Curling Canada – The race to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, will heat up again in Grande Prairie, Alta., when the 2016 Scotties Tournament of Hearts kicks off on Feb. 20 at Revolution Place.

Media accreditations are now being accepted for the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship, which is a key event in deciding Canada’s 2018 Olympics four-player women’s team representative.

The winner of the 2016 Scotties will represent Canada at the 2016 Ford World Women’s Championship, March 19-27, in Swift Current, Sask. Should the Scotties winner capture a medal in Swift Current, the team will qualify directly into the 2017 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials in Ottawa — the event that decides Canada’s Olympic four-player teams.

Leading the field into Grande Prairie will be defending champion Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, wearing the Team Canada uniform. Jones will be seeking her sixth Scotties title, which would tie the record currently held by Colleen Jones of Nova Scotia.

For media requiring credentials, please apply on-line at www.curling.ca/championships/media-accreditation-request-form/, by no later than Feb. 13, 2016. You will be sent a confirmation letter outlining the on-site accreditation procedures. Those requesting credentials should also email a high-resolution mugshot of themselves to media@curling.ca to make the on-site accreditation process easier.

Please note: On-ice photographers will be required to wear black clothing and shoes and restrict themselves to designated shooting areas during the games.

For media requiring accommodation, please contact Carla Radke at Scotties Tournament of Hearts office at carla.radke@curling.ca or 587-771-0900 (ext 209). Accommodation is extremely tight and those requiring rooms are urged to make arrangements as soon as possible.

Also, once you have travel arrangements set, contact Carla Radke (contact info above). When possible, pickups can be arranged for transport from Grande Prairie Airport.

The winner of the 2016 Scotties will return to the 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in St. Catharines, Ont., as Team Canada.
 
For ticket and other event information, visit www.curling.ca/2016scotties/.

TSN/TSN2 (RDS2 in French), the exclusive television network for Curling Canada’s Season of Champions, will provide complete coverage of the 2016 Scotties.

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For further information:
Robin Wilson
Coordinator, Communication & Media Relations
Curling Canada
(604) 230-5871
rwilson@curling.ca

Al Cameron
Director, Communication & Media Relations
Curling Canada
(403) 463-5500
acameron@curling.ca