#BetweenTheSheets: Season Preview
Qualification Time: All eyes on Torino
The 2024/2025 curling season is here!
And the 11th season of #TwineTime coverage!! Wow! It started in 2014 and continues to grow.
The new season officially hit the ice last weekend in Switzerland with many top international men's teams competing at the Baden Masters.
When the last rock came to a halt, European champions Team Mouat made #HIStory in becoming the first Scottish rink to win the title.
And with the first giant cheque handed out, it means we need to preview the upcoming season.
With the 2026 Winter Olympics a mere 18 months away, all eyes this season are on Olympic qualification.
Of course teams will be chasing down tour titles, grand slam titles, continental championships and world championships too.
But if any top team said they were not fixated on earning their Olympic rings...well check their pulse or hook them up to a polygraph.
Olympic Qualification
Before we dive into the teams themselves, we first need to look at the nations they represent.
A team cannot start having Olympic aspirations if their nation does not even earn a seat at the table.
Last year's world championships were Part I of the Olympic qualification process.
This year's championships will be Part II.
At the end of this season, we will know which nations have earned their ticket to Torino, which have a second chance at the Olympic Qualification Event and which have had their Olympic dreams dashed.
Nations earn qualification points based on their final standing at the world championship. Win gold, earn 15 points. Make the playoffs, earn at least 8 points with a Top 6 finish. Miss the playoffs and you are in a fight heading into this season.
The Top 7 nations based on cumulative points from the 2024 and 2025 world championship results will earn a direct ticket to the 2026 Winter Olympics field.
Nations ranked between 9th and 13th (or between 8th and 12th if Italy is not among the Top 8) will qualify for the Olympic Qualification Event, scheduled for December 2025.
For nations outside the Top 13 (or Top 12 depending on Italy's final placement), all hope is not lost. Assuming the nation qualified for at least one world championship (2024 OR 2025) OR have competed in their continental championship A-Division (Europeans, Pan Continental) in 2024 OR 2025, they can earn a ticket to the Pre-Olympic Qualification Event. The Pre-Olympic Qualification Event will earn 3 spots into the Olympic Qualification Event.
The Olympic Qualification Event will round out the Olympic field by awarding the final two tickets to Torino.
Note, for Mixed Doubles there will be NO Pre-Olympic Qualification Event. A nation who does not earn direct qualification can earn a spot in the Olympic Qualification Event assuming they participated in either the 2024 OR 2025 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.
The MD Olympic Qualification Event will have 16 nations competing. If there are less than 16 nations eligible based on the qualification standard mentioned above, the world rankings (as of May 1, 2025) will determine the outstanding spots in the field.
Got all that?
Simple answer: Finish Top 7 at the past two world championships and you are good to go. 😉
Fun Fact: The Olympic Ice Stadium (Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio), the host venue for curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics, was built in the early 1950's and was featured in the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.
As a quick reminder, here is where the nations stand heading into this season based on last year's world championship performances:
MEN
- Sweden - 15 points
- Canada - 13
- Great Britain - 10
- Germany - 9
- USA - 8
- Switzerland - 7
- Netherlands - 6
- Czechia - 5
- Norway - 4
- Japan - 3
- South Korea - 2
- New Zealand - 1
Remember, Italy has already qualified as the host nation. For the rankings above, they would be sitting 3rd with 11 points due to winning the bronze medal at last year's world championship.
Sweden and Canada should be locks for the Olympics. Great Britain as well.
#TeamUpset from a year ago, Germany, control their fate. Having a 4 point cushion on the bubble (8th place overall), as long as they qualify for the 2025 world championships and win a few games, they should earn an Olympic spot.
USA and Switzerland are on the right side of the bubble...for now. But they may be sweating it out a bit.
#TeamOranje is on the bubble heading into the season, sitting in the final qualification space.
Czechia and Norway are right within striking distance though.
For those outside the bubble, their goal at the world championship is to finish, at minimum, above the Dutch by the amount of places they currently sit below them.
For example, for Norway to gain ground, they need to finish at least 2 spots higher than Netherlands at the 2025 World Men's Curling Championship in Moose Jaw.
