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There are various significant events happening in the sports world. Here are some highlights:
Curling: Commencement of Canadian Olympic trials
Top men’s and women’s teams in Canada have gathered in Halifax to determine who will represent the country in the four-player curling events at the winter Olympics in Italy this February. Round-robin matches kick off on Saturday, with the tournaments concluding in the best-of-three finals next week.
Rachel Homan is heavily favored to triumph in the women’s trials following her unbeaten streak in the last two Canadian championships and consecutive world titles. Her team has dominated this season, winning all three Grand Slam events and not losing to a Canadian opponent for over a year.
The men’s trials are expected to be fiercely competitive. Reigning national champion and 2014 Olympic gold medalist Brad Jacobs, alongside Matt Dunstone, who Jacobs defeated in the Brier final last season, are the top contenders. Dunstone’s team, featuring two of Jacobs’ former teammates, has been the leading Canadian men’s foursome on the Grand Slam tour this season.
If you missed the previous newsletter, you can read our analytics-informed preview of the trials here.
Hockey: Launch of PWHL’s third season
The Professional Women’s Hockey League kicks off its season with an exciting doubleheader. The Toronto Sceptres face the back-to-back Water Cup champions Minnesota Frost, while the Vancouver Goldeneyes host the Seattle Torrent at the sold-out Pacific Coliseum.
This weekend, the Ottawa Charge, runner-up in the Walter Cup, will host New York Sirens led by Rookie of the Year Sarah Fillier. Reigning league MVP Marie-Philip Poulin and the Montreal Victoire will face the Boston Fleet. Poulin and Fillier will aim to secure Canada’s second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the upcoming Games.
The new expansion teams have made significant moves by signing top players, enhancing their competitiveness right from the start. Seattle acquired reigning league scoring champion Hilary Knight, while Vancouver added star forward Sarah Nurse and Defender of the Year finalists Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques.
Explore how the Goldeneyes were formed here, and discover five things to watch in the PWHL season here.
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