Team Cinnamon has earned a berth in the U18 women's curling provincials after a solid performance at the southern Alberta qualifier at the Calgary Curling Club, Feb. 1-3.

The Cochrane rink won four of their five games in the weekend triple knockout tournament to claim the 'B' qualifier. Their only loss was in a game that came down to the final rock in an extra end.  

It was Subasthika Thangadurai's rink, of the Calgary Winter Club, that went on to win the 'A' qualifier. The Cinnamon squad has faced Team Thangadurai several times this season and it's the second time play has gone into an extra end. The Cinnamon Rink came out on top in previous matchups against them in both the U21 qualifier and the Canada Winter Games trials.

Team Bakker, of the Calgary Curling Club, won the 'C' qualifier event to also advance to the provincials, being hosted by Medicine Hat from Mar. 14 to 17. Eight women's teams in total will be in the running.

In their second year together, skip Zoe Cinnamon, third Justine Hagey, second Raelyn Helston and lead Elspeth Cooper continue to develop into a top contending junior team. They recently played in the U21 provincial championship and were one of the four finalists in a bid to represent Alberta in the upcoming Canada Winter Games.

"We've done pretty well," says skip Zoe Cinnamon. "We're pretty proud of what we have accomplished."

This was their second crack at qualifying for the U18 provincials.and making the cut was one of their ambitions for the season. 

No other bonspiels are on the horizon for the team before the provincial, but they'll continue to prepare with twice-weekly practices as well as individual play.

Cinnamon and teammate Chris Pratt, of Calgary, are preparing for the mixed doubles provincials being hosted in Dawson Creek, B.C. next weekend The two compete in the Cochrane mixed double league.

Team Wipf loses a close one in 'A' Final

In the boys U18 southern Alberta qualifier, Team Wipf won their first two games to advance to the 'A' final. They were eliminated in a close 4-2 game that came down to the last rock against Team Kroker.

It's been a solid season of play for the Cochrane rink of skip Kenan Wipf, third Connor Boudreau, second Ky Macaulay and lead Kyle Fukami. Earlier in the season, they won the U18 boys event of the Cochrane Junior Bonspiel. 

The team will continue to practice for the next month and will be finishing their season at Edmonton's Marc Kennedy bonspiel.