Gates, Long and Spellman Victorious at the Falls
The 2024 Championship Darts Circuit continued over the weekend, with North America’s finest dart players congregating in Niagara Falls, NY, for Main Events 9, 10, and 11.
Saturday afternoon saw Leonard Gates win the Cosmo Darts Championship, defeating Adam Sevada 7-4 in the finals. Gates averaged 86.61 in Event 9, connecting on 37% of his finishes in his victories over Jeff McDonald, Stephen Krikorian (against whom he trailed 3-0 before storming back to win in a last-leg decider), Keith Way, Nick Linberg, Jim Long, and then Adam Sevada. The win was Gates’ third title of 2024 and 11th overall CDC Main Event crown – putting more daylight between he and Larry Butler who holds the second most titles with nine.
Saturday night’s contest, the CDC Bash at the Border, ended with Jim Long securing his second title this month, outlasting Jacob Taylor 7-3 in the finale. The victory, coming in a weekend that the London, Ontario man was originally planning not to attend because of other commitments, vaulted Long up to second on the Order of Merit for Canadian players. Long had to fight through the likes of an in-form Jeff Springer, Jake MacMillan, and Event #3 champion, Gary Mawson, to hoist the trophy.
The CDC Galaxy Grand Prix, Main Event #11, wrapped up the weekend on Sunday afternoon. Alex Spellman defeated fellow American, Stowe Buntz, 7-4 to return to the winners’ circle. With Buntz up 3-2, Spellman won 4 straight legs to pull ahead, before taking the title with a brilliant 12-darter in the eleventh leg. Spellman averaged 86.23 with 10 180s.
Main Event 9 – The Cosmo Darts Championship
Finals
Leonard Gates 7-4 Adam Sevada
Semifinals
Adam Sevada 7-2 Alex Spellman
Leonard Gates 7-4 Jim Long
Main Event 10 – The CDC Bash at the Border
Finals
Jim Long 7-3 Jacob Taylor
Semifinals
Jacob Taylor 7-5 Kiley Edmunds
Jim Long 7-4 Gary Mawson
Main Event 11 – The Galaxy Grand Prix
Finals
Alex Spellman 7-4 Stowe Buntz
Semifinals
Alex Spellman 7-5 Adam Sevada
Stowe Buntz 7-4 Leonard Gates
The Championship Darts Corporations main circuit concludes September 20-22, in Brownsburg, IN. The final weekend will feature Main Events number 12, 13, and 14, and points earned will decide the CDC participants in the 2024 CDC Continental Cup, as well the 2025 PDC World Championship.
Article by Brian Fraser
August 26, 2024