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 Manfred Bollinger at the 2010 World Qualifying
photo -  Katja Kiikinen

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Manfred Bollinger skipped his national team to a decisive win at the 4th Annual Wetzikon Invitational in Zurich, Switzerland October 22-23.

A ten team field often used as a World's Qualifying warm-up, this year attracted Italy, the Czech Republic and Team Germany, skipped once again by Jens jager, back from the wilderness and with a new coach after Germany's failure at the 2011 Worlds.

Final standings and team members are HERE

Weekend Wrap-up - 32 teams plus 2 pairs competing

With ten teams in Lohja Finland finishing the Worlds Qualifying, seven teams in Utica NY for the US Open, and six in Prague for their Open (information previously posted), three other tournaments this weekend made it the busiest three days of wheelchair curling since the sport began.

In Bern Switzerland, five teams competed for the 2010 Rolli Trophy. Jens Jager's new Mainhattan Ice Wheelers won the event. His team from the  Schwenningen CC: Heike Melchior at lead, Uwe Raschke 2nd, and Martin Schlitt at 3rd. Teams from Lausanne, Basel, Bern and Wetzikon competed. Results are available HERE.

In Calgary, the Alberta CF and the Calgary Wheelchair Curling Association sponsored Alberta's first Cashspiel, a four team double round robin event at the Ogden Legion CC. Team (Jack) Smart (5-1), with Bruno Yizek, Ann Anne Hibberd, Bridget Wilson and Martin Purvis took the $400 first prize, which they donated back to the club towards next year's event which they hope to schedule in October.

Last year's Team Saskatchewan skip Darwin Bender (4-2, $300) brought provincial teammates Gil Dash, Marie Wright and Terry Hart.  Michael Alberg (2-4, $200) who is hoping this year to break Chris Sobkowicz monopoly on the Manitoba provincial title, brought Dennis Thiessen, Effie Loubardias and Heather Mowat.

A second Calgary team skipped by Dale Keith (1-5, $100) with George Assenheimer, Curtis Junor, Wanda Pizzinato, and Jolly Knowles completed the field. and also donated their prize money.

Jim Armstrong and Darryl Neighbour won the mixed Golden (2on2) Stick Spiel in Maple Ridge, BC. Gary Cormack partnered Chris Daw in the other wheelchair pairing of the 14 team field. Results HERE.

Next week is the Cathy Kerr Memorial Bonspiel in Ottawa; with 15 teams expected.

Marcus Sieger replaces Jens Jäger as skip of Team Germany

new Team Germany skip Marcus Sieger

Jens Jäger, who skipped Germany to a bronze medal at the 2009 Wolds, and also skipped at the Vancouver Paralympics, is out of the national team. He has been replaced by his 3rd, Marcus Stieger.

The new Team Germany, who will compete at the 2011 Worlds in Prague, is  Marcus Sieger (Skip), Jens Gäbel, Christiane Steger and newcomer Stefan Deuschl. Helmar Erlewein continues as national team coach.

Jens has a new team, the Mainhattan Ice Wheelers, who competed in last weekend's Danish international spiel at Taarnby, finishing fourth.

Jens Jaeger's Team Germany win national award

Jens Jäger

Germany's wheelchair curling team skipped by Jens Jäger was presented with the National Paralympic Team of the Year award in Berlin, beating out teams competing in basketball and volleyball. Germany won bronze at the 2009 Worlds, beating USA with a last stone redirection that, if you haven't already seen, is worth a view. 


Christine Steger has replaced Astrid Hoer on the team that will compete in Vancouver in 2010.