Registered: Oct 2006
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 72

There is always a lot of talk about the format of Safeway championship - IE # of teams and how they qualify, etc.

After being in Brandon, I heard some of the competitors and fans say that it would probably make more sense to start the competition a day later (or even 2 days later) and have the semi and final on Monday or Tuesday, rather than the Sunday.

Under the current format, the competitors and supporting fans basically have to take tues-friday off. (Tuesday is practice ice and banquet).
Half of the teams are out of the competition by Thursday night and the field is down to 8 after the 4pm Friday draw.
Four teams even get knocked out on the Wednesday - which is the first day of competition.

The fans that have come to support these teams that get knocked out go home then their team is done. Quite often the competitors that get knocked out go home the day after they are eliminated and go back to work!

There are lots more family/friends that would come out to support their favorite team if they were playing on the weekend as not everyone has the luxury of taking days off during the week.

Lets call a spade a spade - MANY of the fans in the seats are friends and family of the competitors.
As soon as the team these fans are supporting get knocked out...most of those fans are gone home the next day.

There is basically no fans in the seats for the semi final and final that are on the Sunday.

I'm just thinking that the host community would make more money on gate, food, hotel, and booze if there were more teams still in the competition on the weekend.
I think you would get more fans staying (and also knocked out competitors staying) till Sunday night if there were more teams left in the competition and it was officially 'the weekend'.

Just a thought based on some convo's from Brandon. Not sure if this is something the MCA has looking at before.
Can anyone out there from Curl Manitoba comment?

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 7

Seems like a logical move. However, due to TV obligations I highly doubt this will ever fly.

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Registered: Feb 2013
Location:
Posts: 812

quote:

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Originally posted by Madams
Seems like a logical move. However, due to TV obligations I highly doubt this will ever fly.

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Registered: Feb 2007
Location: dunc's curling bag
Posts: 56

I agree Brad. That's why we didn't want to play in it this year.

Regardless of the televising, they should make it more hospitable to curlers and their families. As well, how many fans will take days off of work to attend the prelims? Some years it looks like the event is played in a ghost town.

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Registered: Mar 2015
Location:
Posts: 1

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Registered: Jan 2005
Location: the Banana Belt
Posts: 990

And the "Elite" players in Ontario cite the Manatoba system as the one they would prefer....

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