The excitement is building for the Mixed Doubles Curling Trials which will be coming to Portage la Prairie in January. Portage Regional Recreation Authority General Manager David Sattler says CBC Sports will be the broadcaster for this event, so all the draws will be live-streamed at cbc.ca. Sattler notes in addition the Saturday and Sunday events will be broadcast nationally on CBC television, which means the city of Portage will be getting some great exposure all across the country.

He says the title sponsor is CanadInns, adding the company has had a rich history as a supporter of curling for many years and at the grassroots level they were one of the first groups to hold sanctioned events for mixed doubles. Sattler notes it's wonderful to have a local business supporting an event of this size.

He adds the first eighteen teams have qualified for the trials and there are some very familiar names, including Jennifer Jones, Rachel Homan, and Reid Carruthers. Sattler says while a large number of curlers have been confirmed, they won't know exactly who's coming until after the Roar Of The Rings trials for the foursomes are completed in Ottawa next month. He notes it is safe to say, however, that between January 2nd and the 7th we're going to have some world-class curlers here competing for a chance to go to the Olympics.