The numbers
In a thrilling start to the Women’s World Curling Championship held in Calgary, Canada showcased its strength by defeating Turkey 9-3 and Scotland 7-5 on March 18, 2026. With these victories, Kerri Einarson’s team is now tied for first place alongside Switzerland, both boasting impressive 7-1 records.
Despite the team’s success, Val Sweeting’s performance has raised some eyebrows. Her shooting percentage has dropped from an impressive 83% in the first four games to 77.8% in the last four. This decline has been noted as a potential factor in the team’s overall performance, particularly in tightly contested matches.
The match against Scotland was particularly intense, with the score tied at 5-5 after the sixth end. Shannon Birchard, a member of the team, commented, “I think we just lost control a little bit in the middle ends there,” highlighting the challenges they faced during crucial moments of the game. Birchard also expressed hopes for improvement, stating, “Hopefully we can get a little bit better handle on speed, rocks, everything that’s going on out there.”
Kerri Einarson, who is currently dealing with a sprained finger from a celebration after winning the national championship, remains optimistic about the team’s cohesion. “This team’s gritty. We don’t give up on each other and we just tried to find ways to help each other to make the shots,” she remarked, emphasizing the team’s resilience.
Canada’s next games are set against Korea and Norway on March 19, 2026. The team is aiming to secure their first world title after Rachel Homan’s team claimed back-to-back crowns in previous years. The stakes are high, as only the top six teams will advance to the playoffs, making each match critical.
In addition to Canada’s performance, other teams are also making headlines. China’s Team Wang Rui improved their record to 4-4 after starting with a 1-3 deficit, showcasing the competitive nature of the tournament. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Isabella Wrana struggled with a shooting percentage of just 31% in the evening draw against Japan, indicating that the competition is fierce across the board.
As the championship progresses, observers will be keenly watching how Sweeting’s performance evolves and whether she can regain her earlier form. The stones were sharpened overnight, which affected gameplay on March 18, 2026, adding another layer of complexity to the matches. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the long-term impact of these adjustments on team strategies.
With the tournament heating up, Canada is determined to leverage their strong start and improve their gameplay, especially as they seek to overcome any challenges posed by Sweeting’s recent performance. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether they can maintain their position at the top and ultimately secure the championship title.
