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Six teams advance to SaskTel Tankard

Dec 20, 2011 | 4:15 PM

The six pre-qualifiers have been announced for the 2012 SaskTel Tankard to take place in Assiniboia from February 1-5, 2012.

The winner of this year's Tankard will have home ice advantage as the Brier is being hosted by Saskatoon in March.

Six teams get a free pass by qualifying through the World and Saskatchewan Curling Tours, the Saskatchewan Curling Players Association Championship and a wild card.

Steve Laycock will try to defend his title as he qualified through the SCPA Championship. Laycock will not have Pat Simmons at his side this year, as Simmons is playing with Kevin Koe's rink out of Alberta.

Simmons threw last stones for Laycock, who called the game for the team last year. The combo went 4-7 at the 2011 Brier. Laycock filled the void by picking up 2009 Provincial Champion skip Joel Jordison.

The two rinks who qualified as the highest ranking teams on the WCT are Scott Bitz and last year's provincial junior champion Braeden Moskowy.

The top two rinks on the SCT to qualify are Bruce Korte and Jamie Schneider, while the Wild Card berth has been awarded to Mark Herbert's rink out of Moose Jaw.

The other 10 teams will qualify out of the Northern and Southern Playdowns that will take place in Nipawin and Swift Current from January 19-22, 2012.

news@panow.com