S2324 W Preview

#BetweenTheSheets: Women's Season Preview

Hot Topics, #TeamUpset, #PowerRankings and Predictions

Hope you all enjoyed the past 3 months of a curling break.

We cannot even call it an off-season really anymore.

The season ended in May in Regina at the Champions Cup.

The season is, technically, already under way as tour events have already been played in Japan while Korea, New Zealand and Australia have already contested their national championships.

I guess the blog is already behind in previewing the upcoming season, no?

This curling break has been about as long as it takes for me to make 300+ jello shooters for an annual family camping trip in July.

Let's get the preview posts starting with the women's season preview.

Before diving into the preview, I want to first let all of you rock heads know the #TwineTime brand has expanded.

DYK #TwineTime is now on YouTube? Sure enough, you can check out past post-game interviews with your favourite players on the #TwineTime YouTube channel HERE.

Subscribe to receive updates when new interviews are posted. Currently you can see past interviews with players from the 2021 National and 2022 Pan Continental Curling Championships.

Similar to last year, it is +30C in Calgary this week and here I am once again talking the cold sport of curling. Maybe the mindset will help eliminate the sweat pouring from my forehead while I work away.

Hey, at least I am in a new house this year so more space to escape the heat. But alas, still no A/C my rock head friends.

The heat outside means we bring the heat to the rink with a few Hot Topics followed by the Team Upset Top 5 and our Top 10 Power Rankings.

#HotTopics

New teams, who dis?

Well this is becoming an annual preview discussion isn't it?!

Every season, now more than ever in the past, players are jumping all over the map to try out a new team dynamic in hopes of forming that "perfect" combination to compete and win.

And there have been some big moves this off-season.

Andrea Kelly joining forces with Krista McCarville.

Mackenzie Zacharias taking a "step back" from the team she created and once lead to junior glory.

Team Tirinzoni swapping out a world championship player for an up and coming talent before last season even ended.

Casey Scheidegger gone from the game, at least competitively speaking but will be putting on the coaches hat for the University of Lethbridge.

Kate Cameron leading a new team out of Manitoba.

The return of Marie-France Larouche with Team St-Georges in Quebec.

Displaced Briar Schwaller finding a new home with Swiss competitors Team Huerlimann.

And many teams returning to full strength after celebrating the birth of new baby boys and girls during last season and/or this off season.

SOOOOO many changes. But which will pay off in the long run?

As we have learned in the past, not all of these moves will result in success. Some may not even make it through the season.

It will be very interesting to watch it all play out as teams start their Olympic preparations...but more on that below.

As a special aside, congratulations to Denmark skip Madeleine Dupont who announced her pregnancy in an IG post this week. The 2023 Euro champ will not be able to #DefendTheIce this November as a player but will be on the bench as coach. The blog wishes Maddie and family all the best!

Olympic Prep - Phase I

Here. We. Go.

Last season was the "throwaway season" coming out of an Olympic year and preparing for the next Olympic cycle.

Now the fun and games are over. Time to get serious, Batman!

For Canadian teams, this season is step one of the Olympic trials process. For the quick and easy qualification summary, TSN has you covered right HERE.

The 2024 Scotties winner will earn a ticket to the Trials.

The season CTRS leader will do the same.

And this is season one of the combined two-year CTRS total points system, which will hand out 3 more Olympic trials tickets at the conclusion of next season.

The pressure on teams is mild. But do yourself a favour and nab one of those two berths up for grabs this season to make next season a bit easier on yourself.

Oh, and for those who falter, as mentioned above, do they jump ship quick and try to find a new path to the Trials? Or do you stick out one bad year and hope you can go all in the next year and still qualify?

Do not think the Olympic pressure is just on Canadian teams though folks.

On the international side, we are seeing competition amp up as well.

We have new teams in Germany. Scotland is still a fight for who wants to take top spot. Japan has a handful of very strong teams. As does Korea. And look at the off-season drama in Switzerland.

From a nation perspective, this is also the season where world championship results matter. The path to Italy starts now.

Nations need to qualify for the world championships, which makes continental championships like the European Curling Championships and Pan Continental Curling Championships that much more important.

You cannot make the Olympics if you cannot make the world championship fields first.

The pressure will be amped up for those national representatives at those two continental events this fall.

Like I said, the pressure cooker is only set to mild this season. But, as the season rolls along, the temperature will be rising. And every team, and nation, will start to feel it.

The China Syndrome

As we (hopefully) put the COVID-19 pandemic in our rearview mirrors, China will be welcomed back onto the competitive ice this season.

Chinese teams were competing at local events in the past, some even able to compete at events in Asia.

But we have not seen many Chinese teams competing at tour events around the world.

And we certainly have not seen them competing for world championships.

All of that should change this season.

