The Canadian Team Ranking System, the point allocation protocol that has governed curler’s lives for the last three years is especially important in this the last year of the Olympic cycle. The John Shea Insurance Canada Cup Qualifier that started yesterday at the Rideau and Ottawa curling clubs is a big part of this curling spelling bee.

Plenty of high profile rinks from across the country have descended on traffic -snarled Ottawa.

Despite already having attained a spot in the Pre-Trials tournament, Alberta’s Shannon Kleibrink is here. The Torino bronze medalist is having a banner season. But is this three year cycle a long grind?

“We’re used to it now. Actually it’s been more than three years because we did it for the last Olympics so it’s more like seven years.” Does the team get tired of playing? “We don’t get sick of it until about March.”

Many top teams plan their season far in advance. “We have to be here,” she said. “We have to stay ahead of the teams who are just behind us right now in the CTRS standing.” Many of the competing rinks have little experience competing at two clubs in one bonspiel. Kleibrink concurs. “The challenge is playing at two different clubs and getting used to the ice early. It might not be a problem but ask me that two days from now.”

Rachel Homan’s local team is one team that must to do well if they hope to clinch a Pre-Trails berth. In her initial game Homan threw a crowd pleasing, tough double to score two to tie Winnipeg’s Karen Porritt. Homan failed to steal when the Manitoba skip cleared Homan’s shot rock to score one. Team Homan takes the ice today at the Rideau at 11:15.

Other match-up see Jennifer Jones against Suzanne Birt (Gaudet) from PEI at 8 a.m. at the Ottawa. B.C.’s Kelly Scott faces Regina’s Chantelle Eberle at the Rideau at 11:15.

Former Ottawa native and lead for Jennifer Jones, Dawn Askin who now resides in Winnipeg is glad to be back in town. “It’s great being back. I’ve seen so many old friends. This is the first time I’ve played here since I moved to Winnipeg.” Team Jones is the only women’s squad that has a Trials berth. “We just like to play. We like to get better.” said Askin.  Her Winnipeg boyfriend, Mike McEwen, is coincidentally fighting for a qualifying spot in the Edmonton equivalent of this event.

Theresa Breen who threw third for Ottawa’s Anne Merklinger is here with Team Mary-Anne Arsenault from Nova Scotia.

WHAT’S AT STAKE:  First place awards 36 points down to 14 points for a ninth to thirteenth place finish. While points are the event’s carrot there is a substantial pot of money involved - $65,200 in total. The winner cashes out with $12,000 down to each qualifier carrying home $3,000.

JSI JOTS: Young local competitive curler Ronald Johnson (RJ) is a big fan of Jennifer Jones. When he attended last fall’s Team Glenn Howard curling camp he was flabbergasted when Jones stepped onto the ice as a guest instructor. When Jones got to the Ottawa to practice she signed a placard that indicated that RJ had won a curling event. She inscribed it “Congrats. I guess you learned something at the camp.”…Event passes are $30 and available at both the Ottawa and Rideau venues. Day passes allow you to fit the draws into your schedule…Today’s draws at both clubs are at 8, 11:15, 2:30, 5:45 and 9 p.m.