Tournament favorites Rachel Homan and Kerri Einarson had strong starts in the initial matches of the 2025 Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax. Homan, the reigning Canadian and world women’s champion, secured a convincing 16-5 victory over Kate Cameron of St. Adolphe, Manitoba. Einarson, a four-time Canadian champion, dominated local favorite Christina Black with a 12-5 win.
Homan’s team, which includes Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, Sarah Wilkes, Rachelle Brown, and coach Heather Nedohin, showcased precision and confidence on the ice. Einarson’s strategy focused on applying early pressure to control the game’s tempo and limit the crowd’s influence.
In other matches, Kaitlyn Lawes of Winnipeg triumphed over Corryn Brown of Kamloops, British Columbia, while Selena Sturmay of Edmonton outplayed Kayla Skrlik of Calgary. The opening men’s draw saw Mike McEwen’s rink narrowly defeat Jordon McDonald from Winnipeg.
The competition determines the representatives for Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy.