Canada's Olympic curling journey kicks off with a decisive win! It's a familiar story for Rachel Homan and her team as they stormed out of the gate at the Winter Olympics, proving why they're a top contender. In their opening round-robin match on Thursday, the Canadian foursome delivered a masterful performance, securing a 10-4 victory over Denmark's Madeleine Dupont at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium.
This win marks a strong start for Homan, the Ottawa skip, who is aiming for her first Olympic podium finish in the women's curling event. The team, also featuring Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, and Sarah Wilkes, showcased the precision and strategic depth that has made them a dominant force on the world stage.
But here's where it gets interesting... The early ends saw both teams feeling out the ice conditions, a common occurrence in the first game of a major tournament. After an initial exchange of points, Canada found their rhythm. A pivotal moment arrived in the fifth end. Even without the hammer (the last stone advantage), the Canadian team managed to build a significant lead. This was largely due to some uncharacteristic misses from the Danish side, which Canada expertly capitalized on. They strategically placed their stones, forcing Dupont into difficult shots. When Dupont's final stone of the end came, she was facing five Canadian rocks in the house (the scoring area). Despite her best efforts, she could only remove one, resulting in a steal of four points for Canada. This play not only shifted the momentum but also put the game firmly in Canada's control.
Canada then added three more points in the seventh end, effectively sealing the victory and ending the game early. "I think we made a pile of shots early, and it felt pretty comfortable," Homan commented after the match, highlighting the team's confidence and execution.
Denmark's skip, Madeleine Dupont, acknowledged the strength of the Canadian team. "We all know they're so good," she said. "So we needed to bring our very best, which I thought we did for an hour. Then we screwed it up for a bit and then we did really well again. But it was not enough against these guys."
And this is the part most people miss... This victory is particularly sweet for Homan, given her past Olympic experiences. The last time she faced Dupont at the Olympics, during the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, Denmark secured a dramatic 9-8 win in an extra end. That game is also remembered for a moment where Homan controversially pulled a "burned" rock (a rock touched by a player illegally) rather than leaving it in play. Following that, Homan missed the playoffs in 2018 and her mixed doubles bid in Beijing four years later also fell short. Now, with a dominant quadrennial behind them, her current foursome is back and looking stronger than ever.
"I don't think they make many 100 per cent misses," Dupont added, speaking to the exceptional quality of Canada's play. "Even their bad rocks, or their kind-of misses, they still get something out of it. And that means a lot."
Looking ahead, the Canadian team, alongside other strong contenders like Sweden's Anna Hasselborg, Switzerland's Silvana Tirinzoni, and host Italy's Stefania Constantini, are expected to be in the medal hunt. Canada's next challenge will be against the United States on Friday afternoon. "A great start and lots to build on from here," said Canadian coach Viktor Kjell.
Meanwhile, the Canadian men's team, skipped by Brad Jacobs, also had a strong start, winning their opener against Germany in an extra end. They are set for a busy Friday with games against the USA and defending champions Sweden.
What are your thoughts on Canada's performance? Do you think this is the year Rachel Homan finally claims Olympic gold? Let us know in the comments below!
