Tuesday, December 11, 2001
Martin expected to sign CCA deal
By JIM BENDER -- Winnipeg Sun
REGINA -- Money talks.
Don't expect Kevin Martin to raise any loud objections over signing an agreement with the CCA that says he must agree to play in next season's provincial playdowns to continue getting COA funding as a national team.
That funding is worth $1,100 a month tax-free for each member of the Alberta foursome that just won the Canadian Curling Trials.
"(The deal won't have an impact on his plans until January) 2003 anyway and the landscape may have changed by then," World Curling Tour Players' Association executive director Shawn Smith said at the Regina Airport yesterday.
Smith conceded it's ironic Martin, the WCPA president and spokesman for the Grand Slam renegades, will now be working closely with both the CCA and COA. But he suggested that working in such close quarters with the CCA could help iron out their differences.
Smith was on his way to Wainwright, Alta., where the inaugural Grand Slam, the Telus Canadian Open, will be played this weekend.
His main concern, however, was with the Howard family. Brothers Russ and Glenn had to rush home from Regina to be with their father, who needed emergency surgery. As a result, both curlers -- who skip different teams on their own -- will likely miss Wainwright.
The World Curling Tour filled the last of the 24 spots available with Radek Klima of the Czech Republic and two well-known teams from the Wainwright area.
Martin will use the Grand Slam events to tune up for the Olympics. However, women's trials winner Kelley Law reportedly plans to enter her provincial playdowns.
2002 Games Curling Coverage
