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
China rebukes U.S., Canadian navies for Taiwan Strait transit
China's military rebuked the United States and Canada for 'deliberately provoking risk' after the countries' navies staged a rare joint sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.

Alcohol policies in every province, territory receive failing grade in meeting public health standards: report
A new report has found that alcohol policies in all provinces and territories are failing to meet public health standards.
Four kids and one man drown after Quebec fishing accident: provincial police
A fishing excursion ended in tragedy on Saturday when four children died in a village in northeastern Quebec, provincial police said.
Antipsychotic drugs use increased in Canadian long-term care homes, pointing to possible quality-of-care issues: study
New study finds increase in antipsychotic drugs use in long-term care homes across Canada, despite no significant increase in behavioural symptoms – something that may expose a potential area of concern for quality of care, researchers say.
Officials declare Halifax-area wildfire largely contained as rain brings relief
Heavy rain and some military reinforcements arrived to assist efforts on Saturday to quell the wildfires that have destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of thousands of people across Nova Scotia.
Forest fires in Northern Quebec: Another 2,000 evacuated from their homes
Another northern Quebec town was evacuated due to an out of control wildfire on Saturday as the federal government confirmed that Canadian Forces personnel would be deployed to help combat forest fires in the province.
'Very good outcome' for sale of Ottawa Senators expected in the next few weeks, NHL Commissioner says
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the process to sell the Ottawa Senators is moving forward as "quickly as possible," and the New York-based company overseeing the sale is advising to "expect a very good outcome in the next few weeks."
Fighting climate change or funding fossil fuels? America wants it 'both ways': U.S. ambassador
The U.S. Ambassador to Canada says America 'absolutely wants to have it both ways' when it comes to fighting climate change while pursuing fossil fuel projects.
More than 5,000 new species discovered at future deep-sea mining site in Pacific Ocean
More than 5,000 new species have been discovered at an expansive future deep-sea mining site in the Pacific Ocean.