Field Set for 2^nd Annual Pharmasave Hampton Skins Classic

Hampton, N.B., November 1, 2006 – The Hampton Curling Club, in conjunction with the Atlantic Curling Tour (ACT), is pleased to announce the field for the 2^nd annual Pharmasave Hampton Skins Classic to be held at the Hampton Curling Club, 48 Cemetery Road, November 17 – 19, 2006.

The champions of last year’s inaugural event, Paul Dobson and his rink will be returning to try and better their 2005 winnings of $3890.00. The competition will be tough with the likes of two-time Canadian and World Champion & 2006 Olympic Gold Medalist Russ Howard and his Beausejour rink, 1988 World Junior Champion Jim Sullivan from Thistle St. Andrews, and two time reigning P.E.I. Provincial Champion Rod MacDonald of Summerside trying to take home the lion’s share of this year’s $14,500.00 prize purse.

Rounding out the field for this years event are 2005 Royal Canadian Legion Canadian Champion Jeff Cheal of Lennoxville, Quebec, Andrew Robinson of Charlottetown, Jamie Christianson of Halifax, Tom Girvan, and Dan Crouse of Beausejour, Dave Nowlan and Zach Eldridge of the Capital Winter Club, 2007 New Brunswick Canada Games Qualifier Jon Rennie and Bryan MacPherson of Riverside, Robert MacDiarmid of Newcastle, Gardner Dickson of Thistle St. Andrews, and Hampton’s own Greg Mackin.

The Skins format differs from regular curling in that “skins” (cash) are awarded for each end won, and the dollar value per end increases as the game progresses. Cash is awarded if the team with the hammer scores two or more points or the opposing team steals the end.  If neither of these situations occur, the money is carried over to the next end and the purse grows.  This results in a very exciting offensive style of play where teams go all out to win every end.  At the completion of 8 ends, the team with the most money wins the game. Round Robin games in this spiel are worth $250.00 each, with the Semi-finals and finals having $1500.00 and $3000.00 on the line respectively. The consolation final has $1200.00 at stake.

This 16 Team - 4 Section Bonspiel will start at 11:30 AM on Friday, November 17 with additional draws at 2:30, 6:00 and 9:00 PM. On Saturday, November 18, it will commence at 9:00 AM with additional draws at 12:00, 4:00 and 7:00 PM. The Semi – Finals and the Consolation game will be held Sunday, November 19 at 9:00 AM with the Championship Final being contested at 1:00 PM.

Thanks to our gracious sponsors Pharmasave, Scotiabank, Holly’s Restaurant and Hampton Atlantic Save Easy for once again making this year’s event a key stop on the Atlantic Curling Tour (ACT) calendar.

Admission is “FREE” so why not drop by and witness some of Atlantic Canada’s finest curling right in your neighborhood!