Calgary’s Kayla Skrlik secured a significant victory at the Canadian curling trials in Halifax on Sunday. Skrlik’s team outplayed Ottawa’s Rachel Homan, the top-ranked women’s team globally, in a thrilling 8-7 match that extended to extra ends. This win ended Homan’s remarkable 32-game winning streak against Canadian opponents, a streak lasting 413 days.
Reflecting on the win, Skrlik emphasized the importance of the victory as a confidence booster for her team. Despite the triumph, she remained focused on the upcoming challenges, stating, “We’re taking it one shot, one game at a time, especially against Rachel.”
The pivotal moment came when Skrlik’s team broke a 4-4 tie with a three-point ninth end. However, Homan, the reigning Canadian and world champion, showcased her skill by forcing the game into an extra end with a draw for three in the 10th. Skrlik acknowledged the intensity of the match, expressing satisfaction with the opportunity for an extra end with the hammer advantage.
In another game, Halifax’s Christina Black secured her first win at the Olympic trials by defeating Winnipeg’s Kaitlyn Lawes 7-3, handing Lawes her first loss. Meanwhile, Kerri Einarson’s team from Gimli, Manitoba, remained undefeated at 3-0 with a dominant 9-1 victory over Corryn Brown of Kamloops, British Columbia.
The competition also saw Edmonton’s Selena Sturmay triumph over Kate Cameron from St. Adolphe, Manitoba, with a commanding 12-5 score. The results set the stage for an exhilarating finale, where the top-performing teams will secure the coveted spots to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy.