The 2022 Winter Olympics are fast approaching and preparations are already underway to select the men's and women's curling teams that will represent Canada in Beijing in February.
Before the Olympic Trials commence in November, several events will be held in September and October to determine who will hit the sheets.
Two events will take place concurrently in Ottawa between Sept. 22 and 26: the Canadian Curling Trials Direct-Entry Event and the Canadian Curling Pre-Trials Direct-Entry. Winners of the direct-entry event go directly to the trials; winners of the pre-trials direct-entry event and the losing teams in the direct-entry event go to the Home Hardware Pre-Trials.
"These are new events that fit our mandate of trying to be as inclusive as possible for as many teams as possible to be part of the Olympic qualifying process as we come out of the pandemic," said Curling Canada CEO Katherine Henderson. "These unique circumstances — especially still not knowing definitively how the competitive landscape will look in the fall — demanded a unique approach, and we believe it will, in the end, produce teams that are worthy of wearing the Maple Leaf in Beijing."
MORE: How do teams qualify for 2021 Tim Hortons Curling Olympic Trials?
For the pre-trials direct-entry event, eight men's and eight women's teams will compete for two spots apiece in the Home Hardware Pre-Trials set for Oct. 26-31. Among the rinks competing is Team Laurie St-Georges; the up-and-coming Laval, Que., crew made a charge at the Scotties but lost in the championship pool.
Here's everything you need to know for the 2021 Canadian Curling Pre-Trials Direct-Entry Event:
When is the Canadian Curling Pre-Trials Direct-Entry Event?
The tournament begins Wednesday, Sept. 22, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 26.
Where is the Canadian Curling Pre-Trials Direct-Entry Event?
The tournament is taking place in Ottawa, Ont., at the RA Centre, a converted ice hockey rink. Five sheets will be utilized in the first curling event at the facility.
What teams are competing at the 2021 Canadian Curling Pre-Trials Direct-Entry Event?
Eight men's and eight women's teams will compete in a triple-knockout draw. Two men's teams and two women's teams will head to the Home Hardware Pre-Trials in October.
Women’s teams:
- Abby Ackland (Winnipeg, Man.)
- *Jill Brothers (Halifax, N.S.)
- *Kerry Galusha (Yellowknife, N.W.T.)
- Ashley Howard (Saskatoon, Sask.)
- Lauren Mann (Ottawa, Ont.)
- Jessie Hunkin (formerly Team Robyn Silvernagle) (North Battleford, Sask.)
- Laurie St-Georges (Laval, Que.)
- Sarah Wark (Abbotsford, B.C.)
Men's teams:
- Corey Chambers (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Jacques Gauthier (Winnipeg, Man.)
- *Sean Grassie (Winnipeg, Man.)
- William Lyburn (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Shaun Meachem (Saskatoon, Sask.)
- *Vincent Roberge (Etchemin, Que.)
- JT Ryan (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Ryan Wiebe (Winnipeg, Man.)
Team Steve Laycock declined its berth.
*Qualified for the Home Hardware Pre-Trials in October
2021 WORLD CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS: Women | Men
Are fans allowed at the 2021 Canadian Curling Pre-Trials Direct-Entry Event?
Curling Canada has opted to not allow fans into the building for the event due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and a short lead-up time.
What channel is the 2021 Canadian Curling Pre-Trials Direct-Entry Event on?
The event will not be broadcast on television; however, Curling Canada will be live streaming games on its YouTube channel.
CANADA CURLING:
Einarson, Canada win Scotties | Bottcher, Alberta win Brier | Einarson, Gushue win mixed doubles
Who has represented Canada in the Olympics?
Curling has only been an official Olympic sport since the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. Canada failed to win any medals for the first time in Olympic competition in men's and women's since the sport's introduction. Canada did win gold in mixed doubles (in the sport's Olympic debut).
Women
Pyeongchang 2018: Rachel Homan (skip), Emma Miskew, Joanne Courtney, Lisa Weagle, Cheryl Bernard
Sochi 2014: Jennifer Jones (skip), Kaitlyn Lawes, Jill Officer, Dawn McEwen, Kirsten Wall
Vancouver 2010: Cheryl Bernard (skip), Susan O'Connor, Carolyn Darbyshire, Cori Bartel, Kristie Moore
Turin 2006: Shannon Kleibrink (skip), Amy Nixon, Glenys Bakker, Christine Keshen, Sandra Jenkins
Salt Lake City 2002: Kelly Law (skip), Julie Skinner, Georgina Wheatcroft, Diane Nelson, Cheryl Noble
Nagano 1998: Sandra Schmirler (skip), Jan Betker, Joan McCusker, Marcia Gudereit, Atina Ford
Medals: Gold (2014, 1998); silver (2010); bronze (2006, 2002)
Men
Pyeongchang 2018: Kevin Koe (skip), Marc Kennedy, Brent Laing, Ben Hebert, Scott Pfeiffer
Sochi 2014: Brad Jacobs (skip), Ryan Fry, E.J. Harnden, Ryan Harnden, Caleb Flaxey
Vancouver 2010: Kevin Martin (skip), John Morris, Marc Kennedy, Ben Hebert, Adam Enright
Turin 2006: Brad Gushue (skip), Mark Nichols, Russ Howard, Jamie Korab, Mike Adam
Salt Lake City 2002: Kevin Martin (skip), Don Walchuk, Carter Rycroft, Don Bartlett, Ken Tralnberg
Nagano 1998: Mike Harris (skip), Richard Hart, Collin Mitchell, George Karrys, Paul Savage
Medals: Gold (2014, 2010, 2006); silver (2002, 1998)
2021 Canadian Curling Pre-Trials Direct-Entry Event schedule, results
The Canadian Curling Trials Direct-Entry Event will be occurring at the same time on the empty sheets.
