Corinne Brown's B.C. team, who arrived in Thunder Bay late, defeated Alberta's Selena Sturmay 11-4. Alberta's Kayla Skrlik won 8-4 against New Brunswick's Melissa Adams despite playing with only three members due to lead Geri-Lynn Ramsay's illness. Defending champion Rachel Homan won comfortably against Prince Edward Island's Jane DiCarlo, 13-4.
Two teams overcame travel hiccups and another the loss of a sick player to win on opening night of the Canadian women's curling championship Friday. Corinne Brown's B.C. team that didn't land in Thunder Bay, Ont., until early morning defeated Alberta's Selena Sturmay 11-4. Alberta's Kayla Skrlik iced a three-player rotation because lead Geri-Lynn Ramsay was ill, and doubled New Brunswick's Melissa Adams 8-4.
Defending champion Rachel Homan had the most stress-free opener with a 13-4 victory over Prince Edward Island's Jane DiCarlo. Both Brown and Martin were scheduled to practice early Friday morning, but ended up throwing rocks mid-afternoon a few hours before their first games of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. \'It was just kind of sleep quick, and we were just really focusing on one rock at a time, just really simplifying it today, just given the fact that we are pretty fatigued and had a long journey here,' said Brown, who is almost six months pregnant. Martin grabbed a 5-1 lead over McCarville after four ends and held off a hometown team supported by many of the 2,430 in the 3,700-seat Fort William Gardens. Martin scored three with her last throw of the 10th end. 'The girls just trust me and we just go for it,' Martin said. 'We got lucky breaks. You've got to get that to win a game, but we put some pressure on and put some rocks in play, which is what we love. Had a great time out there.' Martin is twice a runner-up in the national mixed doubles championship, second Kadriana Lott won the title in 2024 with husband Colton and third Chaelynn Stewart is also a mixed doubles veteran. So Martin's is a team that isn't afraid to face a lot of granite in the rings. 'We love rocks in play. When we step on the ice in a women's game and they want to blank three ends, I just want to leave and go play mixed doubles,' Martin said. \Skrlik, Margot Flemming and sister Ashton played short-handed with Ramsay sidelined and alternate Crystal Rumberg not expected to arrive in Thunder Bay until Monday. 'Geri has the flu tonight,' the skip said. 'She got it just last night. She tried to throw in pre-event practice. She's resting today. We're keeping our fingers crossed.' Margot and Ashton did a great job,' the skip said. 'Margo is calling line for the first time in a while, or ever, first time at the Scottie for sure. Ashton swept a ton of rocks and made a bunch of shots for us, so just the resilience of those two players was amazing. I had a rough start to the game as well and they really rallied.' The 18-team field was divided into two pools with the top three in each advancing. That half-dozen is reduced to the four Page playoff teams for the final weekend. The winner Feb. 23 will represent Canada in the world championship March 15-23 in Uijeongbu, South Korea. Pool B starts Saturday afternoon with Quebec's Laurie St-Georges taking on Manitoba's Kaitlyn Lawes, Kerry Galusha of Northwest Territories facing Manitoba's Kate Cameron, four-time champion Kerri Einarson of Manitoba square off with Newfoundland and Labrador's Brooke Godsland and Ontario's Danielle Inglis versus Nova Scotia's Christina Black
Curling Scotties Tournament Of Hearts Canadian Women's Curling Championship Travel Delays Illness
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Scotties 2025: Meet the teams -- Manitoba (Lawes), Northwest Territories, Ontario, Newfoundland, AlbertaTeam Manitoba's Kaitlyn Lawes looking to build on last year's playoff appearance at the Scotties.
Read more »
Alberta Launches Assisted Living Alberta, Latest Agency in Healthcare RestructuringThe Alberta government continues its push to restructure healthcare, announcing Assisted Living Alberta as the final agency to take over services from Alberta Health Services. The new agency will focus on continuing and assisted care, as well as home care, addressing the growing needs of Alberta's senior population. However, critics raise concerns about the government's approach, arguing that it prioritizes restructuring over solving existing issues in seniors' care.
Read more »
Alberta government dismisses board of Alberta Health ServicesJust weeks after firing the head of Alberta Health Services, the Alberta government has dismissed the AHS board of directors and replaced it with the deputy minister of health.
Read more »
3rd-party advertiser Take Back Alberta fined more than $100K by Elections AlbertaTake Back Alberta, the third-party advertiser that made headlines for its role in the high-profile party-vote ouster of former premier Jason Kenney, has been fined more than $100,000 by Elections Alberta.
Read more »
Take Back Alberta founder plans to fight $112K in fines levied by Elections AlbertaThe body that oversees provincial election spending and voting rules has laid over $112,000 in fines against Take Back Alberta and its founder, David Parker, who plans to fight it.
Read more »
Home on an Alberta ridge gets two offers after five price cutsThis seven-year-old house has an attached, double garage and 2,137 square feet of living space, plus a custom basement suite with updated kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom
Read more »