Jordon McDonald is considered an up-and-comer in the curling world. Read More
Grand Slam of Curling stop — on now in Ontario — helping to boost up-and-coming curling stars
Grand Slam of Curling stop — on now in Ontario — helping to boost up-and-coming curling stars
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Jordon McDonald is considered an up-and-comer in the curling world.
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The 22-year-old and his team from Winnipeg are rising alright, with a helping hard courtesy of the Grand Slam of Curling.
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The heralded series featuring the best curlers in the world is fast becoming known for its commitment to helping foster the growth of young stars on the circuit, including the likes of McDonald and Calgary’s Kayla Skrlik, with events such as the AMJ Masters — this week’s six-day stop in Ontario.
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“We want to be that next team that steps up and gets to the slams and gets to the Brier every year,” said McDonald, talking ahead of the Masters, which continues through Sunday at London’s Western Fair Sports Centre and the St. Thomas Curling Club.
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“These events, like the Masters, are super important for not just my team but a lot of the teams that are trying to get better,” continued McDonald. “They bring all the best teams in the world to the event, just because they’re such high-calibre and everyone wants to be in them.”
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But McDonald knows becoming a regular at major events just doesn’t happen overnight.
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Cue the higher education of curling galas such as the Masters, which has evolved this year into a two-tier slam, making for one more set of dates on the GSOC season that’s boosting the younger generation.
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The CO-OP Tour Challenge again features two tiers as part of its format next month in Nisku, Alta. And nearby Beaumont hosts the sport’s brightest stars in the upcoming inaugural Jr. GSOC U-25 and U-15 events, running concurrent to the Tour Challenge.
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“In the past, there’s only been on Tier 2 event, so that’s only one opportunity to have that kind of event in a season,” McDonald said. “So it’s kind of difficult for some of the teams to gain points.
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“So having those Tier 2s gives us a chance to be really competitive with some of the other teams that are trying to do the same thing — get into the slams. It’s a great chance to get a lot of points, and you don’t have to play some of the best teams in the world to get a lot of points.”
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But the Masters and the Tour Challenge offer up action against élites of the sport.
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“We know our potential is there,” McDonald said. “We can hang around with some of the best teams in the world, but it’s just consistency — like we’re just not as consistent as the best teams in the world. We just don’t perform at the super-high level all the time that all the best teams in the world do.
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