Darcy Robertson’s AMCC team (Gaetanne Gauthier, Rachel Kaatz, Kadriana Lott, Coach Cathy Gauthier) AND Grace Beaudry’s St. Vital junior team (Emily Ogg, Madelyn Hollins, Mackenzie Arbuckle, Alternate Shaela Hayward, Coach Cal Edie) have won the final two entries into the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in East St. Paul.

Beaudry defeated the Manitoba Club champions skipped by Lisa Birchard (Pembina) while Robertson ousted another junior team skipped by Tansy Tober (Ft Garry) in the final berth games Sunday at Deer Lodge.

(December 17, 11PM) CAREY JOINS JONES, LAWES IN MANITOBA SCOTTIES ….With the exception of the absent Kerri Einarson Team Canada, ALL of Manitoba’s elite women’s teams have now qualified for the Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts at East St. Paul, January 24-29, 2023.

Former champion Chelsea Carey, returning to Manitoba competition this season, was the first regional qualifier Saturday, December 17. Her East St. Paul team joins the defending champion Mackenzie Zacharias team, now lined up with Jennifer Jones, and Kaitlyn Lawes whose team had pre-qualified on CTRS points. They will be joined by the best young teams on the Manitoba scene.

Kristy Watling, Abby Ackland, and Beth Peterson (all in the CTRS top 30) were also pre-qualified prior to regionals. Watling (CTRS points 2021-22), Peterson (Minnedosa Berth Bonspiel), and Ackland (MCT points) were joined by MCT Champion Lisa McLeod in advance qualifying – leaving six regional berths to be played for this weekend.

In Western Manitoba, Alyssa Calvert-Carberry won a best of three series with Seniors Champion Terry Ursel to earn a Scotties berth. Joining Team Carey as Winnipeg regional berth winners on the Saturday evening draw were teams skipped by Katy Lukowich-Granite and Emma Jensen-Heather.

Lukowich fought from behind to tie 6-6 after five ends then stole the sixth for a one point lead. After trading deuces with veteran Darcy Robertson, Lukowich led by one, without hammer, playing the ninth and final end. The key shot of the end was draw by third Lauren Rajala who drew past a centre guard to be fully buried just short of the four foot circle – the eventual winning point.

For Jensen, it was a more dominating effort. The Heather team led 6-3 after five ends but ended the game with some great shotmaking, aided by timely misses, to score four on the sixth end.

The final two Scotties berths will be determined Sunday on a Noon draw at Deer Lodge when the crests will be handed to the winners of Lisa Birchard, Pembina vs Grace Beaudry, St. Vital AND Darcy Robertson, AMCC vs Tansy Tober, Fort Garry.

SCOTTIES QUALIFIED TEAMS:
CHAMP: Jones/Zacharias – St. Vital/Altona
CTRS 2021: Kristy Watling
BERTH BONSPIEL: Beth Peterson
MCT Champion: Lisa McLeod
MCT Points Berth: Abby Ackland
CTRS Nov 22, 2022: Kaitlyn Lawes
Westman Alyssa Calvert – Carberry
Winnipeg Chelsea Carey – East St. Paul
Winnipeg Katy Lukowich – Granite
Winnipeg Emma Jensen – Heather
Winnipeg Regional – Darcy Robertson – AMCC
Winnipeg Regional – Grace Beaudry – St. Vital