Canada (as host), Korea, Japan, USA, New Zealand

Relegated #PCCC 2024 B-Division: Mexico

#PCCC 2023 Playoff Qualifiers: Canada, Korea, Japan, USA

#PCCC 2023 A Division Bronze Medal Game: Japan (Team Fujisawa) def. USA (Team Peterson)

#PCCC 2023 A Division Championship: Korea (Team Gim) def. Canada (Team Einarson)

Men - B Division

Nations: Brazil, China, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Philippines, Saudi Arabia

Format: 8 nation RR with Top 4 playoff qualifiers. Playoff bracket will be #1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3. Winner of final earns promotion to PCCC 2024 A Division.

#Fav: China

Welcome back China.

Probably not a statement the nations competing in B Division will be saying this week. Do not expect a huge welcome back party.

China will be the favourite to win the B Division and earn promotion to 2024 A Division.

The experience factor alone will put China ahead of the pack, skipped by 2022 Olympian and 4-time world championship attendee Zou Qiang.

Team Zou has been competing at tour events since late September as well, including a QF appearance a few weeks ago in Airdrie.

Zou may only be 7-12 on the season but competing in 4 tour events to tune-up for this event could be the wildcard factor in their favour.

The road to the Olympics is going to be a tough one for Chinese curling but it all starts this week in Kelowna.

#TeamUpset: Philippines

We welcome the return of one Asian nation and celebrate the debut of another.

Philippines will be making their World Curling Federation international debut this week in Kelowna.

But do not let the nation name fool you into thinking this team cannot compete for the A Division promotion.

Philippines is being led by the Pfister brothers: Marc and Enrico. The Pfister boys used to curl out of Switzerland and have competed in 3 world championships (2015, 2016, 2018).

They have also competed in 3 #gsoc events: 2015 Tour Challenge, 2015 National, 2015 Canadian Open.

Marc also competed at the 2018 Champions Cup.

This season, the new look team has competed in 1 tour event. They went 5-1 at the Prague Open in early October, losing the championship final.

This is not your every day, new the ice, debut curling nation competing folks.

Do not be surprised is Philippines makes their debut and finds themselves competing for promotion in the B Division gold medal game.

#W2W4: Wide Open Field

The experience factor leads to China and Philippines based on the lineup.

But do not undersell India, last year's B Division runner-up.

Or Hong Kong, who won the RR portion last year and ended up winning a bronze medal.

Brazil tasted A Division status at last year's inaugural event but was relegated to B Division this year. This year Brazil will field a new team for the competition so it will be interesting to see how they do in their quest to return to the top flight.

Mexico's men will make their debut this year as well, looking to follow in the success of the women's program who earned a promotion spot to A Division this year.

While the nations competing here are not fighting for world championship tickets, they are fighting for an A Division promotion.

8 nations. 1 spot.

Only the gold medal winner earns the promotion, meaning every game matters.

#PopcornMatch:

Mexico vs. Philippines - Draw 1: The debut nations face off right out of the gate. The winner will make #HIStory with their first W.

China vs. Hong Kong - Draw 1: Jason Chang will be back skipping Hong Kong and will be looking for revenge after falling short in last year's B Division playoffs. And he starts against Asian rival nation China and a very experienced skip. This game WILL decide playoff positions.

Hong Kong vs. Philippines - Draw 3: If China is to run the RR table, the winner of this game could avoid them in the SF, creating an "easier" path to the B Division final. OR could this game be a preview of said SF game?

Projected Standings: 1. China  2. Philippines  3. Hong Kong  4. India  5. Brazil  6. Saudi Arabia  7. Mexico  8. Kenya

#PCCC 2023 Playoff Qualifiers: China, Philippines, Hong Kong, India

#PCCC 2023 B Division Bronze Medal Game: Hong Kong (Team Chang) def. India (Team Raju)

#PCCC 2023 B Division Championship / Promotion to #PCCC 2024 A Division: Philippines (Team Pfister) def. China (Team Zou)

Women - B Division

Nations: Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, Philippines 

Format: 6 nation RR with Top 4 playoff qualifiers. Playoff bracket will be #1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3. Winner of final earns promotion to PCCC 2024 A Division.

#Fav: China

China is #Fav for the men's B Division. China is OVERWHELMING #Fav for the women's B Division.

And I say so with all due respect to the other nations competing this week in Kelowna.

China's Team Han has been on fire since returning to the curling ice this season.

Already a blog preseason #TeamUpset watch, Han has an overall season record of 22-5.