A key factor to remember is if there is a TIE in the cumulative standings at the end of the 2025 world championship, and assuming the nations locked in the tie both competed in Moose Jaw, the tiebreaker goes to the nation who finished HIGHER in the standings in Moose Jaw.
In our example, if Norway finishes 5th and Netherlands finish 7th at the 2025 world championship, they would have the same amount of points but Norway would have the advantage due to their higher finish.
Of course, it also depends how the other nations do but for simplicity sake lets just use Netherlands and Norway as our example for the final ticket to Torino.
This also is an assumption both nations qualify for the world championship via the European Curling Championship.
Here is where it gets interesting for a nation like New Zealand.
The Kiwi's have some work to do to earn an auto spot. Luckily, they have already earned a ticket to the Olympic Qualification Event due to their participation in last year's world championship.
But for them to even gain ground on the standings, first they need to qualify for Moose Jaw at the 2024 Pan Continental Curling Championships. A championship event where those nations ahead of them (Canada, USA, Japan, South Korea) will be contesting but so will the return of China, who won the B-Division last year and will make their debut in the A-Division.
With Canada being world championship host, there are only 4 tickets up for grabs. USA, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and China will be the main contenders. But 1 of them will not make it to Moose Jaw.
For China, they will want to qualify for the world championship to keep shorten their Olympic journey. If they qualify, they at least earn a ticket to the World Qualification Event. If they do not qualify, they are left with the long road of Pre-Qualification.
WOMEN
- Canada - 15 points
- Switzerland - 13
- South Korea - 11
- Sweden - 9
- Denmark - 8
- USA - 7
- Great Britain - 6
- Norway - 5
- Turkey - 4
- Japan - 3
- Estonia - 2
- New Zealand - 1
Canada, Switzerland and South Korea are looking good. Remember, South Korea is hosting the 2025 World Women's Curling Championship in Uijeongbu so they will be adding to their points total.
Note, Italy would be sitting in 4th place with 10 points after their 4th place finish at last year's world championship.
Last year's #TeamUpset, Denmark, is in the same position as the German men. They control their fate after their "surprising" playoff ranking last year.
Team GB is holding down the final spot and sits right on the bubble this season. After Scottish Curling decided against sending their national champion to the world championships last season, will that be a move they end up regretting in the long run?
The Scottish women's teams will be under INTENSE pressure this season.
Although, remember the 2022 Winter Olympics when Eve Muirhead needed to survive the Olympic Qualification Event as well. And look how that end result worked out for Great Britain!!
Norway, silver medal winners at the 2023 world championship, and Japan, silver medal winners at the 2022 Winter Olympics, have some work to do as they sit on the wrong side of the bubble heading into the season.
Similar to Muirhead and Team GB though, Japan's Satsuki Fujisawa also took the Olympic Qualification Event route to Beijing and walked away with a silver medal.
Keep your eyes on Turkey and Estonia. Could either (or both) shock the curling world and earn their nations first Olympic curling berth?
And, remember the mention of China above? Similar comment could be made here as the Chinese women will be in Lacombe, AB for the Pan Continental Curling Championships A-Division. And they will be a very dangerous opponent.
Do not be surprised if China makes a run and pulls a Japan from 2022, making the field via the qualification event and becoming a podium threat.
MIXED DOUBLES
- Sweden - 27 points
- Estonia - 23
- Norway - 20
- Switzerland - 18
- Canada - 16
- Great Britain - 15
- South Korea - 14
- Japan - 12
- USA - 11
- Germany - 10
- China - 9
- Netherlands - 8
- Denmark - 7
- Australia - 6
- Czechia - 5
- Turkey - 4
- France - 3
- New Zealand - 2
- Spain - 1
The MD qualification can get MUCH more interesting.
With the MD world championship allowing more nations to compete in comparison to the men's and women's discipline, there are more opportunities to move up (or slide down) the Olympic qualification standings.
You could have a top finish one year but finish near the bottom of the table, outside the playoffs, the next. And, in doing so, the automatic ticket to Torino could slip between your fingers fast.
