Einarson &. Team Canada Dominate Opening Day at World Curling Championship
CALGARY, Alberta – Kerri Einarson and Team Canada kicked off the BKT Women’s World Curling Championship in Calgary with a resounding performance on Saturday, defeating Sweden 7-5 and following it up with an 11-3 rout of the United States. The victories, played in front of a lively crowd at the WinSport Event Centre – a stark contrast to the silent arenas of the 2021 championship – put Canada atop the round-robin standings at 2-0. Einarson expressed her joy at playing with fans, noting the difference from previous competitions, saying she gets “goosebumps” from the crowd’s support. Lead Karlee Burgess, in her first world championship appearance, described feeling “very lucky” to have the opportunity and emphasized the impact of the home crowd. The team will face China on Sunday in their only game of the day.
Kerri Einarson and Team Canada Dominate Opening Day at World Curling Championship
Calgary witnessed a triumphant return to form for Kerri Einarson and her Canadian curling team on Saturday, as they launched their bid for a world title with a pair of decisive victories at the BKT Women’s World Curling Championship.
A Contrast to Past Calgary Experiences
Canada secured a 7-5 win against Sweden in the afternoon draw, followed by an impressive 11-3 rout of the United States in the evening session, finishing the day atop the round-robin standings with a 2-0 record. Remarkably, this performance stands in stark contrast to Einarson’s previous experience at the 2021 world championship in Calgary, where a COVID-19 bubble environment and the unsettling sound of flushing toilets replaced the energy of a live crowd.
Did you know? The 2021 World Curling Championship in Calgary was held in a unique bubble environment due to the pandemic, significantly impacting the atmosphere for athletes.
Strategic Victory Over Sweden
The afternoon match against Sweden, skipped by Isabella Wrana, saw a back-and-forth battle. Sweden initially took a 2-0 lead, but Canada responded with resilience, tying the game at 3-3 by the fifth end. A crucial steal of two in the sixth end proved decisive, giving Canada a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard, and Karlee Burgess supported Einarson in this hard-fought victory.
Wrana, fresh off a gold medal performance at the Milan Cortina Olympics in mixed doubles, struggled to replicate that form, posting a 64% shooting percentage against Canada. “They played really well,” Wrana acknowledged. “We started off pretty great, and then I had some difficulties in the middle there, and that’s when they took their chances.”
Dominating Performance Against the United States
Canada’s evening game against the United States was a display of dominance. Einarson’s team built a significant lead, culminating in a four-steal in the seventh end, prompting the U.S. Team to concede the match after eight ends. Delaney Strouse, making her debut at the women’s world championship, faced a challenging outing, shooting at just 63%.
Burgess’s World Championship Debut and Family Support
This world championship marks the first appearance for 27-year-old Karlee Burgess, who expressed her excitement after a month-long wait following the earlier-than-usual Scotties Tournament of Hearts. “We came here on Tuesday,” Burgess said. “We practised, practised, practised. It’s finally here. So I was just super excited to receive going.”
Einarson as well draws motivation from her family, particularly her twin daughters, Khloe and Karmyn, who were cheering her on from the stands. “I’m always looking up at my girls, and they’re always smiling at me and giving me thumbs up,” Einarson shared. “So it’s pretty amazing.”
Looking Ahead: Canada Faces China
Canada’s schedule continues on Sunday with a single game against China. China opened with a 7-6 win over Scotland before falling 6-5 to Switzerland.
Pro Tip: In curling, patience and capitalizing on opponent’s mistakes are key to success, as demonstrated by Canada’s ability to regroup and secure steals in crucial ends.
Other Notable Results from Saturday
Turkey defeated Norway 8-7, while Japan overcame Switzerland 6-3 in other opening-day action. In the evening draw, South Korea dominated Italy with a 14-5 victory, and Denmark beat Australia 11-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the BKT Women’s World Curling Championship? It’s a 13-country tournament to determine the world champion in women’s curling.
- Where is the 2026 World Curling Championship being held? The championship is being held at the WinSport Event Centre in Calgary.
- Who won the previous two world titles? Rachel Homan’s team won back-to-back gold medals prior to this championship.
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