Kerri Einarson of Gimli, Manitoba skipped Team Canada to an impressive 9-4 win over Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg in their opening game of the 2023 Women’s World Curling Championship in Sandviken, Sweden on Saturday. It was an impressive finish for Einarson, as Team Canada scored the last seven points of the contest, as they trailed 4-2 after seven ends.
The win was also impressive when you consider the fact that Hasselborg won the gold medal at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang and is a seven-time grand slam champion on the World Curling Tour. Her grand slam championships came at the 2018 Elite 10 in Chatham, Ontario, the 2018 Masters in Truro, Nova Scotia, the 2019 Boost National in Conception Bay, Newfoundland, the 2019 Tour Challenge in Westville Road, Nova Scotia, the 2020 Meridian Canadian Open in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. the 2021 Boost National in Chestermere, Alberta, and the 2022 Players’ Championship in Toronto, Ontario.
Einarson is a five-time grand slam champion herself. She has won the 2016 Boost National in Sault. Ste. Marie, Ontario, the 2019 Players’ Championship in Toronto, Ontario, the 2021 Players’ Championship in Calgary, Alberta, the 2022 Champions Cup in Olds, Alberta, and the 2022 Masters in Oakville, Ontario.
It will now be interesting to see if Sweden will be able to bounce back from their opening day loss. Sweden did beat New Zealand 14-2 in their opening game. The Swedes do have home ice advantage.
