The road to the 2022 Winter Olympics rolls on as another curling pre-trials event gets underway for the men and women hoping to represent Canada in Beijing in February. Before the final selection at the November Olympic Trials can commence, 28 rinks will compete for the final two men's and two women's spots at the 2021 Home Hardware Curling Pre-Trials.
Two events were held in September to finalize the field: the Canadian Curling Trials Direct-Entry Event and the Canadian Curling Pre-Trials Direct-Entry. Winners of the direct-entry event were slotted directly into the trials; winners of the pre-trials direct-entry event and the losing teams in the direct-entry event earned a chance to advance this week.
MORE: How do teams qualify for 2021 Tim Hortons Curling Olympic Trials?
Among the players competing is four-time world champion skip Glenn Howard on the men's side. Krista McCarville, skip of her Thunder Bay, Ont., rink, will be competing in her fourth pre-trials, moving her to the top of the all-time women's pre-trials appearances list.
Here's everything you need to know for the 2021 Canadian Curling Pre-Trials:
When is the 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Pre-Trials?
The tournament begins Monday, Oct. 25, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 31.
Where is the 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Pre-Trials?
The tournament is taking place in Liverpool, N.S., at the Queens Place Emera Centre.
What teams are competing at the 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Pre-Trials?
Fourteen women's and 14 men's teams will compete in round-robin draws before a playoff. Broken up into four pools (two women's, two men's), the top three teams from each pool will advance to the playoffs.
Women’s teams:
- *Corryn Brown (Kamloops, B.C.)
- *Suzanne Birt (Charlottetown, P.E.I.)
- Mackenzie Zacharias (Altona, Man.)
- Beth Peterson (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Jestyn Murphy (Mississauga, Ont.)
- Sherry Anderson (Martensville, Sask.)
- Hollie Duncan (Woodstock, Ont.)
- Krista McCarville (Thunder Bay, Ont.)
- Penny Barker (Moose Jaw, Sask.)
- Darcy Robertson (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Danielle Inglis (Mississauga, Ont.)
- Jacqueline Harrison (Dundas, Ont.)
- ^Kerry Galusha (Yellowknife, N.W.T.)
- ^Jill Brothers (Halifax, N.S.)
Men's teams:
- *Jason Gunnlaugson (Morris, Man.)
- *Colton Flasch (Saskatoon, Sask.)
- *Glenn Howard (Penetanguishene, Ont.)
- Pat Simmons (Winnipeg Beach, Man.)
- Tanner Horgan (Kingston, Ont.)
- Braden Calvert (Winnipeg, Man.)
- Tyler Tardi (Langley, B.C.)
- Jeremy Harty (Calgary, Alta.)
- Karsten Sturmay (Edmonton, Alta.)
- Pat Ferris (Grimsby, Ont.)
- Paul Flemming (Halifax, N.S.)
- Michael Fournier (Montreal, Que.)
- ^Vincent Roberge (Saint-Romuald, Que.)
- ^Sean Grassie (Morris, Man.)
*Qualified for Pre-Trials from the Direct-Entry Event; ^Qualified from the Pre-Trials Direct-Entry Event
MORE: Teams that have already qualified for Olympic trials
Are fans allowed at the 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Pre-Trials?
Fans will be allowed to attend the event in Nova Scotia. Per Curling Canada's policy, all fans must provide proof of full vaccination that took place a minimum of 14 days before the start of the event. Masks must also be worn at all times unless actively eating or drinking.
What channel is the 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Pre-Trials on?
The first five days can be watched on Curling Canada's YouTube channel. The playoffs over the weekend will be aired on TSN.
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Who has represented Canada in the Olympics?
Curling has only been an official Olympic sport since the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. At the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, 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 Olympic Curling Pre-Trials round-robin standings
The 14 teams are divided into two pools of seven on each side. Both the men’s and women’s events will each use round-robin draws leading with the top three from each pool advance to the playoffs.
Per Curling Canada, the playoffs are set up as below:
- The first- and second-place teams cross over and meet in the first round of the A-side playoff bracket. The winners of each game meet in the A-side final for the first opportunity to qualify for the curling trials.
- The losers of the first-round A-side games drop into the B-side playoff bracket and will play the third-place teams. The winners of the two games meet, with the winner taking on the A-side final loser for the last berth.
