The Winnipeg-based team led by Kaitlyn Lawes has secured the last spot in the 18-team lineup for the upcoming Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Lawes, along with Selena Njegovan, Jocelyn Peterman, and Kristin Gordon, clinched the final pre-qualification spot as the top-ranked team that had not qualified through provincial or territorial competitions, according to Curling Canada’s announcement on Monday.
The team’s entry became possible when the pre-qualified team headed by Kerri Einarson replaced Rachel Homan’s team as the Canadian representative. Homan will not be defending her title as she prepares to compete for Canada at the Milan-Cortina Olympics next month. Lawes, currently ranked fourth in the latest Canadian standings with 151.450 points, narrowly surpassed Alberta’s Serena Gray-Withers, who holds the fifth spot with 151.225 points.
Due to Peterman’s commitment to team up with Brett Gallant for mixed doubles at the Winter Games, Laura Walker will step in as the second, and Erin Pincott will act as the team alternate. Kayla Skrlik from Calgary and Christina Black from Halifax also earned pre-qualification spots in the tournament field.
Among the other qualified teams are Selena Sturmay from Alberta, Taylor Reese-Hansen from British Columbia, Melodie Forsythe from New Brunswick, Mackenzie Mitchell representing Newfoundland and Labrador, Krista Scharf from Northern Ontario, Nicky Kaufman from the Northwest Territories, Taylour Stevens from Nova Scotia, Julia Weagle from Nunavut, Hailey Armstrong from Ontario, Amanda Power from Prince Edward Island, Jolianne Fortin from Quebec, Jolene Campbell from Saskatchewan, and Bayly Scoffin from Yukon.
The victorious team at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts will go on to represent Canada at the world women’s curling championship in Calgary from March 14 to 22.