World Men's Curling Championships underway in Ottawa
The world's best men's curling teams have taken to the pebbled ice in Ottawa, vying for the championship cup.
"We watch these guys all the time. To watch them here in person is just awesome," said Valerie Haggart, one of the handful of City View Curling Club members cheering on Canada's curling sensations Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, E.J. Harnden, Geoff Walker and Ryan Harnden.
The nation's capital is welcoming curlers from 12 countries to the Arena at TD Place and thousands of fans will sweep into the house of the course of nine days. This marks the first time Ottawa is hosting a world men's curling championship.
"Since they announced it coming to Ottawa, we purchased tickets and made sure our jerseys were ready to go,” said Steve Parsons, also a member of City View Curling Club.
“It’s great to be out and watch top notch the best men's curlers in the world,” said Sue Wilkinson, cheering on Team Canada.
The city was supposed to host in 2021 but the event was swept over to Calgary due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers are eager to host the big tournament this year.
“I think it’s fantastic for the fans of curling but even better for people who haven’t seen curling live,” said Elaine Brimicombe, the vice-chair of the World Men's Curling Championship.
More than 300 volunteers are helping out with the tournament that is also expected to add a boost to the local economy.
“I expect this is in the 12- to 15-million dollar impact range… so it’s huge for us,” said Glenn Duncan with Ottawa Tourism.
Between draws, you can find curling enthusiasts partying at the Patch, located in the Aberdeen Pavilion.
The public is welcome to "rock" out to live music and games, and a chance to meet top curlers. It's open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight. Kids are welcome up to 8 p.m.
The championship runs until April 9. Fans are hoping that, by next Sunday, Team Canada will "hurry hard" and hoist the championship trophy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
What Michael Cohen said on the stand in Trump hush money case
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Behind the barricades: How protesters spend their first days in a new encampment
Students in Montreal describe life in a newly erected encampment in Montreal as a whirlwind of preparations, from facing rain and a potential police crackdown to setting up a space for the exchange of ideas.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Next 48 hours will be 'extremely challenging' for B.C. wildfire crews near Fort Nelson: officials
A wildfire burning dangerously close to Fort Nelson, B.C., has grown to more than 50 square kilometres, and officials are warning that the blaze's behaviour is expected to become more volatile over the next 48 hours.
Southern Ont. man charged with attempted murder in Timmins shooting
One of two men wanted for attempted murder in Timmins has been arrested, while a warrant has been issued for a second suspect, who fled police on foot.