The Chinese are back. And it should increase the heat on the ice.

Chinese women's teams have taken huge strides in competition for the years leading up to the last Olympic cycle and pre-COVID.

And while the teams may have disappeared from the Top 100 rankings, they should be back and ready to race up those rankings this season.

As this season kick starts the Olympic qualification process, you know Chinese curling wants to get back into the sport and make their push for an Olympic ticket.

Just because we have not seen the Chinese teams on the ice competing on tour for some time does not mean they are teams who will not compete for tour titles and world championship podium spots once again.

Of course the nation is not registered for the Pan Continental Curling Championships in Kelowna as of this publishing. But that does not mean things cannot change between now and October.

Keep your eyes on the Chinese this season folks.

Eve Muirhead Returns...Sort of...

Well that was a short retirement.

In last season's preview post, the blog bid adieu to Scotland's Eve Muirhead. Muirhead announced her retirement at the end of the 2021/22 season.

As we get ready to slide out of the hack on a new season, we welcome back the Scottish Warrior to the ice.

In fact we will not have to wait long for her return as she will be competing with Switzerland's Team Jaeggi this upcoming weekend at the Euro Super Series in Stirling, Scotland.

As we see in all sports, the "R" word is never forever. And Muirhead adds her name to the list.

Muirhead is a crowd favourite. She is a curling ambassador, not only in Scotland and Great Britain but around the world. She has lent her Olympic champion voice to the #growthesport movement of fighting to keep curling clubs open in Scotland and discussing the economical side of the sport, not just the competitive side.

Her return to the game is a welcome and one that should bring smiles across many curling fans faces...but maybe a few frowns from her competitors.

How long she returns to competitive curling is unknown and only the skip herself can answer that question. But as she penned in her weekly column with The Courier announcing her return, "don't call it a comeback"

Yet?!?!

#TeamUpset

The blog is always on the look out for the next #TeamUpset challenger(s) who can make waves on the ice and surprise a few of those top contenders.

For a team to earn #TeamUpset consideration, they need to be ranked outside the Top 20 to start the season.

Last season the blog identified Team Galusha, Team Holland, Team Yoshimura, Team Jaeggi and Team Constantini as the Top 5 to watch.

And look how all those teams did last season. Solid results with moves up the rankings for some and turning heads along the way.

But who are the teams to watch this season?

Here are 5 teams with #TeamUpset potential:

1. Team Skrlik (AB, #21) - Oh those sneaky, quiet, fun loving Alberta champions. Very, very dangerous. I was almost surprised to see them actually sitting outside the Top 20 to qualify for this list. But also happy as they are a slam dunk team to put a few bets on to turn some heads this season and make a move up the rankings. Alberta remains theirs for the taking again this year and another Scotties appearance should be coming their way. Could a ticket to the Canadian Open #gsoc event also be there by mid-season? Don't be surprised if it happens folks! As an aside, I lost a corporate challenge final to Brittany Tran last year. Hey Brittany, if you can make sure you are curling the weekend of the city-wide corporate challenge so my team can take your place in the competition, much appreciated. 😏

2. Team E. Kim (SK, #26) - Last season was an off season for the 2018 Olympic silver medalists. A 24-18 overall record. A 4th place finish at last year's Korean championship. The team just never found their footing all season. Expect that to be a blip on the radar. Ok, sure they did not win the Korea championship this season, losing the final to main rival Team Gim. But do not think this is not still a major contender on tour. While we will not see them at PCC and the world championships, this is a team capable of fighting back into #gsoc fields and competing for titles. Consider this their "Welcome Back" season and expect to see them back in the Top 15 by season end.

3. Team Anderson (USA, #30) - Team Peterson remains the "Face That Runs The Place" for USA women's curling. But this could be the season where we see a changing of the guard. Watch out for Team Anderson. The back end Anderson sisters duo is very experienced and looks ready to make a run at Peterson for the USA championship. Last season they finished with a respectable 30-14 record overall, reaching two tour finals. They also won bronze at US Nationals. This is a team trending in the positive direction.

4. Team Peterson (Manitoba, #37) - The "other" Peterson on tour? Beth Peterson and her Manitoba team could be the dark horse contender in the Buffalo Hunt this year. Last year was a modest season, posting a 33-21 record overall. They reached 1 tour final and had 2 SF finishes. But this will be a different Team Peterson this season. Welcome to the fold Kelsey Rocque. Rocque will be joining the team for a 5-player rotation and her addition to the team could be the wildcard advantage they have been looking for. If they can sort out the 5-player rotation and find a system that works, watch out.