They have reached at least the SF round in all 4 tour events played. They have reached 2 finals. They have 1 tour titles under the slider.

They even started the season on an impressive 12-match winning streak.

From opening the season ranked outside the Top 150 to now sitting at #43....Yowie Wowie!!

Again, with all due respect, anything short of China winning the B Division and earning promotion to the 2024 A Division would be considered a MASSIVE shock.

#TeamUpset: Jamaica and Philippines

Similar to the men's B Division, we welcome 2 new nations to World Curling Federation competitive ice this week.

Philippines, like the men's program, will make their women's debut.

Jamaica's women will do the same.

This is a huge #growthesport moment for both nations.

Philippines is trying to establish themselves as an Asian nation contender and it all starts with how their men's and women's teams perform this week.

For Jamaica, bringing curling to the Caribbean region is huge.

Regardless of results this week, both nations will be making #HERstory when they step on the ice.

The blog wishes them both good luck and good curling. This is exciting rockheads!

#W2W4: Who can challenge China?

As mentioned above, China will be the overwhelming #Fav.

So who can step up and try to mount a challenge? Can anyone?

Jamaica and Philippines will be making their debut and are probably not ready to compete for a promotional spot.

Kenya returns after reaching the playoffs last year and winning a bronze medal, albeit it was only a 4 nation competing and they just needed to defeat African rivals Nigeria to do so.

As an aside, Nigeria will not be fielding a team this year. We miss you Teek The Curler!!

So the main challengers should come from those nations who were relegated to B Division last year: Brazil and Hong Kong.

Both were a bit surprised with their relegation last year so both will be hungry to earn their spot back next year.

But it will not be easy.

Brazil will have a slightly new team on the ice, now being skipped by Anne Shibuya. Shibuya has world championship experience, having competed at the 2017 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship and 2018 World Mixed Curling Championship.

She will be joined by returning vice Luciana Barrella. Barrella also has world championship experience, having competed at 4 world mixed events (2015 - 2018) and a world mixed doubles championship (2019).

Hong Kong has returning experience, once again skipped by Ling-Yue Hung. Hung skipped the team at last year's PCCC and has competed in 5 Pacific-Asia Curling Championships (the event replaced by the Pan Continental Curling Championships). Hung has also competed at world mixed and world mixed doubles curling championship events.

Both nations have podium aspirations here but can either mount a challenge to the mighty Chinese?

#PopcornMatch:

China vs. Hong Kong - Draw 1: Hong Kong gets to try and draw first blood against their Asian rivals. This will be a test match to see if they are ready to challenge them in the playoffs.

Jamaica vs. Kenya - Draw 1: Could #HERstory be made?

Jamaica vs. Philippines - Draw 2: #HERstory WILL be made for sure as the winner of this game could record their 1st ever WCF win!

Brazil vs. China - Draw 2: China draws their toughest competition right out of the gate. If they start 2-0, it might be over before it gets started.

Hong Kong vs. Brazil - Draw 5: Hong Kong defeated Brazil last year, securing their only W of the competition. Can Brazil earn revenge? This is the final RR game but could serve as a SF tune-up?

Projected Standings: 1. China  2. Hong Kong  3. Brazil  4. Philippines  5. Kenya  6. Jamaica

#PCCC 2023 Playoff Qualifiers: China, Hong Kong, Brazil, Philippines

#PCCC 2023 B Division Bronze Medal Game: Brazil (Team Shibuya) def. Philippines (Team Umali)

#PCCC 2023 B Division Championship / Promotion to #PCCC 2024 A Division: China (Team Han) def. Hong Kong (Team Hung)

There you have it rock heads. What say you? Agree? Disagree?

Who are you most excited to see step on the ice in Kelowna?

#StayTuned

Note there are a number of men's, women's and mixed doubles tour events happening this weekend as well. As always, the #PowerRankings are watching!! 👀👀

ICYMI, #TwineTime did attend the inaugural event last year in Calgary. There were some great post-match interviews conducted with many of the athletes from the A and B divisions. Those interviews can be viewed on the #TwineTime YouTube channel HERE.

Many of the athletes interviewed last year will be returning to the ice this year in Kelowna.

There will be TV and streaming coverage. TSN will cover Canada games while World Curling TV will stream A-Division games on The Curling Channel, with some games featured with full production and commentary.

Full broadcast details can be found HERE.

To those nations and athletes competing, good luck, good curling and continue making #HIStory/#HERstory.