Canada’s Rachel Homan delivered a statement victory on Saturday, overpowering Scotland’s Sophie Jackson 10-4 in a qualification match to secure a semifinal berth at the LGT World Women’s Curling Championship. The defending champions will now face South Korea’s Eunji Gim for a place in the final, while China and Switzerland battle in the other semifinal matchup.
A Crushing Performance From Canada
Homan and her Ottawa-based rink wasted no time setting the tone against Scotland. A decisive four-point end in the second gave Canada an early 4-0 cushion, putting immediate pressure on Jackson’s squad. By the fourth end, the lead had swelled to 7-1, leaving little doubt about the outcome.
“We had an opportunity early and took full advantage,” Homan said after the match. “It was well-called, well-swept, and a big shot. Huge for momentum, and we just kept our lead the whole game.”
Scotland managed a brief response with two points in the fifth, but Canada quickly extinguished any comeback hopes, scoring three more over the next two ends to make it 10-3. Jackson conceded after picking up just one point in the eighth.
Semifinal Rematch With South Korea
Despite finishing tied for second in the round-robin standings with South Korea, Homan’s squad missed out on a direct semifinal berth due to an 11-7 loss to Gim’s team earlier in the week. That result set up a rematch in the semifinals for the second consecutive year.
“It doesn’t matter who we play next,” Homan said. “It’s the playoffs and everyone’s tough. We just need to stick to our game and keep playing the way we’re playing.”
South Korea, known for its precision shot-making and tactical discipline, has proven to be a formidable opponent. Gim’s team will be looking to repeat their round-robin victory, but Canada has momentum on its side following the dominant win over Scotland.
Other Semifinal: Switzerland vs. China
In the other qualification match, China edged Sweden 8-7 in a tightly contested battle to advance to the semifinals. Their reward? A showdown with Switzerland, the tournament’s top seed and perennial powerhouse in women’s curling.
Switzerland has been near-flawless throughout the championship, suffering only one loss—ironically, to Canada in the round-robin stage. China, however, has demonstrated resilience, pulling off key wins at crucial moments.
Homan’s Championship Run So Far
Homan’s path to the semifinals has been anything but smooth. Canada opened the tournament with a narrow 8-7 loss to Scotland before finding their rhythm. They went on to hand Switzerland its only defeat of the tournament and finished the round-robin stage among the top contenders.
Key highlights from Canada’s tournament performance:
- Victory over Switzerland (5-4) in a defensive masterclass
- Strong comeback wins against Japan and Italy
- Second-best round-robin record, tied with South Korea
Homan, already a decorated skip with multiple world championship appearances, is seeking to add another title to her resume. A win over South Korea would put her team one step closer to another world championship triumph.
What’s Next?
The semifinals will take place Sunday, with Canada and South Korea facing off in one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament. The winners will advance to the championship final, while the losers will play for bronze.
For Canada, the mission is clear: maintain their momentum, execute their game plan, and take down South Korea to earn a shot at the title.
