Superstar curlers in Toronto June 3-4

Toronto, ON – Capital One, in association with the local organizing committee, has announced that 2010 world men’s curling champion Kevin Koe of Edmonton is the last of 30 superstars to confirm their participation in the Capital One Celebrity Bonspiel.

The second annual event is a unique curling tournament which offers single-entry participants the chance to curl – for fun – alongside Olympic and world champion competitors. The bonspiel takes place June 3-4 at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, and any level of curling expertise (or lack of) is welcome.

Koe, who defeated fellow bonspiel participant Glenn Howard of Coldwater, Ont. in the 2010 Brier final and went on to win the world title in Cortina, Italy, is a special import and will captain the Capital One team in the event.

Participants who raise funds in advance for SickKids Foundation are allowed to select their celebrity skip. The remarkable talent pool features 2010 Olympic curling champion John Morris (Edmonton) and 2006 Olympic champion Brad Gushue (St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador), four-time world junior champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland, 2011 Ontario champion Rachel Homan of Ottawa, reigning world women’s champions Cissi Ostlund and Sara Carlsson from Sweden, and Winnipeg superstars Jennifer Jones, Mike McEwen and 2011 Brier and world champion Reid Carruthers from Team Jeff Stoughton.

“I’m really looking forward to my first appearance at the Capital One Celebrity Bonspiel,” said Koe. “It’s a great cause and I’ve heard such great things about the event. I haven’t thrown a stone in a few weeks so I hope my team isn’t expecting too many hero shots!”

Last year’s inaugural event raised over $68,000 for SickKids Foundation, the fundraising arm of Toronto’s world-renowned Hospital for Sick Children.

The weekend kicks off with a junior curling clinic on June 3, hosted by the Capital One Rocks and Rings school educational program. The celebrity competitors will then meet their “new” teammates at an evening mixer.

Saturday, June 4 features the Celebrity Bonspiel, consisting of three four-end curling games, followed by the event finals and the closing gala dinner.

There are a handful of entries still available for participation in the 2011 Capital One Celebrity Bonspiel, with registration conducted entirely online here.

Fundraising and sponsorship inquiries are also welcome at: sickkidsbonspiel@rogers.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

George Karrys
Capital One Celebrity Bonspiel Media Relations
416-605-2515
george@isportonline.com