Women's Pool A
| Team | Games | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Team McCarville | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| *Team Harrison | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| *Team Brown | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Team Barker | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Team Murphy | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Team Peterson | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| Team Galusha | 6 | 1 | 5 |
Women's Pool B
| Team | Games | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Team Birt | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Team Zacharias | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Team Anderson | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Team Robertson | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Team Duncan | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Team Inglis | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Team Brothers | 6 | 1 | 5 |
Men's Pool C
| Team | Games | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Team Horgan | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| *Team Gunnlaugson | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Team Simmons | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Team Fournier | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Team Roberge | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Team Sturmay | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Team Harty | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Men's Pool D
| Team | Games | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Team Howard | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| *Team Flemming | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| *Team Tardi | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Team Flasch | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Team Ferris | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Team Calvert | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Team Grassie | 6 | 0 | 6 |
* Advance to playoffs
2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Pre-Trials round-robin schedule, results
Draw 1 (Oct. 25, 4 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Women's A)
Team Brown — 9
Team Peterson — 4
Sheet B (Women's B)
Team Birt — 7
Team Zacharias — 8
Sheet C (Women's A)
Team Murphy — 5
Team McCarville — 7
Sheet D (Women's B)
Team Anderson — 7
Team Duncan — 6
Draw 2 (Oct. 25, 8 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Women's B)
Team Robertson — 3
Team Inglis — 9
Sheet B (Men's C)
Team Gunnlaugson — 7
Team Simmons — 4
Sheet C (Men's C)
Team Horgan — 7
Team Harty — 2
Sheet D (Women's A)
Team Barker — 3
Team Harrison — 7
Draw 3 (Oct. 26, 7 a.m. ET)
Sheet A (Men's C)
Team Sturmay — 8
Team Fournier — 6
Sheet B (Men's D)
Team Flasch — 7
Team Howard — 6
Sheet C (Men's D)
Team Ferris — 6
Team Flemming — 11
Sheet D (Men's D)
Team Calvert — 6
Team Tardi — 8
Sheet E (Women' A)
Team Galusha — 6
Team Brown — 9
Draw 4 (Oct. 26, 11 a.m. ET)
Sheet A (Women's A)
Team Harrison — 7
Team McCarville — 8
Sheet B (Women's B)
Team Duncan — 9
Team Inglis — 7
Sheet C (Women's A)
Team Barker — 10
Team Peterson — 4
Sheet D (Women's B)
Team Robertson — 8
Team Brothers — 7
Sheet E (Women's B)
Team Birt — 7
Team Anderson — 5
Draw 5 (Oct. 26, 3 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Men's D)
Team Flemming — 6
Team Howard — 7
Sheet B (Men's C)
Team Harty — 5
Team Fournier — 10
Sheet C (Men's D)
Team Tardi — 9
Team Grassie — 2
Sheet D (Men's C)
Team Roberge — 8
Team Gunnlaugson — 9 (F/11)
Sheet E (Men's C)
Team Simmons — 6
Team Horgan — 7
Draw 6 (Oct. 26, 7 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Women's B)
Team Zacharias — 5
Team Robertson — 8
Sheet B (Women's A)
Team Brown — 11
Team Murphy — 5
Sheet C (Men's D)
Team Flasch — 3
Team Calvert — 2
Sheet D (Women's B)
Team Inglis — 4
Team Birt — 10
Sheet E (Women's B)
Team Brothers — 4
Team Duncan — 11
Draw 7 (Oct. 27, 7 a.m. ET)
Sheet A (Men's C)
Team Roberge — 4
Team Horgan — 5
Sheet C (Men's C)
Team Sturmay — 7
Team Gunnlaugson — 12
Sheet D (Women's A)
Team Galusha — 7
Team Barker — 5
Sheet E (Women's A)
Team McCarville — 12
Team Peterson — 5
Draw 8 (Oct. 27, 11 a.m. ET)
Sheet A (Men's D)
Team Tardi — 9
Team Ferris — 5
Sheet C (Men's C)
Team Fournier — 7
Team Simmons — 8 (F/11)
Sheet D (Men's D)
Team Flemming — 3
Team Calvert — 8
Sheet E (Men's D)
Team Grassie — 4