Sweden, Estonia and Norway look comfortable heading into the season based on their podium finish last year.
Estonia folks...could they qualify for their 1st Olympics?
South Korea sitting on the bubble right now. But even Canada and Great Britain are not sitting too comfy.
The MD teams who qualify for the world championship this season may be under the most pressure of any teams all season, regardless of discipline. If a nation does not reach the playoffs at the 2025 world championship, your direct pass is going to be in serious jeopardy.
We all know the MD motto: Expect the Unexpected.
Do not be surprised if some of those nations on the bubble move up while others move down.
On top of all the qualification standards, players are trying to fight for their right to be Olympians.
Not only are the athletes watching to see if their nation can qualify but they are also watching to see if they qualify.
Nations use various techniques to determine their Olympians, whether through a curling trials event or association selection.
The players will try to earn their national bragging rights and help clinch Olympic berths this season but, should they falter, they then turn their attention to cheering on their main rivals in hopes they earn the nation an Olympic spot.
You can fight for your right to bare the rings but unless your nation earns a spot there first, there isn't a fight worth contesting.
This is going to get VERY interesting!
#TeamUpset
We cannot have a season preview and just talk national pride, can we? We need to talk about the teams.
And what better way to start then discuss the teams who could surprise the curling world this season.
Looking for some #TeamUpset flag bearers heading into the season?
#TwineTime has you covered.
Remember, a team is considered a #TeamUpset if they sit outside the Top 20 world rankings heading into the season.
MEN
1. Team Muskatewitz (Germany, #24)
Nobody can argue this one, right?
This was the team who shocked the system last year at the world championships by making the playoffs and putting Germany back into the Olympic conversation.
They already hit the ice this season, competing last weekend in Baden where they knocked off #1 ranked Team Retornaz and qualified for the playoffs.
And remember, 3/4 of this team was still competing in juniors last year and chasing world junior glory.
This is a very dangerous team...especially as they continue to gain more confidence.
2. Team Hostmaelingen (Norway, #32)
Speaking of the rise of #NextGen teams, how about the current world junior champions?
How often do we see the world junior champions hovering around a Top 30 world ranking?
This is a very strong team and another dangerous one to watch out for.
Similar to Team Muskatewitz above, they also competed in Baden last weekend. They just missed the playoffs with a 2-2 RR record due to the TB procedure. For what it's worth, 8 teams finished with a 2-2 RR record and were left fighting for 1 playoff spot.
While they missed the playoffs, their losses were to reigning Scottish champs Team Whyte and eventual Baden Masters finalists Team Schwaller. They also knocked off #25 ranked Team Stocker and #27 ranked Team Gosgens.
Remember when Magnus Ramsfjell was the up and comer in Norway, chasing down the legend Thomas Ulsrud?
Ramsfjell is now the hunted and Lukas Hostmaelingen is the hunter. Norwegian curling is going to be fun to watch for the next few years.
3. Team Asselin (Quebec, #33)
The Jean-Michel Menard Effect?!
The 2006 Brier champion is back on competitive men's curling ice this season.
Menard stepped away from the sport in 2017 but returned to mixed curling in 2021, winning the Canadian championship and then winning the 2022 World Mixed Curling Championship.
Now that he has tasted championship glory once again, he is back in the men's game looking for the same as vice with Felix Asselin.
Here is a great back-end tandem of experience and future star. We have seen Asselin's curling cred continue to rise over the past few years. Is the addition of Menard the difference maker to take the team from Brier participant to Brier playoff qualifier?
Don't kid yourself. This team was already solid before the addition of Menard of course. They just increased their danger factor welcoming him to the team.
Special shoutout to lead Jean-Francois Trepanier. Not only one of the nice guys in the sport but also a very under the radar lead. He and his family have gone through a lot off the ice. And he continues to be one of the best leads in Canada on the ice.
Keep your eyes on this team from #Labelleprovince this season!
4. Team Nyman (Sweden, #51)
King Niklas rules the land, not only in Sweden but across the curling world.
If curling was equated to the Game of Thrones, Niklas Edin would be sitting atop the Iron Throne.
