It was the very first Grand Slam event ever, with the Slam series beginning that season.[1] The event featured a purse of $100,000 with the winning team receiving $30,000.[2]
Telus was brought on as a sponsor in late November. It was originally planned to feature 32 teams, but was reduced to 24 due to the reluctance of some tour teams to boycott playdowns for the Brier, due to an ongoing dispute between the World Curling Players Association and the Canadian Curling Association. Local teams were added to the event at the last minute with the promise of not having to boycott playdowns.[2]
The semifinals and final were televised on Sportsnet.[1]
The event was seen as a success for the fledgling tour. World Curling Tour executive director Chad McMullan (who also competed in event) indicated that the event had near-sellout crowds. It also saw a television audience of 250,000, more than twice the average for 10 events Sportsnet aired the previous season, and not far behind the 369,000 average viewership of the 2001 Nokia Brier which aired on rival TSN.[4]
Teams
Teams included 13 of the top 25 teams on the World Curling Players Association ranking system, as well as five local teams.[1] Notable absences were Russ Howard (due to family health problems),[2]Bert Gretzinger and Greg McAulay. Teams that did not boycott the Brier (Randy Ferbey, John Morris and Guy Hemmings) were deemed ineligible.[1]
Wayne Middaugh
Pierre Charette
Kevin Park
Dave Boehmer
Glen Despins
