Canada’s curling team, led by Rachel Homan, delivered an impressive performance during their opening match at the Winter Olympics. They faced Denmark’s Team Madeleine Dupont on Thursday and emerged victorious with a score of 10-4, achieving this in just seven ends.
Match Overview
Initially, Denmark started strong, even managing a steal in the third end to tie the game at 3-3. However, the turning point came in the fifth end when Denmark struggled with their shots. Homan capitalized fully, drawing into the four-foot to establish a significant lead.
- Canada took a lead with a steal of four points in the fifth end.
- The team ended the sixth end with an additional three points.
- Denmark decided to concede after the sixth, shaking hands with the Canadian team.
Team Performance and Statistics
As a unit, Canada shot 75%, while Homan individually recorded a 68% accuracy. Despite this, their performance was dominant. This victory marks Homan’s second Olympic appearance, having previously competed in 2018, where her team finished sixth.
Team Lineup and Expectations
This year’s squad includes Homan, veteran Emma Miskew, and newcomers Tracy Fleury and Sarah Wilkes. For the newer members, this marks their first Olympic experience. Homan faces the pressure of not just reaching the podium, but securing the gold medal. Her team has been ranked as the best globally for three consecutive seasons.
Upcoming Matches
Aside from Homan’s game, other notable results from the women’s event included:
- USA defeated Korea 8-4.
- Sweden beat Japan 8-4.
- Switzerland triumphed over Italy 7-4.
Both Canadian teams are scheduled for more matches on Friday. Homan’s team will face the U.S. at 8:05 a.m. ET, while the men’s team, led by Brad Jacobs, will compete against the U.S. at 3:05 a.m. ET and against Sweden at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Format and Tournament Structure
Each team will play a total of nine round-robin games, with the top four advancing to the semifinals. The team’s early success sets a promising tone for their Olympic campaign.
