Canada’s top curling teams are currently focused on the Olympic trials. The trials, set for November in Halifax, will determine the men’s and women’s teams that will represent Canada at the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy. Notably, Canada’s most recent Olympic gold medals in team curling were secured in 2014 in Sochi, Russia, with victories by teams led by Jennifer Jones and Brad Jacobs.
At the PointsBet Invitational this week, seven of the eight men’s teams and seven of the eight women’s teams, who are bound for the Halifax trials, are participating. The event has been modified to simulate the trials’ competitive atmosphere, offering each team four round-robin games in Calgary, with the finals scheduled at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre on Sunday.
This year’s PointsBet Invitational differs from its previous format, providing a more extensive competition with the men’s and women’s fields featuring 10 teams each divided into two pools. The top team from each pool will advance to the championship games, competing for a prize purse of $300,000. Curling Canada has reduced the number of participating teams from 32 to 20 for this edition.
While 14 teams have already secured trials berths, the remaining six will compete in the Home Hardware Canadian pre-trials in Wolfville, N.S. from October 20 to 26 to vie for the remaining spots.
‘A few more games makes sense’
For many teams, this year’s PointsBet serves as a valuable preparation for the upcoming trials. “It makes a lot of sense to get a few more games in,” stated Matt Dunstone, emphasizing the importance of gaining familiarity with the competition environment ahead of the trials in Halifax.
During the event, various matches took place, with notable outcomes including Brad Jacobs losing to Kevin Koe, Mike McEwen defeating Sam Mooibroek, and Rachel Homan emerging victorious over Beth Peterson. The PointsBet’s transition from a March Madness format to a more traditional structure has enabled teams to hone their skills and strategize effectively for the trials.
‘Important year for Curling Canada’
Curling Canada’s focus on maximizing teams’ preparation for the upcoming trials is evident in its decision to streamline the competition format and provide teams with more game opportunities on arena ice in Calgary. This year is crucial for Curling Canada, as teams gear up for the Montana’s Curling Trials in November. The alignment of the playing conditions in Calgary with those in Wolfville and Halifax aims to offer teams a consistent and beneficial training experience.
By incorporating a NextGen component, Curling Canada has ensured the inclusion of promising young talent in the PointsBet, reinforcing the event’s significance as a platform for developing future curling stars. Brad Gushue, a seasoned curler with a rich history of success, emphasizes the high stakes associated with the trials in November, highlighting the pivotal role these competitions play in determining a team’s success and legacy within the sport.
Gushue, a six-time national champion, recognizes the intensity of the trials and the impact they have on a team’s overall performance and reputation. As he embarks on his final competitive season, Gushue underscores the trials’ significance in defining a team’s success and legacy in the sport.