Recksiedler Finishes First in Inaugural Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino Ladies Classic
After a few false starts on the Cash Spiel circuit, Team Recksiedler makes the best of a strong start and wins the first annual Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino Ladies Classic in Cloverdale, B.C. Kristen, Kirsten, Trysta & Julie won their first four round robin games, defeating Cory McLaughlin, Georgina Wheatcroft, Colleen Hannah and home club favourites, Leanne Andrews before falling to Patti Knezevic in their fifth game. After finishing the round robin with a record of 4-1 - Recksiedler qualified for the Skins Game against Kathy Smiley on Monday afternoon and for the championship round on Tuesday - advancing to the Semi Finals.
With both teams treading cautiously in the unfamiliar Skins format, the first three skins were ‘carry overs’. Recksiedler managed to secure two points in the fourth end to win the elusive skin worth $250. She went on to steal a point in the fifth for yet another skin which would ensure the victory ($350). Smiley was not to go home empty handed however as she made a spectacular shot in the 6th to force a carry over and draw off. In a dramatic finish, Recksiedler drew her stone within inches of the pin but was still outdrawn by Kathy Smiley who nearly covered the pin with her final stone - winning a respectable $150.
In the championship round the Recksiedler team stormed into the semi final against Georgina Wheatcroft by taking 2 in the first end, forcing Georgina to her only point of the game in the second and then scoring a resounding 7 points in the 3rd. Wheatcroft, a member of the organizing committee and a driving force behind the inception of the Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino Ladies Classic, graciously conceded the game and finished 3rd/4th.
Recksiedler went on to face Colleen Hannah in the final. After a close first five ends, Recksiedler broke the game open with a steal in the 6th and went on to win with an 8-4 victory.
Kristen and her teammates will be competing in Abbotsford this weekend at the Wayden Transportation Women’s Grand Slam, starting with their first game on Friday, November 14, at 2:30 pm.
