Rachel Homan's Curling Team Aims for Olympic Podium in Cortina 2026
With the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy, rapidly approaching, the Canadian women's curling team, skipped by Rachel Homan, is intensifying its focus on securing a medal for Canada. The squad, which includes third Tracy Fleury, second Emma Miskew, lead Sarah Wilkes, alternate Rachelle Brown, and coach Heather Nedohin, has made every strategic decision with the podium in mind since its formation.
Olympic Ambitions and Strategic Decisions
In a recent pre-Games press conference held in Ottawa, Homan emphasized the team's unwavering commitment to Olympic success. "Our goal from Day 1 was to get this team to the Olympics representing Canada and try to get to that podium," stated Homan. "So every decision we've made is in line with that." This dedication led to the difficult choice of forgoing the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, which overlapped with the Olympics, to prioritize peak performance on the international stage.
Homan, a 36-year-old native of Ottawa, explained that while logistically possible, competing in both events would not have been in Canada's best interest due to the grueling schedule and international travel involved. Instead, the team has concentrated on a balanced regimen of rest and targeted training in the lead-up to the Games, ensuring they arrive in Italy ready to compete at their highest level.
Supporting Fellow Curlers and Looking Ahead
Despite their own intense preparations, Homan reached out to congratulate Kerri Einarson on winning the Scotties, viewing it as a positive sign for Canadian curling. "Great to see all those new young teams out there at the Scotties, and I was watching all week," Homan remarked, highlighting the strength and depth of the sport in Canada. This camaraderie underscores the team's broader support for the curling community, even as they gear up for their own Olympic journey.
Olympic Schedule and Competition Details
Team Homan is set to depart for Italy, where they will face a demanding round-robin schedule in the women's team curling discipline. The competition will take place at the historic Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, built in 1956, with nine games scheduled over 11 days. The team's opening match is against Denmark's Madeleine Dupont on Wednesday, February 11, at 3:05 a.m. ET.
The full schedule for Team Homan includes:
- Wednesday, Feb. 11 — vs. Denmark, 3:05 a.m. ET
- Friday, Feb. 13 — vs. United States, 8:05 a.m. ET
- Saturday, Feb. 14 — vs. Great Britain, 3:05 a.m. ET
- Saturday, Feb. 14 — vs. Switzerland, 1:05 p.m. ET
- Monday, Feb. 16 — vs. China, 3:05 a.m. ET
- Monday, Feb. 16 — vs. Japan, 1:05 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Feb. 17 — vs. Sweden, 8:05 a.m. ET
- Wednesday, Feb. 18 — vs. Italy, 1:05 p.m. ET
- Thursday, Feb. 19 — vs. Korea, 8:05 a.m. ET
Following the round-robin, the semifinals are scheduled for Friday, February 20, at 8:05 a.m. ET, with the bronze-medal game on Saturday, February 21, at 8:05 a.m. ET, and the gold-medal game on Sunday, February 22, at 5:05 a.m. ET.
Final Preparations and Team Dynamics
As the Games draw near, the Ottawa Curling Club-based team is fine-tuning its strategies and maintaining a positive mindset. The combination of experienced players and cohesive teamwork positions them as strong contenders in the competitive field. With their eyes firmly set on the podium, Rachel Homan and her teammates are poised to represent Canada with pride and determination, aiming to add another chapter to the nation's rich curling legacy at the Olympic level.