BUT...every king needs to watch out for someone close stepping up to take him down.
Enter Fredrik Nyman, Patric Maberga, Simon Olofsson and Johannes Patz.
They are flying the flag of Solleftea, Sweden and are coming for the throne.
Ok, it is going to take A LOT to knock off Edin and his Swedish Vikings. But, Sweden does need a succession plan for when the King decides to step away. What if this Olympic cycle is the last?
Team Nyman could be the future face of Swedish curling. After all, they are the current Swedish men's national champions.
Last season we saw them compete on the Nordic Curling Tour, reaching the playoffs at each event. We also saw them at the #GSOC Tour Challenge Tier II event.
They continue to move up the rankings and finishing Top 30 by the end of this season is VERY realistic.
5. Team JaeBeom Lee (South Korea, #126)
This #NextGen team from Uiseong, South Korea has already been a #TeamUpset this season.
At the Korean Curling Championships in June, Team Lee shocked EVERYONE when they won the Korean championship.
They upset 2023 champion Team Park in the championship final. They also knocked off 2022 champion Team Jeong in the 3vs4 playoff and 2021 champion Team Kim in the SF.
To say nobody expected Lee to be the Korean champion heading into this important Olympic qualification season would be an understatement.
We last saw Lee on the international stage skipping the South Korean team at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships, where the team missed the playoffs with a 4-5 record.
When Lee aged out of junior, the remaining members of the team continued pursuing junior glory at the 2023 world junior championships but they missed the playoffs again with a 2-7 record and Korea was relegated to the B-Division, where they still remain.
Pressure will be on the #NextGen team this season. They will compete at the Pan Continental Curling Championships in hopes of securing Korea a spot at the world championship and strengthen their chance for an Olympic ticket.
They were the first #TeamUpset of the season. Can they continue it all season long though?
WOMEN
1. Team Dupont (Denmark, #26)
In Canada, there is talk every season on how Krista McCarville could be one of the best if she played a full-time schedule.
Internationally, welcome Madeleine Dupont. Dupont is not able to travel to Canada as often as she would like to compete at the "bigger" events. As such, her team doesn't climb up the rankings and the number next to her name is not always a reflection of how good her team really is.
Case in point, the past few years. Remember when they won the European title in 2022?
Or how she has reached the playoffs at the world championship in 2022 and 2024?
Or maybe how she has represented Denmark at the Olympics in 2010, 2018 and 2022?
She may not pad the stats with tour titles but when it comes to the big events where the results mean more, Dupont steps up and comes to play.
With this being a pivotal year for Olympic qualification, she may be one of the most dangerous female skips in the world. Do not let the high-fiving, dancing and all smiles fool you. She is an ice assassin!
And a new mother.
DYK, Denmark has qualified for the women's tournament at every Winter Olympics? They are one of six nations who can make the claim to fame, joining Canada, Great Britain, Japan, Sweden and USA.
2. Team Ueno / Team Tabata (Japan, #29 / #30)
Ok, so we are double dipping a bit here. But for good reason.
Japan is LOADED with curling talent, especially on the women's side of the game.
We know Team Fujisawa (#12) as the face of Japanese curling.
We have seen Team Kitazawa (#19) and Team Yoshimura (#21) become main challengers and tour threats.
Last season we welcomed two more major tour contenders to the conversation with Team Ueno and Team Tabata.
Lets remember who the current Japanese champions are after all: Team Ueno.
Both of these teams create a 5 pack challenge for the Japanese curling championship this season.
And with Japan on the bubble for direct Olympic qualification, the fight is going to be even more intense among the Japanese female teams this season.
The Top 3 slipped up last season and Ueno brushed them aside to claim the national title. Pressure on Ueno this season to #DefendTheIce while the main challengers look to move back on top and Tabata looks to follow the #TeamUpset storyline.
Watch all 5 of these teams throughout the Fall portion of the season.
And keep your eyes on the Japanese Curling Championships in February 2025!!
3. Team Henderson (Scotland, #44)
Talking about a national champion who has something to prove this season, Team Henderson has entered the chat.
