By rdnewsNOW staff

Curling

Homan, Gushue rinks to represent Canada at Pan Continental Championships in Lacombe

Jun 24, 2024 | 5:56 PM

Canada’s reigning national women’s and men’s champions will wear the Maple Leaf at the 2024 Pan Continental Curling Championships in Lacombe, Alta.

The announcement was made by Curling Canada June 24, 2024.

Team Rachel Homan of Ottawa and Team Brad Gushue of St. John’s will represent Canada at the third annual Pan Continental Championships, which will run Oct. 27-Nov. 2 at the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex and the Lacombe Curling Club.

Officials note, the Pan Continental Championships serve as a qualifying event for annual world men’s and women’s championships. Team Homan and Team Gushue earned their berths by winning the 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts and 2024 Montana’s Brier respectively.

As the host nation of the 2025 BKT Tires World Men’s Curling Championship March 29-April 6 in Moose Jaw, Sask., Canada’s spot at the event is guaranteed. While the remaining teams will compete for the final four spots available, officials say Canada’s Team Gushue still needs to finish high enough to avoid relegation to the B-event for the 2025-26 season and eliminate Canada’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Men’s Championship.

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Team Homan, meanwhile, must finish in the top five to ensure Canada’s participation at the 2025 World Women’s Championship next March in Uijeongbu, South Korea.

“This will be our first opportunity to play in the Pan Continental Championships, and we know how important this competition is,” said Homan, whose team is rounded out by vice-skip Tracy Fleury, second Emma Miskew, lead Sarah Wilkes, alternate Rachel Brown and coach Brendan Bottcher. “We know Lacombe will be a great host for the event and we’re looking forward to getting on the ice and playing for our country.”

“Any time you get a chance to put on a Canadian uniform, it’s a special experience, and we’re particularly happy that this event is back in an arena setting in Lacombe,” added Gushue, whose team (vice-skip Mark Nichols, second E.J. Harnden, lead Geoff Walker) won gold at the first two editions of the Pan Continental Championships (2022 in Calgary, 2023 in Kelowna, B.C.). “We know there are always high expectations for Team Canada in international curling competitions, and we’ll be working hard to be able to put our best performance on the ice in October.”

Various ticket options for the 2024 Pan Continental Championships are now available. CLICK HERE for more information.

As well, volunteer applications are now being accepted. CLICK HERE for more information