Team Flasch — 8
Draw 9 (Oct. 27, 3 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Women's A)
Team Murphy — 8
Team Barker — 9 (F/11)
Sheet B (Women's B)
Team Anderson — 7
Team Robertson — 4
Sheet C (Women's B)
Team Brothers — 4
Team Birt — 11
Sheet D (Women's A)
Team Brown — 5
Team Harrison — 9
Sheet E (Women's B)
Team Duncan — 6
Team Zacharias — 9
Draw 10 (Oct. 27, 7 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Men's C)
Team Gunnlaugson — 8
Team Harty — 0
Sheet B (Women's A)
Team Galusha — 3
Team McCarville — 6
Sheet C (Men's D)
Team Howard — 6
Team Tardi — 4
Sheet D (Men's C)
Team Horgan — 12
Team Sturmay — 1
Sheet E (Men's C)
Team Fournier — 10
Team Roberge — 5
Draw 11 (Oct. 28, 7 a.m. ET)
Sheet B (Men's D)
Team Grassie — 2
Team Flemming — 5
Sheet C (Women's B)
Team Anderson — 10
Team Zacharias — 2
Sheet D (Men's D)
Team Ferris — 3
Team Flasch — 7
Sheet E (Women's B)
Team Inglis — 10
Team Brothers — 4
Draw 12 (Oct. 28, 11 a.m. ET)
Sheet A (Women's A)
Team Peterson — 10
Team Galusha — 8
Sheet B (Women's A)
Team Barker — 10
Team Brown — 7
Sheet C (Women's B)
Team Duncan — 6
Team Robertson — 9
Sheet E (Women's A)
Team Harrison — 11
Team Murphy — 5
Draw 13 (Oct. 28, 3 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Men's D)
Team Calvert — 9
Team Grassie — 7
Sheet B (Men's D)
Team Tardi — 10
Team Flasch — 3
Sheet C (Men's C)
Team Harty — 4
Team Sturmay — 7
Sheet D (Men's C)
Team Simmons — 9
Team Roberge — 6
Sheet E (Men's C)
Team Horgan — 6 (F/11)
Team Gunnlaugson — 5
Draw 14 (Oct. 28, 7 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Women's B)
Team Brothers — 9 (F/11)
Team Anderson — 8
Sheet B (Women's B)
Team Robertson — 4
Team Birt — 9
Sheet C (Women's A)
Team McCarville — 7
Team Brown — 8
Sheet D (Women's B)
Team Zacharias — 8
Team Inglis — 4
Sheet E (Men's D)
Team Howard — 8
Team Ferris — 3
Draw 15 (Oct. 29, 7 a.m. ET)
Sheet A (Men's C)
Team Simmons — 10
Team Sturmay — 1
Sheet B (Women's A)
Team Harrison — 9
Team Galusha — 6
Sheet C (Men's C)
Team Gunnlaugson — 4
Team Fournier — 11
Sheet D (Women's A)
Team Peterson — 8
Team Murphy — 10 (F/11)
Sheet E (Men's C)
Team Roberge — 10
Team Harty — 3
Draw 16 (Oct. 29, 11 a.m. ET)
Sheet A (Women's B)
Team Birt — 5
Team Duncan — 6
Sheet B (Men's D)
Team Ferris — 10
Team Calvert — 4
Sheet C (Women's B)
Team Zacharias — 6
Team Brothers — 3
Sheet D (Men's D)
Team Howard — 6
Team Grassie — 3
Sheet E (Men's D)
Team Flemming — 9
Team Tardi — 6
Draw 17 (Oct. 29, 3 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Women's A)
Team McCarville — 7
Team Barker — 5
Sheet B (Women's B)
Team Inglis — 4
Team Anderson — 9
Sheet C (Women's A)
Team Peterson — 4
Team Harrison — 8
Sheet D (Men's C)
Team Fournier — 7
Team Horgan — 8 (F/11)
Sheet E (Women's A)
Team Murphy — 7
Team Galusha — 6
Draw 18 (Oct. 29, 7 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Men's D)
Team Flasch — 3
Team Flemming — 6
Sheet B (Men's C)
Team Sturmay — 6
Team Roberge — 10
Sheet C (Men's D)
Team Grassie — 5
Team Ferris — 9
Sheet D (Men's C)
Team Harty — 6
Team Simmons — 9
Sheet E (Men's D)
Team Calvert — 4
Team Howard — 6
2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Pre-Trials playoffs schedule, results
A-side (Oct. 30, 12:30 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Women's)
First place, Pool B: Team Birt — 4
Second place, Pool A: Team Harrison — 8
Sheet B (Women's)
Second place, Pool B: Team Zacharias — 7
First place, Pool A: Team McCarville — 8 (F/11)
Sheet C (Men's)
First place, Pool C: Team Horgan — 6
Second place, Men's D: Team Flemming — 5
Sheet E (Men's)
Second place, Pool C: Team Gunnlaugson — 8
First place, Pool D: Team Howard — 6
A-side/B-side (Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Sheet A (Men's B-side)
Team Flemming — 4
Team Simmons — 9
Sheet B (Men's B-side)
Team Howard — 6
Team Tardi — 4
Sheet C (Women's B-side)
Team Birt — 6
Team Anderson — 8
Sheet D (Women's A-side)*
Team Harrison — 6
Team McCarville — 9
* Winner goes to trials.
Sheet E (Women's B-side)
Team Zacharias — 3
Team Brown — 10
A-side/B-side (Oct. 31, 8 a.m. ET)
Sheet D (Men's A-side)*
Team Horgan — 8
Team Gunnlaugson — 9
* Winner goes to trials
Sheet E (Women's B)
Team Anderson — 5
Team Brown — 8
B-side (Oct. 31, 1 p.m. ET)
Sheet C (Men's)
Team Simmons — 2
Team Howard — 9
Sheet D (Women's)*
Team Harrison — 9
Team Brown — 2
* Winner goes to trials
B-side (Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Sheet D (Men's)*
Team Howard — 4
Team Horgan — 7
*Winner goes to trials