CurlingZone: Birt wins Jim Sullivan Curling Classic

Suzanne Birt (Summerside, PEI) wins the Jim Sullivan Curling Classic, defeating Andrea Kelly (Fredericton, NB) 10-3 in Sunday's Final.

Birt with Marie Christianson at third, Meaghan Hughes and Michelle McQuaid on the front end take home the $2,000CDN first place cheque along with 15.000 world ranking points, while Kelly receives $1,500CDN and 11.000 world ranking points for their second-place finish.

Starting with hammer, Birt scored 2 in the first end, then forced Kelly to a single in the second end. Birt scored 2 in the third end, again holding Kelly to a single in the fourth end for the 4-2 lead. Birt added two more in the fifth end and for the third time forced Kelly to a single, then broke open the game with 4 in the seventh end.

Hosted for the first time by the Capital Winter Club in Fredericton, following it's lasted edition in 2019 at the Thistle St. Andrews in Saint John, the event honours its namesake who, at a young age, broke out on the curling scenes. However, underneath it all, Sullivan struggled with mental illness. It was a battle he would lose in 2011 when he committed suicide.

In the semifinals, Birt defeated Halifax's Jessica Daigle 7-3 and Kelly defeated Halifax's Marlee Powers 7-5. In the quarterfinals, Daigle stole the 6-5 win over Jaclyn Crandall of Fredericton and Powers did the same to Jenna Campbell (Fredericton), 6-5 in an extra end.

Birt finished 4-0 in the 15-team qualifying round, In their opening game, Birt defeated Lauren Price (Fredericton, NB) 11-4, then won 8-1 against Laurie Dohaher (Moncton, NB) and 7-5 against Melodie Forsythe (Moncton, NB). Birt won 9-2 against Crandall in their final qualifying round match.

To top ↑