Team Homan takes Scotties, off to Beijing to vie for world title

By Caitlin Galipeau

The Ottawa Curling Club’s Rachel Homan secured the Scotties Tournament of Hearts title for Team Ontario on Sunday. This is the 27-year-old skip’s third tournament title and she’s now the youngest skip ever — male or female — to win three Canadian curling titles.

Kanata-born Homan and the rest of Team Ontario faced Manitoba in the finals, with Homan squaring off against skip Michelle Englot, a nine-time provincial champion. At 53, Englot would have been the oldest skip to win the Scotties title.

Manitoba defeated Ontario twice in earlier matches.

The championship game was close, with Homan having to force an extra end by shooting a key double takeout. It wrapped up with Ontario winning 8-6.

The other members of Homan’s rink are third Emma Miskew, second Joanne Courtney and lead Lisa Weagle. Homan, who plays out of the Ottawa Curling Club on O’Connor Street, also won the Scotties in 2013 and 2014.

“That’s an unbelievable win by my team,” Homan said to Curling Canada shortly after her victory. “That’s the hardest win we have ever fought for, I think, especially with all the pressure and everything on the line.”

Homan’s performance in the game did not go unnoticed by tournament officials, who also named her the recipient of the Sandra Schmirler Most Valuable Player Award.

Team Homan will represent Canada at the CPT World Women’s Curling Championship in Beijing from March 18-26.

“We’re representing Canada and it’s a surreal feeling,” Homan said to Curling Canada. “I can’t wait to put the Maple Leaf on.”