The 2025 Canadian Vision Impaired Curling Championship (CVICC)
After a four year absence, the Canadian Vision Impaired Curling Championship (CVICC) returned with a bang during White Cane Week from February 3-7, 2025. Cape Breton’s Sydney Curling Club hosted the tournament in beautiful Sydney, Nova Scotia. This marked the first time in 20 years that the CVICC had ever been held outside of Ottawa.
The 2025 CVICC also welcomed a new team to the Curling Family – Team New Brunswick. Eight teams from seven provinces battled it out in an intense week of curling action. The participating rinks (teams) included Team British Columbia (Prince George), Team Nova Scotia (Sydney), Team Canada (Edmonton – Defending Champions), Team Manitoba (Winnipeg), Team Alberta (Edmonton), Team Ontario (Toronto), Team New Brunswick (Moncton), and Team Saskatchewan (Saskatoon).
February 2nd, 2025
The championship officially kicked off with a “Meet-and-Greet” social event following some practice time on the ice at the Sydney Curling Club. Players, coaches, and supporters gathered for an evening of camaraderie before the start of the competition. This was an opportunity for teams to connect, share their excitement, and prepare for the days ahead.
February 3rd-6th, 2025
The CVICC followed a round-robin format, with teams competing in daily draws at 9 AM and 1 PM Atlantic Time.
February 7th, 2025
Daily Round Robin Results and Standings
Day 1 - February 3rd
An opening ceremony launched the championship with a traditional bagpipe performance, setting the tone for an exhilarating first day.
Draw 1 Results:
Nova Scotia 15 – Alberta 5
Manitoba 7 – Saskatchewan 3
Ontario 12 – New Brunswick 4
British Columbia 11 – Team Canada 7
Team Canada 11 – New Brunswick 2
British Columbia 11 – Ontario 4
Manitoba 7 – Alberta 3
Nova Scotia 11 – Saskatchewan 0
Day 2 - February 4th
The tournament heated up with teams finding their rhythm and competing fiercely.
Draw 3 Results:
Team Canada 10 – Nova Scotia 1
Alberta 12 – New Brunswick 2
Manitoba 10 – Ontario 0
British Columbia 11 – Saskatchewan 4
Draw 4 Results:
British Columbia 12 – Alberta 0
Nova Scotia 9 – Ontario 4
New Brunswick 11 – Saskatchewan 10
Team Canada 7 – Manitoba 6
Day 3 - February 5th
With just two days remaining, teams were fighting hard for a spot in the playoffs.
Draw 5 Results:
Team Canada 16 – Saskatchewan 1
British Columbia 7 – Nova Scotia 3
Alberta 8 – Ontario 2
Manitoba 9 – New Brunswick 3
Draw 6 Results:
British Columbia 11 – New Brunswick 0
Alberta 10 – Saskatchewan 2
Nova Scotia 9 – Manitoba 4
Ontario 6 – Team Canada 4
Day 4 - February 6th
The final Round Robin Draw concluded, determining the top teams advancing to the playoffs.
Draw 7 Results:
Nova Scotia 14 – New Brunswick 0
Team Canada 11 – Alberta 1
British Columbia 7 – Manitoba 5
Ontario 9 – Saskatchewan 8
Final Round Robin Standings
1st. British Columbia 7-0
2nd. Team Canada 5-2
3rd. Nova Scotia 5-2
4th. Manitoba 4-3
5th. Alberta 3-4
6th. Ontario 3-4
7th. New Brunswick 1-6
8th. Saskatchewan 0-7
With Saskatchewan eliminated, the remaining teams prepared for the playoff battles ahead. The stage was set for an exciting playoff showdown to determine the 2025 champions.
Day 5 - February 7th
Playoffs and Championship Matches
The playoffs began with intense competition leading up to the Gold and Bronze Medal matches – the stakes were high, and every shot counted!
Team Manitoba defeated Alberta 11-4, advancing them to the Bronze Medal game.
Team Nova Scotia defeated Team Canada 5-4, moving Team Nova Scotia up to the Championship game against the undefeated Team British Columbia and Team Canada to the Bronze Medal game against Team Manitoba.