5. Team Han (China, #116) - When the blog says watch out for China, Yu Han is the one to watch out for. The skipper is only 22 and is a PACC champion (2019). Whether China plays in the PCC or not this season, or whether they do but have to compete in the B-division, Team Han is still to be a wildcard factor this season. Remember they represented China at the 2021 world championships, finishing with a 6-7 record. This is a team way more talented than their ranking indicates. Expect to see them jump back up the rankings this season. The one event we did see them compete at last, the 2023 World University Games, they won gold by defeating Korea's Team Ha in the final. Yes, the same Team Ha who reached the final of the inaugural Pan Continental Curling Championship.

#PowerRankings

Last season the blog was fairly successful in predicting the Top 10 of the Power Rankings to start the season, correctly tabbing 7 of the final teams in the season-ended Top 10.

And while the final placements were a bit off, it was still a strong prediction overall, including predicting Team Einarson to once again hoist the Scotties trophy.

Lets see how this season's preseason Top 10 rankings look.

1. Team Einarson (Manitoba)

You never bet against the defending champs, right? They are the #1 ranked team in the world. They have dominated their competition, both within Canada and internationally. All they are missing is that world championship title. And THAT is the motivation needed to keep them going at the high level they are playing at. Sure the Olympic cycle is now in their sights but we know they are going to be at the Trials, one way or another. So their "stress" of qualifying really is not that high. The weight of personal expectations to finally win a world title is the sight they have their eyes set on this season. To be the champs, you first have to beat the champs. Nobody in Canada has been able to do it. Can the Canadian champs finally do it to the world?

2. Team Homan (Ontario)

IF our Canadian champs are going to take a fall, this is the team ready to knock them off. Watch out for Rachel Homan folks. Having spoke with her at Champions Cup last May (interview to be posted on the YouTube page SOON!), there just seems to be a different aura around Homan. She seems more calm. She seems to be enjoying the sport more. The weighted expectation of winning and the freeing of talking about mental health really seems to be the difference maker in her right now. Add it all up and it makes her even more dangerous of a competitor. Often times we hear athletes say once they are able to let go of the expectations placed on them, they can operate at a much more competitive level. Homan has found that. Her team is rallying behind it. And this is a team looking very capable of winning the Scotties this year. Similar to Team Einarson, we know this team will be at the Olympic trials, one way or another. They should clinch one of those tickets this season, regardless of winning the Scotties or not. That "stress" also should not be too high on their shoulders. Plus we wish Homan all the best with the new addition to the family coming this season. This is still a perfect time to add to the family dynamic while still competing at a high level to earn a big reward at the end of the season.

3. Team Gim (South Korea)

This is my ultimate dark horse team. Every season this team continues to improve and excel and show they are capable of beating any team they step on the ice against. Now, with them winning the Korea Championships this summer, we will see them on the international stage. They will represent South Korea at the Pan Continental. They will represent South Korea at the world championships. Yes, I am "going out on a limb" assuming they will qualify Korea for the world championships with a Top 3 placement at PCC in October (Top 5 at PCC earn world championship berths by the way). And, in doing so, they are going to be a VERY difficult team to stop...just look at my world championship prediction below. We keep assuming this team is going to fall off the radar a bit and slip in the rankings. It hasn't happened. And I do not expect it to happen this season. If anything, I expect this to be an even louder "breakout" season for Team Gim. Watch Out!!

4. Team Fujisawa (Japan)

Leaped in the rankings by their Pacific-Asia rivals South Korea will not sit well for Japanese champions Team Fujisawa. And maybe that remains the fuel needed to keep this car trucking along for world supremacy this season. We saw this team break through last year with their first #gsoc championship at The Canadian Open. They also won the inaugural PCC title in Calgary. Why should we think they will not continue to be a solid Top 5 (or better) team this season? Missing out on the podium at last year's world championship will be a strong motivator for them. And they will be seeking revenge on rivals Team Einarson, the team who eliminated them at worlds but also at the two season-ending #gsoc events. The Fujisawa - Einarson rivalry could be one to keep your eyes on this season.

5. Team Hasselborg (Sweden)

Well that was not one of their better seasons last year, was it? But put it in the past and move on towards the future. That is the mantra needed for the 2018 Olympic champions. Team Hasselborg may have looked off their game last season but do not condition yourself to assume this is the start of a downward trend for the Swedish Vikings. On the contrary, expect this to be their "comeback" season. Well, as much as one can call it a comeback season when you still finish the year ranked #8 in the world. New babies are on board. And the team is being really challenged by a Swedish rival, who ended up finishing ahead of them on the year-end rankings. Once considered an easy lock for Euro and world championship fields, that lock has been cut and Team Hasselborg is in a fight now. And that just might be the missing motivation factor needed in this team. For years it was almost "too easy". It is not "too easy" anymore. A Swedish rival has emerged...and passed them. The world has caught up and is knocking them off. If Team Hasselborg wants to re-establish themselves as the "scary team to face" from the past, this is the season to start trending in that direction. Again, watch out! 

