3 Nov 2024 – Both New Zealand teams finished out of the playoffs at the just-concluded Pan Continental Championships in Lacombe, Canada.

Neither side had a top-five finish that would have qualified them for a third consecutive World Championship, and they had contrasting responses to their results.

The NZ champion Men's side of Anton Hood, Ben Smith, Brett Sargon and Hunter Walker were joined in Alberta by alternate Jared Palanuik in his first international competition. Carolyn McRorie returned to coach the team again.

They were disappointed with their seventh placing, having targeted the semifinals and World qualification at this event.

Their emphatic 9-1 win over a strong Korean team was cancelled out by a last-stone loss to Australia and a disappointing loss to Japan late in the competition, and they finished with a 2-5 win-loss record.

"Pretty gutted!" was the first response of Anton Hood. "This wasn’t our best display but we continue to build!"

"We have shown to ourselves when we play well, who we can beat so it’s about fine-tuning that. We have the right people around us and the best teammates possible, so nothing's out of reach for this unit."

"We look forward to giving it our all next season and continuing to chase the Olympic dream!"

This was the first Pan Continental Championship for Chelsea Suddens, Eleanor Heald, Sophie Tran, Ariel Weber and Grace Apuwai-Bishop – and the international debut for Tran and Weber. They were coached by Jim Weber, and assisted by William Sheard.

They were bronze medallists at this year's NZ Women's Championship and were confirmed for Canada only weeks before the event. 

The side started the tournament with a more modest target of sixth place which would guarantee NZ re-qualification to the A-Division of the PCCCs next year, and achieved that goal with the same 2-5 record as the Men.

"We really enjoyed our time in Canada, gaining a lot of experience as a team," said skip Chelsea Suddens.

"We gelled really well and had some amazing games! We put ourselves in lots of good positions throughout the competition and were happy with our play as a team."

Canada won the Women's gold medal from Korea, with China taking bronze. China won the Men's competition ahead of Japan and the USA.
 

• World Curling tournament page
   
• NZ record at Pan Continental Championships –  Men  |  Women

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