Full Breakdown
Team Kaitlyn Lawes Secures Last Spot in Scotties Tournament of Hearts
1/14/2026, 11:21:21 AM
Close Call for Qualification
Team Kaitlyn Lawes has qualified for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, albeit by a narrow margin. After losing to Beth Peterson in the Manitoba women’s curling provincial final, Lawes initially believed their chances were over. “Honestly, I assumed we were hooped,” Lawes stated, reflecting on the uncertainty surrounding their qualification. However, following the conclusion of provincial playdowns, it was confirmed that Lawes' team secured the final spot in the 18-team field, edging out No. 5-ranked Serena Gray-Withers of Alberta based on the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS) scores—Lawes at 151.450 compared to Gray-Withers' 151.225.
Team Dynamics and Challenges
Despite their high ranking throughout the quadrennial, Lawes and her team—third Selena Njegovan, second Jocelyn Peterman, and lead Kristin Gordon—have yet to achieve significant success in major events. They finished with a 4-3 record at the Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax, missing the playoffs in a tiebreaker. Lawes, who has previously represented Canada in three Olympics, noted that this quad has been particularly transformative due to personal changes, including the birth of two children. “It’s brought me a lot of joy being a mom, and it’s also been a new challenge of being away,” she remarked.
At the Scotties, Laura Walker will replace Peterman, who is competing in mixed doubles at the Olympics. Njegovan will continue to call the game, while Lawes will focus on sweeping and throwing the final rocks.
Future Aspirations and Competition Landscape
As the team prepares for the Scotties, Lawes expressed her commitment to the current lineup and the competition ahead. “I want to give it my all and see what happens at the end of the week in Mississauga,” she stated. With two-time defending champion Rachel Homan absent from this year’s tournament, the competition appears wide open, with Lawes, Kerri Einarson, Kayla Skrlik, and Christina Black among the contenders for the championship and a chance to represent Canada at the World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary in March.
Lawes emphasized the importance of their opportunity, stating, “We always said if we’re not the team that goes to the Olympics, we want to be the team that wins the Scotties.” The team is determined to make the most of their qualification, viewing it as a privilege to compete at such a high level.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Honestly, I assumed we were hooped,” — Kaitlyn Lawes, Skip
- “It’s been a different quad compared to the previous three Olympic cycles I’ve been to before, but all very satisfying in their own different ways.” — Kaitlyn Lawes, Skip
- “We always said if we’re not the team that goes to the Olympics, we want to be the team that wins the Scotties,” — Kaitlyn Lawes, Skip
Conclusion
Team Kaitlyn Lawes’ journey to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts highlights the unpredictability of competitive curling and the personal challenges faced by athletes. As they prepare for the tournament, the team aims to leverage their hard-earned spot and strive for success on the national stage.
