In order for Canada to participate at the 2023 Women’s World Curling Championships in Sandviken. Sweden next year, they had to qualify by placing in the top five in the first ever Pan Continental Curling Championship. The new event which started on Monday in Calgary, Alberta, has the top curling teams in Asia, North America, South America, and Oceania.
On Wednesday evening, the Canadian team skipped by Kerri Einarson of Gimli, Manitoba improved Canada’s record to five wins and zero losses by beating Brazil 10-2. The win guaranteed Canada a spot among the top half in the 10-team tournament. Canada’s other wins this week have been by scores of 11-6 over Australia, 8-1 over Hong Kong, 12-1 over Kazakhstan, and 11-3 over New Zealand.
The win over Australia was significant. That is because the Australian curling program is on the rise. At the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, the Canadian team of Rachel Homan of Ottawa, Ontario and John Morris of Winnipeg, Manitoba failed to reach the semifinals in mixed doubles. A major reason why is because they were beaten 10-8 by the Australian duo of Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt.
On the men’s side, Canada has already qualified for the World Championship because the 2023 World Men’s Curling Championships are in Ottawa, Ontario. However, Canada needed to finish in the top seven to qualify for the A Division of the 2022 Pan Continental Curling Championship. Currently, the Canadian team represented by Brad Gushue of St. John’s, Newfoundland has a record of three wins and one loss.