Consolation Final:
Team Ontario vs. Team New Brunswick
Team Ontario defeated Team New Brunswick in the Consolation Final – the final score was 12-4.
Bronze Medal Match:
Team Canada vs. Team Manitoba
In a dominant performance, Team Canada secured the Bronze Medal with a 9-1 victory over Team Manitoba.
Gold Medal Championship:
Team British Columbia vs. Team Nova Scotia
In a spectacular final, Team British Columbia claimed the Gold Medal and the Championship title with a 7-3 win over Nova Scotia.With this victory, Team British Columbia earned the title of Team Canada for the next CVICC.
Gold Medalist
British Columbia
Eric Rosen Rink from Prince George
Silver Medalist
Team Nova Scotia
Louise Gillis rink from Sydney
Bronze Medalist
Team Canada
Natalie Morin rink from Edmonton
Certificate and Award Winners
Certificate of Appreciation
Ann Marie Baldwin
Garth Nathasan
Gloria Anderson
John Marusiak
Linda LeFort
Sidney Francis
Yvon LeFort
All Star Team:
Ice Maker: Benito DeLorenzo
Sydney Curling Club
Sydney Pensioner’s Club
Tim Hortons
Good Sport Awards:
Christina Lewis
Joyce Wells
Terry Lynn MacDonald
Louise Gillis
Michelle Bartram
Most Improved Player Award:
Darcy Sherbrook (Skip for Team Saskatchewan)
Most Improved Team Award:
Team New Brunswick
Rose Barber Memorial Award for Most Inspirational Lead:
Mariam Hesselbart (Lead for Team Manitoba)
Michael Hayes Sportsperson Award:
Michael Vrooman (Team Nova Scotia)
2025 CVICC Participating Rinks: (Players in Photos are Listed from Left to Right)
TEAM BRITISH COLUMBIA, Prince George
(now Team Canada)
Coach/Guide: Leona Gervais
Second: Russell Gervais
Lead: Terry Pipkey
Skip: Eric Rosen
Third: Fraser Hiltz
Sweeper: Victor Santos
TEAM NOVA SCOTIA, Sydney
Coach/Guide: Sidney Francis
Sweeper: Anthony Shaw
Third: James Simmons
Lead: Mary Campbell
Second: Michael Vrooman
Skip: Louise Gillis
Guide: Amanda MacAulay
TEAM CANADA, Edmonton
(defending champions)
Second: Ann LaFontaine
Sweeper: Sharon Greswick
Lead: Lori Hysert
Third: Dave Erno
Skip: Natalie Morin
Coach/Guide: Mandy Collins
TEAM MANITOBA, Winnipeg
Sweeper: Matthew Hesselbart
Skip: Norm Lyons
Coach/Guide: Brian Fredrickson
Lead: Mariam Hesselbart
Second: Bill Liggins
Third: Hunter McLaughlin
TEAM ALBERTA, Edmonton
Skip: Bruce Macdonald
Lead: Richard Lefebvre
Third: Jim Haydon
Second: David Megyes
Sweeper: Ron Banks
Coach/Guide: Garth Klassen
TEAM ONTARIO, Toronto
Sweeper: Paul Hilts
Second: Dale Slingsby
Third: Craig Sherman
Spare/Lead: Robin East
Skip: Lloyd Pike
Coach/Guide: Lise Beaupre
Lead: Jasmine Schuchardt
TEAM NEW BRUNSWICK, Moncton
Coach: Tony Benoit
Third: Alexandre LeBlanc
Sweeper: Ian Van Schaick (behind Natalie)
Lead: Natalie Fougère (in front of Ian)
Skip: Denis LeBlanc
Second: Sylvie Roy
TEAM SASKATCHEWAN, Saskatoon
Skip: Darcy Sherbrook
Coach/Guide: Kirsten Rowe
Lead: Charlene Young
Third: Brennan Lane
Second: Murray Rudolph
Sweeper: Allison Gaunt
(All photos courtesy of Carol Ann Marusiak, Hazel Helen Shekooley, & Corry Stuive.)