On Saturday, March 15, 2025, Team Canada, led by skip Rachel Homan, commenced their title defense at the 2025 LGT World Women’s Curling Championships held at the Uijeongbu Indoor Ice Rink, South Korea. Homan, together with third Tracy Fleury, second Emma Miskew, lead Sarah Wilkes, and alternate Rachelle Brown, engaged Lithuania, making their debut at the championship, and secured a decisive victory with a score of 13-2.
The Canadian team, champions from last year’s championship held in Sydney, Nova Scotia, opened the contest by scoring two points in the first end. Despite some shaky moments early on, the team regained composure to connect on strategic plays, seized control over the match, and maintained pressure throughout.
“It was a bit of a weird end,” Homan commented post-game, referencing initial challenges with ice conditions. “You’re going to have to make some guesses in the first game of the tournament. Lines and speeds were not quite what we expected, but we learned from them.” This learning and adaptability were key to their overall performance, reflected throughout their continued scoring.
The win against Lithuania, skipped by Virginija Paulauskaite, not only marked Canada’s first step toward defending their world title but also highlighted Lithuania’s challenge as they faced Canada, who has dominated the international curling scene with one of the most successful records coming off from their previous seasons.
Team Homan is aiming for their second consecutive title, aiming to replicate the success last reached by Team Sandra Schmirler, who achieved back-to-back championships over 30 years ago. This event also presents significant stakes, as points from the championship will contribute to Olympic qualifications for the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, providing added layers of importance to the already competitive tournament.
Prior to this event, the team boasted impressive statistics, finishing last season with 67 wins against just 7 losses and entering the 2024-2025 season with 56 wins and 4 losses. Their undefeated run during the recent Scotties Tournament of Hearts has solidified their standing as the top-ranked team on the World Curling Tour.
“The experience we have built over the years together empowers our team,” said Tracy Fleury when asked about their camaraderie and comfort level on the ice. The team is more than ready for competition, reflecting on their past achievements as motivation moving forward. Miskew highlighted the collective effort, stating, “We’re continually trying to find ways to make small improvements and raise the bar, which undoubtedly contributes to our success.”
The round-robin format consists of 13 teams, with each team set to play 12 matches before proceeding to the playoffs. Following their win against Lithuania, Team Homan will face Scotland at 6:00 AM ET later the same day. The competition format has been structured to challenge nations effectively, and Canadian fans are eagerly rooting for their team as they pursue another world title.
Beyond just defending their title, Team Homan aims to inspire future generations. Emma Miskew eloquently summarizes the team’s vision: “(We’d like) young girls to know they can not only find engaging sport but also build lasting friendships through it.” This aspiration intertwines with the efforts of Curling Canada to promote gender equality within the sport, continuing the tradition of featuring strong female role models.
With the stakes high, the pressure on Team Homan includes maintaining their fantastic form against tough competition. Other formidable adversaries include Team Silvana Tirinzoni from Switzerland, who has won four consecutive world titles, and Team Anna Hasselborg of Sweden, who are both seasoned competitors ready to challenge for the title.
The LGT World Women’s Curling Championship promises thrilling matches as fans can follow live broadcasts of all Canadian games through networks like TSN and NBC Sports. Following the victory over Lithuania, the hopes of Canadian curling fans soar as they await the next match against Scotland.
This tournament marks a significant milestone not only for the Canada but also for all competing nations, as they strive for excellence on the global curling stage. Canada’s opening win sets the tone, and the rest of the championship remains to be seen, as one team inches closer to claiming the coveted world title once more.