-'I just want to hold on to this a few minutes'-

OSOYOOS TIMES-January 28, 2009-

By Diane Zorn
Special to the Osoyoos Times

Ron Trottier of Osoyoos was visibly nervous as he stepped onto the sheet of ice at the BDO Classic Canadian Open in Winnipeg on Jan. 25.
At stake was one million dollars.
If his luck held and he placed one rock in the center circle over the button, he would win the money.
Ron had already beaten out thousands of curling fans who had entered the Capital One Million Dollar Button contest by winning a shot at the cash.
And his luck was still holding when he beat out four other contenders from across Canada in a semi-final match on Jan. 24 by putting his rock closest to the button.
The final big event took place on Jan. 25, live on CBC during a break following four ends of curling between Kevin Martin and Glenn Howard during the BDO Classic Canadian Open, which is the third leg of the men's 2008-2009 Capital One Grand Slam of Curling series.
Both skips were on hand to offer their encouragement and advice to Ron, who has curled for more than 20 years.
Take lots of boom, suggested Kevin, while Howard said, Concentrate.
The CBC announcer asked Ron, How does it feel and what are your plans to make this shot?
His reply was, No plans, just to get the rock down the ice.rnRon's wife, Louise, tried to soothe her husband's nerves.
Just relax and focus, she said.
She told the audience that her husband would be retiring if he won the million dollars.
Drawing a deep breath, Ron aimed and released his rock.
Although it did not stop on the button, the well-placed rock held onto the eight-foot white circle about 89 centimetres from the button, giving Ron a win of $10,000.
Before waving the large check over his head for the cheering crowd, Ron remarked, It has been exciting. I just want to hold on to this a few minutes before my wife gets it!rnRon, who is the custodian for the Osoyoos International Curling Club was unavailable for comment before press time as he was travelling home to Osoyoos from Winnipeg.
Last fall, Ron had entered his name in an online contest put on by Capital One Financial Corp. and he was told on Jan. 7 that he had won an all-expenses-paid trip to Winnipeg to take a shot at winning $1 million.
As the curling game continued, Howards' Ontario team took home the Grand Slam championship when he finished the last end by taking three points to topple World Champion Martin by a score of 8-4.
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