The 18-team Scotties Tournament of Hearts begins today in Calgary and wraps-up February 25th. Manitoba’s Kerri Einarson opens her bid for a 5th straight national title tonight against Quebec’s Laurie St-Georges at WinSport International Arena at Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park.
The Manitoba foursome that also includes vice-skip Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard and lead Briane Harris tied Colleen Jones (2001-04) with a 4th consecutive crown last year in Kamloops, B.C. They beat Jennifer Jones in the final to earn a return trip to nationals as defending champion a fifth time.
Jennifer Jones, who announced Tuesday she’s retiring from women’s curling at the end of the season, is looking for a record seventh Scotties title. She currently shares the record for Scotties wins with former teammate Jill Officer and Colleen Jones – who’s coaching Nova Scotia’s Team Heather Smith this year.
Teams will play a complete 8-game round robin within their pools. From there, the top three teams in each pool advance to the playoffs starting on February 23rd. The winner will represent Canada at the 2024 BKT Tires World Women’s Curling Championship March 16-24 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
For more information including draw schedules head to 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts | (curling.ca)
