A curling competition of global proportions gets underway today (Thursday) at the Langley Events Centre.

The World Financial Group Continental Cup runs Jan. 12-15 (today to Sunday) at the LEC, 7888 200th St.

To accommodate the eighth edition of this unique international curling event, the glass has been removed from along the boards inside the LEC's arena bowl, and the ice surface, normally used for hockey in the fall, winter, and early spring, has been transformed into a giant curling rink including three separate sheets.

As well, the LEC triple gymnasium has been converted into an entertainment centre.

The Continental Cup features six teams from North America versus six teams representing the world in a variety of disciplines - team games, mixed doubles, singles, mixed skins, and skins - during the four days.

Each segment awards points for wins (or ties), with the first side to reach 201 points declared the winner.

Currently, Team North America holds a 4-3 edge over Team World since the inaugural Continental Cup was contested in 2002 in Regina. The sides have alternated winning ever since the first edition.

North America won in 2002, 2004 (in Medicine Hat, Alta.), 2007 (in Medicine Hat) and 2011 (in St. Albert, Alta.).

Team World (then Team Europe) won in 2003 (in Thunder Bay, Ont.), 2006 (in Chilliwack) and 2008 (in Camrose, Ont.).

There were no Continental Cups in 2005, 2009 and 2010.

Team games, at eight ends only, will be played today (Thursday) and Friday, as will two mixed doubles sessions.

Saturday, the 20-point and 30-point skins games, including mixed skins, will be held, along with the singles competition.

Sunday, the women's (at 10: 30 a.m.) and men's (5 p.m.) 55point skins games will be contested.

For up-to-the-minute draw results, visit www.curling.ca.

A high profile figure in the world of curling is holding the reins for this year's event.

Neil Houston previously served as the sport venue manager for curling at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

As event manager for the Continental Cup, Houston is now stationed at the LEC.

"We're really looking forward to it," Houston told the Langley Advance Jan. 7. "It's the most unique event on the calendar because of the number of disciplines and the men and women playing together, and the combined teams. That adds itself to a different flavour, and to be bringing another curling event to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland area is always good, as well. It keeps a high profile of the sport."

Houston said three staff members, including himself, have worked day-to-day to put the event together, along with 25 contractors (such as marketing, sponsorship, and ticket managers), and approximately 275 volunteers.

Houston said the Langley Curling Club, site of the 2007 B.C. men's curling championships, was looking to host another high profile event.

"They wanted to showcase the Township of Langley and promote curling, promote membership in their club, and the other clubs in the Lower Mainland," Houston related.

The LEC is a "great" venue for the Continental Cup, in Houston's opinion: "The way it's set up and the way it's been designed, lends itself to a lot of room, so we can do everything under one [roof]."

The triple gymnasium will be party central during the event.

"The Patch" is an entertainment centre featuring live bands, games, food and beverages.

"We're a social sport, so that's part of the equation," Houston said.

The excitement was palpable in the curling community as the event drew closer, Houston said.

"I know there's volunteers that were volunteering at the Olympics, there's people from out of province coming in, so it's all great," Houston said.

With the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Houston had 60 staff members under him on a permanent basis, 150 contractors, and 1,500 volunteers.

"So it [the Olympics] was just. bigger," Houston said, comparing the Winter Games to the Continental Cup.

As for this weekend's competition, Houston commented, "There's pride on the line, here. With Team World being down one right now. they arrive Monday night and they are having two practice sessions on Tuesday before the official practices begin on Wednesday, so that tells me that they're taking this event very seriously."

The teams won't just be playing for patriotic pride, there's quite a bit of cash at stake as well. The winning side receives $52,000 ($2,000 per member, including captain and coach), while the losing side gets $26,000 ($1,000 per member, including captain and coach).

As well, the side that wins the final men's skins game will receive an additional $13,000.

For ticket information, call 1-855-532-8497 or visit www. curling.ca/championships/continentalcup/tickets.

. More online, including information about the teams and curlers, online at www.langleyadvance.com, click on "News"

tlandreville@langleyadvance.com