STOH News

YOU WON'T WANT TO SKIP THIS!
2005 ONTARIO WOMEN'S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
ON ROGERS TELEVISION

Wednesday , January 26, 2005 [OTTAWA, ON] – Starting Friday, January 28th at 7:30pm, Rogers Television presents exclusive coverage of the 2005 Women's Ontario Curling Championship, available only to cable customers.

“Curling has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years but the sport remains very locally-based and with the provincials in Ottawa this year, we're especially delighted to provide extensive coverage,” says Ray Skaff, Station Manager of Rogers Television 22. “There's a large curling audience and some great rivalries between local rinks. Whoever wins here goes on to the Nationals so it promises to be 3 days of exciting curling action.”

TSN's Vic Rauter, one of Canada's foremost curling announcers, joins the Rogers Television team to host this exclusive coverage. Joining Rauter to provide colour commentary is Anne Merklinger, former Ontario Curling Champion and one who is consistently ranked among Canada's top curlers.

Coverage of the 2005 Ontario Women's Curling Championship begins Friday, January 28 at 7:30pm. The Finals air Sunday, January 30 th at 1:30pm. See the attached broadcast schedule for details.

Rogers Television will also be re-airing the Senior Women's Provincial Championships Friday, January 28 at 2pm highlighting the Team Potter's recent win in London to kick off the weekend's coverage.

Rogers Television provides local programming about your world right now. Every year, our stations produce over 16,000 hours of informative local programming, reinforcing Rogers Cable's commitment to the communities we serve.  Rogers Television is a service available exclusively to cable customers as part of the basic service of Rogers Cable Inc., Canada's largest cable company, delivering high quality entertainment, information and communication services to 2.2 million customers in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.  Rogers Television 22 serves the Ottawa community.  For more information, visit www.rogerstelevision.com.

For more information:
Nyree Costello
Publicity Officer
Rogers Television 22
(613) 759-8563
nyree.costello@rci.rogers.com

2005 Ontario Women's Curling Championships
BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Date / Time     Draw   
Women's Provincial Championships
Friday, January 28 th – live @ 7:30pm Tie Breaker
Saturday, January 29 th – live @ 9:00am Tie Breaker
Saturday, January 29 th – live @ 1:30pm Page Game (3 vs. 4)
Saturday, January 29 th – live @ 7:00pm Page Page (1 vs. 2)
Sunday, January 30 th – live @ 9:00am SEMI-FINAL
Sunday, January 30 th – live @ 1:30pm FINAL

STOH Banquet/Luncheon Information

The Banquet/Luncheon will be held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club beginning at 10:45am on Friday January 28th. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at the Rideau Curling Club until 8:00pm on Tuesday, January 25th. Please contact Joanne Pomalis for more information at pomalis@magma.ca.

Official STOH Press Release
Ontario's Women Curling elite to play in the Nation's Capital

Ottawa, ON, January 19, 2004 The Rideau Curling Club will be hosting the 2005 Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts January 24 - 30. Top women teams from across the province will compete for a spot in the Canadian women's curling championship, The Scott Tournament of Hearts in St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador from February 19 27 at Mile One Stadium.

"We look forward to welcoming all the players to our nation's capital," says Bonnie Morris, Chair of the Host Committee. "With the talent here in Ontario I am certain it will be an interesting and competitive week. We believe girls rock!"

Beginning Monday, January 24, local curling fans will be treated to five games in the first draw at 1:30 p.m. and will enjoy the opening ceremonies at 7:00 p.m., prior to Draw 2.

Ten rinks will compete from Monday January 24 28 in round-robin play. Tie-breakers as necessary and the page play-off system will take place Friday, January 28 and Saturday, January 29; the semi-final is slated for Saturday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m.; and the championship game goes on Sunday, January 30 at 1:30 p.m.

"The Rideau Curling Club has a rich tradition and history of hosting premier bonspiels," says Fran Todd, President of the Ontario Curling Association. "This tournament will only add to their reputation as a player- and people-friendly club."

To complement the great competition we are ready to party down with Hungry Monkey after the Friday draw at the Rideau Curling Club. Put on your dancing shoes and be ready for some great classic-modern rock.

Ticket packages cost only $65.00 and event merchandise is available now and during the seven-day tournament. Please see the attached draw schedule. For more information call the Rideau Curling Club at 232-9665 or visit our website at: http://www.rideaucurlingclub.com/stoh/index.htm

Heather Cloutier
Media Relations
290-0787

The field for the 2005 Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts is now finalized after Kathy Brown and Chrissy Cadorin and their teams conquered the final two spots through the always tough OCA Hearts Challenge Round.

Six More '05 Ontario STOH Teams Determined

Local favorite and 1998 Ontario Junior Women's Champion Jenn Hanna, 2001 & 2002 Ontario STOH Champion Janet McGhee, 1997 Ontario STOH Champion Kim Moore, and 2004 Canada Cup East Champion Jo-Ann Rizzo, and their teams have qualified for the 2005 Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts through the Ontario Regional playdowns. They will be joined by Krista Scharf and Tara George, and their teams who qualified through the Northwestern Ontario playdowns. The final two STOH teams will be determined during the STOH Challenge Round being played at the Bayview CC with the finals on January 16, 2005.

First 2 '05 Ontario STOH Teams Determined

2004 Ontario STOH Runner-Up Elaine Uhryn and her team (pictured above to the left), along with Dawn Schwar and her team (pictured to the right) are the first two teams that have qualified for the 2005 Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts after earning a berth through the Northern Ontario Ladies Curling Association Playdowns.

Friday night party with Hungry Monkey!

Purchase your event pass and come to the party after the Friday night draw! Don't miss a great party and a great band.

For more information on Hungry Monkey visit their website at www.hungrymonkey.ca. To purchase your event pass call or email Audrey at the Rideau Curling Club 613-232-9665 or manager@rideaucurlingclub.com.

Don't miss the party! Get your pass today!