Kerri Einarson Finds Renewed Comfort in Bid to Reclaim National Curling Crown
Canadian curling skip Kerri Einarson is experiencing a welcome sense of comfort and renewed determination as she prepares to lead her Manitoba team in the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. After two challenging years marked by lineup turmoil and personal doubts, the four-time national champion is ready to reclaim the throne she lost to Rachel Homan in 2024.
Overcoming Personal Struggles and External Criticism
Einarson has been remarkably candid about the emotional toll of the past two seasons, revealing moments when she questioned her future in the sport. "Sometimes, I just felt like I didn't even want to curl anymore," the skip from Camp Morton, Manitoba, admitted during preparations for the national championship in Mississauga, Ontario.
The challenges extended beyond the ice, with Einarson facing unwarranted criticism from the public regarding difficult lineup decisions. "It was so hard and so stressful—some people can be very cruel out there," she continued. "But you've just gotta put the blinders on to that and just focus on yourselves and believe in yourself and what you can control."
Team Resilience Through Injury and Controversy
The Manitoba rink has navigated significant obstacles that tested their cohesion and competitive spirit:
- A serious injury to second Shannon Birchard that disrupted team dynamics
- A doping controversy surrounding former teammate Briane Harris that created additional scrutiny
- Constant lineup adjustments that challenged their competitive rhythm
Despite these challenges, Einarson emphasized the team's collective resilience. "I think just with everything that had went on—some of the backlash that we got—it really wasn't fair," she reflected. "It just was really hard mentally to see that because I know who I am as a person and so do my teammates."
Multiple Motivations Fueling the Comeback Quest
Several factors are driving Einarson's determination to return to the top of Canadian women's curling:
- Reclaiming the national title lost two years ago to rival Rachel Homan
- Completing unfinished business by finally capturing a world championship after three previous near-misses during their four-year Canadian dominance
- Proving detractors wrong by overcoming the trolls who attempted to defame the team during their most challenging moments
- Conquering internal doubts that occasionally made walking away from the sport seem like the easier option
Renewed Team Strength and Championship Focus
With their lineup stabilized and confidence returning, Einarson and her teammates—third/vice-skip Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard, lead Karlee Burgess, alternate Krysten Karwacki, and coach Reid Carruthers—enter the Scotties feeling stronger than they have in over two years.
"We just had to focus on ourselves and what we could control," Einarson emphasized, highlighting the mental shift that has restored their competitive edge.
The team's journey to reclaim the Canadian women's curling crown begins with Draw 1 action against Yukon's Bayly Scoffin at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre. As they take to the pebbled ice, Einarson's renewed comfort and the team's hard-earned resilience position them as serious contenders in what promises to be a fiercely competitive national championship.
