Curling news: Reid Carruthers chases three-peat in PointsBet Invitational [Video]

CALGARY –

Reid Carruthers seeks a three-peat in curling’s quirky PointsBet Invitational that’s become an unofficial season kickoff because of money, field and visibility.

The five-day televised tournament starting Wednesday at Calgary’s WinSport Arena features the top 10 men’s and women’s teams in Canada among the 32 entries. The men’s and women’s victors Sunday each earn a total of $50,000 in prize money.

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Winnipeg’s Carruthers was the men’s champ in both the inaugural PointsBet in Fredericton in 2022, and in Oakville, Ont., last year.

What makes Curling Canada’s cashspiel quirky is the single-elimination format, the tiebreaking draw to the button instead of an extra end, and junior, university, college and club teams mixing with curling’s elite.

“I categorize this as still a new event,” Carruthers said. “It is a slightly different format with it being single-elimination, draw to the button for the win, no extra end.

“It’s a little bit different, but …