Canada’s Curling Woes: Olympic Hopefuls Struggle in Players’ Championship

CURTAIN CLOSED: PARIS, France – The stage is set for the Winter Olympics, and the pressure’s on for Canada’s top curling teams. Unfortunately, things aren’t going according to plan for Rachel Homan and Brad Jacobs at the Players’ Championship, effectively the last tournament before the Games.

Disappointing Showing for Canadians

After three days of competition in Steinbach, Man., both Canadian teams find themselves struggling. Homan and Jacobs have combined for just one win in seven games, nowhere near the form they’d hoped for heading into the Olympics. With just over a month until their respective first matches, time is running out for them to turn things around.

“If both were on their games, it’d be hard to argue against Canada winning double gold next month.”

But that’s not the case. In 33 days, Jacobs will face Germany, while Homan takes on Denmark on day 32 of the Games. If their games aren’t on track by then, it could spell disappointment for Canada’s curling fans.

Playoff Picture Coming into Focus

While the Canadians have struggled, other teams have made their mark. On the women’s side, Swiss squad Silvana Tirinzoni and American team Tabitha Peterson sit atop the standings at 3-0. Korean team Eun-ji Gim is also in a strong position at 3-1. On the men’s side, Scotland’s Kyle Waddell has clinched a playoff spot, while teammates Bruce Mouat, Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller, Italy’s Joel Retornaz, and China’s Xiaoming Xu are all 3-1.

Questions Linger for Canadian Curling

Day four of the tournament was particularly brutal for the Canadian contingent. Out of five games, they managed just one win, with Jacobs edging out Matt Dunstone. The other four games resulted in lopsided losses, with Canadian teams surrendering a combined 32 points while scoring only 11.

This follows a dismal performance at the last Grand Slam of Curling event, where no Canadian team reached the semifinals for the first time since the inception of Slams. With Dunstone, Homan, and Jennifer Jones still on the bubble for playoff spots, there’s no room for error as questions swirl about Canada’s curling future.

Waddell’s Dominant Day

One bright spot from Thursday was the play of Kyle Waddell. The Scottish skip went undefeated, recording wins over Brad Jacobs and Mike McEwen. In the morning game, Waddell made a stunning double takeout in the sixth end to seize control against Jacobs. In the afternoon, he dominated McEwen, making another fantastic double takeout in the second end and cruising to a 9-2 victory.

Sweeping Success

Earlier in the day, Tabitha Peterson narrowly avoided disaster when she executed a tricky open-house draw against Anna Hasselborg. Peterson’s sisters, Tara and Taylor, were on the brooms, sweeping the length of the ice to perfectly place the stone and secure two points.

Looking Ahead to the Playoffs

The battle for playoff spots continues on Sportsnet+ at 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT for Draw 13, with main coverage beginning on Sportsnet at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Canada’s Jennifer Jones and Kerri Einarson will both be in action, while Homan takes on Sweden’s Hasselborg later in the afternoon.

FAQ: What’s Next for Canada’s Curling Teams?

• Can Canada still medal in curling at the Olympics? It’s not impossible, but the teams will need to turn their form around quickly.
• Which Canadian teams are most likely to make the playoffs at the Players’ Championship? Jennifer Jones and Kerri Einarson have the best chance among the women, while Matt Dunstone and John Morris are most likely on the men’s side.
• How have other countries performed at the Players’ Championship? European teams, in particular, have shown strong form. Sweden’s Team Anna Hasselborg and Scotland’s Team Bruce Mouat are among the favorites.

Pro Tip: Can’t catch the action live? Check out our live blog for up-to-date scores and analysis throughout the tournament.

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