In the revered halls of Canadian curling, a new chapter of excellence is being etched by Rachel Homan and her indomitable foursome from the Ottawa Curling Club. This season, they have been weaving a tale of precision and prowess, transcending the ordinary to command their place among the nation’s curling legends.
Homan, joined by the steadfast third Tracy Fleury, the unwavering second Emma Miskew, and the steadfast lead Sarah Wilkes, has recently triumphed in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, a prestigious national championship, with a victory that can only be described as both meticulous and arresting. Their opponents, led by the venerable Jennifer Jones, fell just short in a gripping finale that culminated in a 5-4 scoreline, sealing for Team Homan not just a title, but an invitation to don the Maple Leaf at the forthcoming World Women’s Curling Championship in Sydney, N.S.
The path to the Scotties’ crown was nothing short of a masterclass, with Team Homan achieving a sterling 11-0 record. In the annals of Scotties history, such a feat places them in the company of an elite few who have managed a perfect run through the playoff era. Within the hallowed confines of WinSport Arena, Team Homan displayed a dominance that was as comprehensive as it was compelling, leading in every major statistical category.
They outshone adversaries with 90 points for, while their formidable defense conceded only 43. An astonishing 17 stolen ends were tallied, and they allowed but a paltry two in return. Throughout the ten-day affair in Calgary, their supremacy saw Team Jones vanquished on three separate occasions, a testament to consistency and an unyielding will to win.
As individuals, the women of Team Homan only further highlighted their dominance. The skip herself, Homan, boasted an 89 percent shooting percentage, eclipsing the nearest Canadian competitor, Kerri Einarson, by eight full points. Fleury, claiming her first Scotties, matched the skip’s precision with an 89 percent of her own, topping the charts. This tournament is but the latest in a decorated career for Homan, who, in 2014, posted a perfect 13-0 record in Montreal to claim her second Canadian women’s curling championship.
Their season record is equally emblematic of their dominance: 48 victories in 53 outings, a stunning .905 winning percentage. Against Canadian teams, their supremacy is unchallenged; a 39-1 record speaks volumes of their prevailing presence on home ice. And though international competition has been fiercer, with a 9-4 record, they have shown that they can contend with the world’s best, defeating the reigning world champion Silvana Tirinzoni of Switzerland three times this season.
Six event victories this season, while remarkable, seem almost an inevitability with their relentless strive for excellence. Homan, even after stepping away briefly for the birth of her third child, returned without missing a beat, her team clinching the Saville Shootout. Now, on a 16-game win streak, they approach the world championships with the confidence and fervor of a team destined to leave an indelible mark.
The Scotties title has also brought personal milestones. Homan and Miskew, forging a partnership as inseparable as it is effective, celebrated their fourth national championship. Fleury and Wilkes added to their troves, the former clutching her first, while the latter her second.
This story, however, isn’t solely about hoisting trophies or besting statistics. It’s about etching one’s name in history. Jones was on the cusp of a seventh Scotties title, a feat that would have vaulted her beyond legends Colleen Jones and Jill Officer. While she fell just short, the pursuit itself is a narrative worthy of curling’s storied legacy, a legacy Team Homan is actively shaping with each impeccably thrown stone.
As the saga continues to unfold on ice, Team Homan’s chronicle in Canadian curling lore is far from complete. With each relentless push of the broom and strategic placement of the rock, they are not just winning championships – they are solidifying their status as icons of the sport, their story one that will be recounted for generations to come.
