$106K prize attracting international teams to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., curling tournament

It is only the second annual fall classic curling tournament in Sault Ste. Marie, but the number of teams and amount of the prize purse has grown exponentially.

Growing from 21 teams last year to 28 this year, with 10 from outside Canada, the Henderson Metal Fall Classic organizers say they have several teams on a waiting list.

Some of the top curlers in the world coming to Sault Ste. Marie for the Henderson Metal Fall Classic in October. Sept. 4, 2024 (Cory Nordstrom/CTV Northern Ontario)

"We could have easily had 32 teams," tournament chair Al Harnden told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon.

"But we capped it at 28 to have more seating for spectators on the ice."

Some of the best curlers from around the world will be gathering at the YNCU Curling Centre for the event Oct. 17-20 in an effort to win the $106,000 top prize.

Harnden said it is the largest purse in the world outside of a grand slam event, which is usually $150,000.

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"Eighteen Canadian teams will be on the ice including top names Brad Gushue, Brad Jacobs, Matt Dunstone (last year’s winner), Kevin Koe, Reid Carruthers, Scott Howard, Mike McEwen, and John Epping," organizers said.

"International countries represented at the Fall Classic include the United States, Japan, Switzerland, Korea, Norway, Czechia and Italy’s Team Retornaz, last year’s runner-up."

The idea started following a conversation with Harnden and his nephew Ryan.

Despite having a very successful tournament last year, Harnden said they learned a lot and are making some changes to make it even better this year.

"We are going to have 12 of the top 21 (curling teams) in the world," he said.

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It will also provide opportunities for teams across the region and province trying to move up in the sport.

Three local teams competed in the first year of the tournament which had a $90,000 prize and attracted hundreds of spectators.

All of the games on the six sheets will be live streamed online and announcers are being brought in for at least one of the games.

Event passes that grant access to all of the 15 games throughout the four-day event went on sale Sunday and Harnden said 100 have already been sold.

The curling club's capacity is about 400 and organizers anticipate holding 100 tickets for purchase at the door.

"Sault Ste. Marie is well represented in the Henderson Metal Fall Classic, with Brad Jacobs skipping his new team out of Alberta, Ryan Harnden playing with Team Dunstone out of Manitoba, E.J. Harnden playing with Team Gushue from Newfoundland/Labrador," the tournament said.