Draw 1 (Sept. 22, noon ET)
Sheet A - A1 (Men's)
Team Chambers — 7
Team Lyburn — 5
Sheet B - A2 (Men's)
Team Ryan — 4
Team Grassie — 3
Sheet C - A1 (Women's)
Team Jones — 4
Team Howard — 8
Sheet D - A3 (Men's)
Team Gauthier — 7
Team Meachem — 9 F/11
Sheet E - A4 (Men's)
Team Wiebe — 6
Team Roberge — 9
Draw 2 (Sept. 22, 3:30 p.m. ET)
Sheet A - A4 (Women's)
Team Mann — 2
Team Hunkin — 12
Sheet D - A3 (Women's)
Team St-Georges — 8
Team Brothers — 4
Sheet E - A2 (Women's)
Team Galusha — 10
Team Wark — 4
Draw 4 (Sept. 23, 8 a.m. ET)
Sheet A - B2 (Men's)
Team Gauthier — 8
Team Wiebe — 6
Sheet B - B1 (Women's)
Team Jones — 11
Team Wark — 3
Sheet C - B2 (Women's)
Team Brothers — 6
Team Mann — 8
Sheet D - A5 (Women's)
Team Howard — 4
Team Galusha — 9
Sheet E - B1 (Men's)
Team Grassie — 4
Team Lyburn — 6
Draw 5 (Sept. 23, noon ET)
Sheet A - A6 (Men's)
Team Meachem — 3
Team Roberge — 7
Sheet D - A5 (Men's)
Team Chambers — 7
Team Ryan — 1
Sheet E - A6 (Women's)
Team St-Georges — 2
Team Hunkin — 11
Draw 6 (Sept. 23, 4 p.m. ET)
Sheet A - B4 (Women's)
Team Mann — 7
Team Howard — 5
Draw 7 (Sept. 23, 8 p.m. ET)
Sheet A - B3 (Men's)
Team Meachem
Team Lyburn
Sheet D - B3 (Women's)
Team Jones — 6
Team St-Georges — 5
Sheet E - B4 (Men's)
Team Gauthier — 7
Team Ryan — 8
Draw 8 (Sept. 24, 8 a.m. ET)
Sheet A - C2 (Women's)
Team Brothers — 8
Team St-Georges — 5
Sheet B - C2 (Men's)
Team Wiebe — 9
Team Lyburn — 5
Sheet C - C1 (Men's)
Team Grassie — 7
Team Gauthier — 3
Draw 9 (Sept. 24, noon ET)
Sheet A - C1 (Women's)
Team Wark — 7
Team Howard — 9
Draw 10 (Sept. 24, 4 p.m. ET)
Sheet A - A7 (Women's)
Team Galusha — 6
Team Hunkin — 5
Sheet B - B5 (Men's)
Team Meachem — 5
Team Ryan — 7
Sheet C - B5 (Women's)
Team Jones — 8
Team Mann — 6
Sheet D - C3 (Men's)
Team Grassie — 7 F/11
Team Wiebe — 6
Sheet E - A7 (Men's)
Team Chambers — 4
Team Roberge — 7
Draw 11 (Sept. 24, 8 p.m. ET)
Sheet A - C3 (Women's)
Team Howard — 4
Team Brothers — 7
Draw 12 (Sept. 25, 9 a.m. ET)
Sheet A - C4 (Men's)
Team Meachem — 5
Team Grassie — 7
Sheet B - B6 (Women's)
Team Jones — 3
Team Hunkin — 11
Sheet C - B6 (Men's)
Team Chambers — 2
Team Ryan — 6
Sheet E - C4 (Women's)
Team Brothers — 10
Team Mann — 6
Draw 14 (Sept. 25, 5 p.m. ET)
Sheet C - D1 (Women's)
Team Hunkin — 8
Team Galusha — 9 F/11
*Team Galusha qualifies for October's Home Hardware Pre-Trials
Sheet D - C5 (Women's)
Team Brothers — 10
Team Jones — 4
Sheet E - C5 (Men's)
Team Chambers — 5
Team Grassie — 6
Draw 15 (Sept. 25, 9 p.m. ET)
Sheet A - D1 (Men's)
Team Roberge — 5
Team Ryan — 4
*With the win, Team Roberge has qualified for October's Home Hardware Pre-Trials
Draw 16 (Sept. 26, 10 a.m. ET)
Sheet D - D2 (Women's)
Team Hunkin — 6
Team Brothers — 8
*With the win, Team Brothers has qualified for October's Home Hardware Pre-Trials
Draw 17 (Sept. 26, 1:30 p.m. ET)
Sheet A - D2 (Men's)
Team Grassie — 7 F/11
Team Ryan — 6
*With the win, Team Grassie has qualified for October's Home Hardware Pre-Trials