For a few weeks every four years, the world goes into a kind of curling-induced trance. As the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games progress, people are reacquainted with the iconic sport known for its rocks, screams and, sometimes, funny pants.
If you’re one of the people who got caught up in Cory and Korey’s success story or Marc Kennedy’s saga at these Olympics, take your new passion for curling from Cortina, Italy, to Calgary, Alberta, home of this year’s World Women’s Curling Championship.
From March 14-22, women’s curling will be on full display during Women’s History Month. A total of 13 teams will be present, representing nations from around the world.
The 13 countries that will be represented at the World Cup are Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States. Here are some highlights to prepare for the next world-class competition.
Each team throws a total of eight stones in an ending, an ending being comparable to one round, and the games add up to a total of ten endings. Four players from each team play throughout the game, and positions are determined by the order in which they throw stones for the team. The leader throws the first two stones from each end, the second throws the second pair and the third throws the fifth and sixth stones. The skip, the team’s strategist and comparable to a captain, throws the last two stones of each final. The substitute is ready to substitute in case any other member is unable to play. This year’s lineups are solid and there are plenty of talented teams to watch.
Australia-Williams
Led by Scotland’s Helen Williams, this year marks Australia’s debut at the Women’s World Championship. Supporting Williams are third Sara Westman, second Kristen Tsourlenes, lead Karen Titheridge and alternate Michelle Fredericks. As Australia’s first global competition event, this year marks an exciting turning point for Australian women’s curling.
Canada – Einarson
No stranger to the world stage, Team Canada is coached by Kerri Einarson. She returns to the World Women’s Curling Championship for the fourth time with third Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard and alternate Krysten Karwacki, with lead Karlee Burgess making her World Championship debut. Team Canada will be ready to prove themselves once again in international competition and fight for the gold medal that has eluded them until now.
Italy – Constantini
Having recently represented the home team at the Winter Olympics, this team will go into the World Cup backed by passionate Cortina fans. Composed of skip Stefania Constantini, third Elena Mathis, second Marta Lo Deserto, leader Giulia Zardini Lacedelli and substitute Rebecca Mariani, this young team has already accumulated experience competing against the best of the best. While they haven’t medaled at Worlds so far, these athletes will look to change that in Calgary.
Japan – Fujisawa
With a lineup consisting of Satsuki Fujisawa as jumper, Chinami Yoshida as third, Yumi Suzuki as second, Yurika Yoshida as lead and Tori Koana as substitute, Japan is ready to take Calgary by storm. Fujisawa is making her fourth appearance at the World Women’s Curling Championship, the last three being with her current team minus Koana. Their 2016 performance earned them a silver medal, matching the silver medal from the 2022 Beijing Olympics and the bronze from the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. With a wealth of decorations and a decade of time together, this team is more than ready for this year’s competition.
Sweden – Wranå
With a team skipped by 2026 Olympic gold medalist Isabella Wranå, this team is riding the fuel of recent Swedish Olympic success. Backed by third Almida de Val, second Maria Larsson, leader Linda Stenlund and alternate Moa Dryburgh, the five team members are competing in the World Women’s Curling Championship for the first time. Despite the inexperience, these athletes are ready to compete against the best athletes in curling.
Switzerland – Schwaller
Originally from Zurich, the track directed by Xenia Schwaller is ready to take advantage of the Swiss momentum that has earned it the silver medal at the World Championships in the last two years. With the strong support of third Selina Gafner, second Fabienne Rieder and leader Selina Rychiger, the young Swiss team has already made noise with a gold medal at the 2024 World Junior Curling Championships, a medal they will look to replicate in Calgary.
United States – Strouse
Fresh off their World Championship qualification at the US Women’s National Championships in Charlotte last month, Delaney Strouse and her team are ready to compete with the best in their World Championship debut. Joining Strouse will be third Anne O’Hara, second Sydney Mullaney and lead Madison Bear. Also in the lineup will be alternate Taylor Anderson-Heide, who just competed as the United States’ lead at the Olympics. Although most of the team does not have as much international experience as some of the teams they face, the team is ready to represent USA Curling on the world stage.
The conclusion of the Olympic Games does not mean the end of curling; Rather, athletes in this sport work hard all year round to showcase their talents on the world stage. There are many women on the ice, both veteran and new athletes, proving that the sport is more than just rocks, screams and funny pants.
