The 117th International Bonspiel in Dawson City was held last weekend in Dawson.

There were 19 mixed teams in all for the northern mixed event, which requires at least one member of the opposite sex.

Both sheets of ice as well as the lounge were busy throughout the weekend as curlers watched, visited and rooted for their favorites.

A Division: Team Enoch (Skip: Mark Castellarin, with Bonnie Barber, Deb Enoch and Dennis Peters ) over Curl Jam (Skip: Thomas McCabe). This was Team Enoch’s second title in a row and while the final score was 9-5, it does not reflect the hard fought game. McCabe led until the sixth end.

B Division: 4 Samurai (Skip: Akio Saito) over Team Taylor (Skip: Frank Taylor), by a score of 9-3.

C Division: Ham Dogs (Skip: Paul Robitaille) over Firefighters (Skip: Chris Mayes) with a score of 8-7.

D Division: Team Potoroka (Skip: Mindy Potoroka) over The Karl CurlNutsons (Skip: Jonathan Howe) by a score of 11-6.

Mayor Wayne Potoroka was heard saying, “This is my favourite sporting event of the year,” many times over the weekend.

Dawson still suffers from having a natural ice rink, and Paul Robitaille reports that volunteers had to work tirelessly to build the ice in early November, and spend countless hours of ongoing maintenance throughout the year.

Volunteers (who also curled in the event) were hard at work throughout the weekend, spending late nights and early mornings getting the ice perfected for the bonspiel.

The hard work paid off: “This was the best ice I’ve played on,” said long time curler Myrta Shilliger. “The volunteer ice makers really outdid themselves.”

Club president Saito was thrilled with the weekend: “We have an amazing group of volunteers and players who make this event and club so successful. Anyone who loves curling, or wants to get a sense of what our club is all about should take part in this bonspiel.”

Saito and the Dawson City Curling Club wished to thank the hard working ice-making crew, the organizing committee, the weekend’s great volunteers, players, fans and contributors. The 118th International Bonspiel is scheduled for February 3-5.

With notes from Paul Robitaille.