PointsBet Invitational Adjusted to Aid Canada’s Curling Teams in Olympic Prep

As Canada prepares for the Olympic trials, the focus of the nation’s top curling teams has turned to the upcoming competition in Halifax. This pivotal event will determine which men’s and women’s teams will represent Canada at the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy. Canada’s last Olympic victories in team curling came in 2014, with teams led by Jennifer Jones and Brad Jacobs clinching gold in Sochi, Russia.

PointsBet Invitational: A Crucial Warm-Up

This week, seven out of eight teams from both the men’s and women’s divisions are participating in the PointsBet Invitational, which has been adapted to simulate the trials atmosphere. Unlike its previous formats that allowed for unexpected outcomes, this year’s event features four round-robin games for each team. The finals are set to take place on Sunday at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary.

Competition Format and Prize Purse

• The PointsBet event has reduced its number of teams from 32 to 20.
• Teams are split into two pools, with the top team from each pool advancing to the finals.
• A total prize purse of $300,000 is on the line.

Notably, 14 teams have already secured their spots in the upcoming trials in Halifax, with five of the remaining teams participating in the Home Hardware Canadian pre-trials scheduled for October 20-26 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The winners in Wolfville will complete the trials roster in Halifax.

Insights from the Players

Brad Gushue highlighted the importance of this year’s adjustments, emphasizing that the extra games will prepare teams for the trials. “A few more games makes sense,” he stated, noting the benefit of getting accustomed to the Halifax environment ahead of the competition.

Meanwhile, Matt Dunstone, who recently won the men’s title at the AMJ Masters Grand Slam, expressed similar sentiments about the necessity for more quality game time. The Olympic trials schedule will require that teams be in top form as they aim for victory in November.

Key Matches in the PointsBet Invitational

• Brad Gushue’s team secured an opening victory against national junior champion Calan MacIsaac, winning 8-6.
• Women’s champion Rachel Homan defeated Beth Peterson 8-6.
• Corryn Brown won against Selena Sturmay 9-4, while Kaitlyn Lawes triumphed over Christina Black with a score of 8-3.

While the format has produced thrilling upsets in the past, Curling Canada aims for consistency and quality competition this year. Their high-performance director, David Murdoch, underscored the importance of maximizing this season for the teams. He believes that creating a more realistic trials environment could enhance the chances of success for Canadian curlers.

A Momentous Year for Canadian Curling

This year is particularly significant for Curling Canada as they prepare not only for the trials but also aim to provide their athletes with the best possible chance for success on an international stage. The PointsBet Invitational serves as an essential stepping stone as teams look ahead to the critical challenges awaiting them in Halifax.

As Gushue, a seasoned competitor, stated, success at the trials will define the year for many teams, emphasizing the high stakes that come with the competition ahead.