1997 Labatt Brier

1997 Labatt Brier
Host cityCalgary, Alberta
ArenaCanadian Airlines Saddledome
DatesMarch 8–15
Attendance223,322
Winner Alberta
Curling clubOttewell CC, Edmonton
SkipKevin Martin
ThirdDon Walchuk
SecondRudy Ramcharan
LeadDon Bartlett
AlternateJules Owchar
Finalist Manitoba (Vic Peters)
« 1996
1998 »

The 1997 Labatt Brier was held from March 8 to 15 at the Canadian Airlines Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. Kevin Martin of Alberta defeated Vic Peters of Manitoba in the final in front of a sell-out crowd of 17,024. It was the largest one-day attendance at any curling event in history up to that point and the Brier's total attendance of 223,322 was a record.[1] In the tenth end of the final, Alberta led 9–8, without hammer. Team Martin played for the steal, throwing up numerous guards. On his last stone, Peters missed a six-foot angle raise double takeout, giving Alberta the steal, and losing the game. It was the first Brier Alberta won on home ice since 1961. The win qualified the Martin rink to represent Canada at the 1997 World Men's Curling Championship as well as a spot in the 1997 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials.[2]

  1. ^ "Alberta team jubilant after record-setting Brier". Calgary Herald. March 17, 1997. p. A1. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  2. ^ "Martin rides Brier roller-coaster to win". Edmonton Journal. March 17, 1997. p. D1. Retrieved March 13, 2021.