6. Team Wrana (Sweden)

Oh but if Team Hasselborg slips up, this could be the big breakout year for Team Wrana. I mean they did end last season with a #gsoc Players' Championship title after all. They are ranked #7 in the world and, finally, find themselves as the #1 women's team in Sweden. They are no longer the chaser but now the chasee. The big question for them will be how they handle the pressure. Can they finally knock off rivals Hasselborg for those international event spots like the Euros or the world championships? The #TeamUpset label is gone. The role of the underdog is no more. This is a top flight team who now needs to back up last season with strong results this season. All eyes will be on this team and how they perform. This is their sink or swim season.

7. Team Lawes (Manitoba)

With Team Einarson having the Team Canada berth and the Scotties and Team Jones being already handed one of the wildcard positions, the Manitoba Scotties seems to be Team Lawes for the taking. And that may eliminate a bit of stress on the team heading into this season. Yes, there are still MANY great teams in the province capable of knocking them off of course. But they should feel like they have a bit more room to breath as well with the top two contenders nowhere in sight. We never really saw the full Team Lawes effect last season due to lineup shuffling from pregnancies on the team. But this season we should get the Law(es) Effect on ice. And the gavel should come down swift and mighty. On paper this team has the resume to be a Scotties and world championship contender. They just need to put it all together with the results now. Last season was the chance for them to get their toes wet. This season they need to do a full polar plunge in the water and make a ripple effect for the future.

8. Team Tirinzoni (Switzerland)

On paper, they are still world champions and one of the best teams in the world. But there sure is a salty aftertaste in curling fans mouths after how they ended the season in Regina at the Champions Cup. Removing a player mid-event. After winning a world title. After said player just finished representing Switzerland at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship. In one move on Regina ice, Team Tirinzoni went from a team earning respect from all curling fans and competitors to a team people were raising their eyebrows against. The untouchables no more. There will be fallout from the decision last year. Heck, look how they played at Champions Cup. How they recover from it will be a telling tale to how their season goes. Is it fair to have off-ice distractions impact your on-ice results? No, it probably isn't. Does it happen in every sport, every year? It sure does. Team Tirinzoni is the team under the microscope this year.

9. Team Grandy (B.C.)

The blog was high on this new look team last year and look what they did. They dominated the early part of the season with big results. They were an early thorn in the side of the world champs Team Tirinzoni. They won the Tour Challenge Tier II. They won the B.C. Scotties. And they turned some heads at the Scotties. What will they do next? There is always concern about suffering a sophomore slump, especially coming out of such a successful rookie campaign. So there will be intensified pressure on this team. They are no longer the #TeamUpset. They are the team being chased, similar to Team Wrana above. And while other teams have wilted under the pressure, this does not appear to be a team ready to have that be their narrative this season. Mark it down now...this will be a team competing for a podium finish at the 2024 Scotties. Get ready. Get Grandy.

10. Team Jones (Manitoba)

I will state off the top this is a ranking position out of respect for a strong season last year and towards skipper Jennifer Jones. But I am weary about predicting a Top 10 finish for this team heading into this season. The decision by previous fearless leader Mackenzie Zacharias to step away from a team she has been leading since juniors is a major eye raiser. Sure we can all say it was a clean break and everyone is happy with the result but I also do not believe anyone is buying that narrative. And, again out of respect but being honest, unexpected team shakeups are on brand for Jones, no? Similar to Team Tirinzoni above, this team will also be under the microscope. Luckily for them they already secured a Scotties ticket so that stress level has been removed. But how does the rest of the former Team Zacharias members handle Mack not being on the ice with them every week? You can respect the lead of a HOF player like Jennifer Jones but will there be some lingering feelings still? If so, those can bring down team results very quick. Hopefully this team has come together over the summer, ready to be united for the new season. But many in the curling world have a small eyebrow raised still, right? Team dynamics aside though, the talent on this team speaks for themselves. As I was once told by a manager at work, "we do not have to get along or even be friends but we have to respect one another enough to get the work done." Enter Team Jones for this season?!

#TourLifePredictions

2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Team Einarson def. Team Homan

2024 Women's World Curling Championship: South Korea (Team Gim) def. Canada (Team Einarson)

2023/2024 #1 World Ranking (End of Season): Team Einarson

#StayTuned

The men's season preview is settling into the hack and ready to hit the house SOON.

Have thoughts on the preview above? Agree or disagree with the Power Rankings? The predictions? Or do you have a #TeamUpset challenger you are looking forward to seeing?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below and/or on social media.

And get your sliders and brooms out folks. Head to your local rink and register to play. I just might do the same this season for the first time in years.

If I can do it, you can do it! So lets do it together, yes?!?