Canada’s Team Einarson off to best start ever at 2026 BKT World Women’s Curling Championship

Canadian curling fans were thrilled as Team Kerri Einarson secured another victory on Sunday at the 2026 BKT World Women’s Curling Championship, presented by Pharmasave.

The Canadian team from Gimli, Man., remain undefeated (3-0) with a 9-3 win over China’s Team Rui Wang (1-2) during the afternoon draw at the WinSport Event Centre in Calgary.

Skip Einarson, third/vice-skip Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard, lead Karlee Burgess, alternate Krysten Karwacki, coach Reid Carruthers, and national coach Viktor Kjell scored three in the fifth end — a pivotal moment that helped defeat the reigning world bronze-medallists from China.

Canada’s 3-0 record marks Team Einarson’s best start in four appearances at the international women’s event. Previously, they began opening weekends with 2-1 records, but have never started undefeated as they have in Calgary.

“I think just the team as a whole is all on the same page out there. We’re just reading the ice really well, and we’re being super precise,” Birchard said. “I think in other Worlds, the nerves come into play with the (weight) judgement and the throws a little bit more. You’re just a little more hopped up on your energy, and you might miss a judge or overthrow things, and we haven’t really seen that this week. We’ve been pretty cool and calm out there, and we just want to keep that energy going forward.”

Late in the fifth end, Canada packed the four-foot with four counters, increasing pressure on China. Although China’s fourth, Yu Han, made a double takeout, Team Einarson capitalized with a draw for three, thanks to an impressive sweep by Birchard and Burgess. This sequence highlighted how essential sweeping is in today’s curling.

“Sweeping now in the game is a big part of it, and it’s crazy to see how it’s changed over the years and the fitness that you have and the endurance you need,” Einarson said. “People say that this isn’t a sport. Well, I don’t think so. I’d love for them to come out and try it.”

Birchard delivered a flawless 100 per cent game and was instrumental to the team’s success. All four members curled over 90 per cent, with Einarson at 94 per cent and Sweeting and Burgess at 91 per cent each.

“I was feeling good out there. We’re loving the ice, and Kerri’s doing a really great job putting the broom on the right spot out there,” Birchard said. “Sweepers are making lots of shots for everybody. So yeah, the team’s feeling great.”

The win was not only about scoring with the hammer, but also about limiting China’s opportunities when they held it. China managed only a single point in the second, fourth, and seventh ends. Notably, in the second end, Einarson executed a precise hit that curled away from the corner guard by mere millimetres, resulting in a force.

The game concluded in the eighth end when Canada scored two by removing a Chinese shot stone.

In other Draw 4 action, Sweden’s Team Isabella Wranaa (2-1) defeated Italy’s Team Stefania Constantini (0-2) 9-4; Turkey’s Team Dilsat Yildiz (2-0) remained undefeated with a 5-3 victory over Scotland’s Team Fay Henderson (1-2); and Japan’s Team Satsuki Fujisawa (3-0) kept pace with Canada in the standings with a 10-9 extra-end victory against Norway’s Team Torlid Bjoernstad (0-3).

Australia’s Team Helen Williams (1-1), Denmark’s Team Madeleine Dupont (1-1), South Korea’s Team Eunji Gim (1-1), Switzerland’s Team Xenia Schwaller (1-1) and Team Delaney Strouse of the U.S.A. (0-2) had byes on Sunday afternoon.

The 2026 BKT World Women’s Curling Championship continues with a draw on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. (all times Mountain).

Canada has one game on Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. against Denmark’s Team Dupont, who is slated to play Sunday night against China.

Live scoring, standings and statistics for the 2026 BKT World Women’s Curling Championship are available by CLICKING HERE.

TSN and RDS2 will provide coverage of all Team Canada games, and all playoff games, at the 2026 BKT World Women’s Curling Championship. CLICK HERE for the broadcast schedule.

For ticket information for the 2026 BKT World Women’s Curling Championship, go to www.curling.ca/2026worldwomen/tickets/.

This story will be available in French as soon as possible at www.curling.ca/fr/2026worldwomen/nouvelles/