They have to be asking themselves, what more can we do?
Last season was full of dramatics for Scottish Curling.
Team Henderson won the Scottish championship. And, similar to men's champion Team Whyte, were not selected to represent Scotland at the world championship.
Rivals Team Morrison were picked, the team Henderson knocked off to claim the title.
Morrison ended up missing the playoffs at worlds, finishing in 8th place with a 5-7 record. The result leaves Team GB right on the bubble for the direct ticket to Torino.
So what does Henderson do this season? Do they go into the season with a chip on their shoulder? Do they go into the season feeling like they have something to prove? Or do they go into the season feeling a bit defeated knowing even a national championship win might not be enough for their Olympic dreams?
They need to come out of the hack quick in their opening tour events. Playoff qualification is a MUST but reaching finals and winning tour titles early seems to be needed too.
Is every event they enter a de facto elimination event? Do well and they stay in the discussion. Falter and their might not be a discussion to have by the end of the season.
Team Henderson and Team Whyte might want to invest in the same sports psychologist for the season. They both are battling up hill and needing bigger results week in and week out compared to their Scottish rivals.
4. Team Wang (China, #48)
Last year the blog named Team Han as a #TeamUpset challenger. They started the season ranked #116 and finished the season at #40.
Han skipped her team to an impressive 28-5 record, winning 1 tour title, qualifying in all 4 tour events entered and winning the Pan Continental Curling Championships B-Division to earn China an A-Division spot this season.
Han has made a move in the offseason, joining forces with main national rival Rui Wang.
Team Wang will employ a 5-member rotation this season with Han taking on vice duties and Wang as skip. The front end will be Ziqi Dong, Ying Yang and Xiaohan Yu.
To say China is putting all their eggs in one team basket and padding the team for the Olympic push is an understatement. After not competing internationally since pre-COVID, this season is their only change for an Olympic ticket.
Han accomplished Step 1 last season, earning China a spot in the PCCC A-Division this season. This result means, worse-case scenario, China can compete in the Pre-Olympic Qualification Event.
But China has loftier goals than that event. And this is the "dream team" in China to make it happen.
All the pressure. Needing all the results.
But do not be surprised to see this team land on the podium at PCCC and make the playoffs at the world championship. Those results likely won't be enough to earn them a direct entry but it will give them a ton of confidence and momentum heading into next season and the Olympic Qualification Event.
Watch. Out!
5. Team Barker (Saskatchewan, #49)
#TeamGreen is WIDE OPEN this season. The Saskatchewan women's curling scene is ever-evolving and no team has really cemented itself as the "front runner".
Jolene Campbell (#27) and defending champ Ashley Thevenot (#28) are the highest ranking teams entering the season. Past champion Michelle Englot (#42) continues to fight as well and is a threat.
But it might be two-time champion Penny Barker as the under the radar dark horse to watch out for. Barker won the Sask Scotties title in 2017 and 2022.
Barker has a new look team this season, adding former Team Martin vice Lindsay Bertsch at third and Taryn Schachtel (2013 SK Scotties champion with Team Jill Shumay) at second. Danielle Sicinski remains with Barker at lead.
Over the past few years, one could argue Penny Barker is one of, if not the, most consistent skips in Saskatchewan. She is a threat on the Sask Curling Tour. She can make playoff runs at tour events. She is always a playoff threat at the SK Scotties. And, as already mentioned, is a past champion.
With Saskatchewan being anyone's for the taking this year, keep your eyes on a the two-time champ and her new look team to make some moves.
#PowerRankings
We have discussed teams who could make moves this season and push for Top 20 (or higher) final rankings by the end of the season.
Now lets focus on those top teams. Who are the best of the best? Where do the teams stand heading into the season?
Bring on the mountain (current world ranking in parenthesis)...
MEN
1. Team Edin (#6)
Ok, this might be starting off the Power Rankings with controversy.
Was Team Edin the "best" team overall last season? On paper, no.
Did Team Edin end the season as world champions once again? Yuppers!
The world champs, with King Niklas, earn the respect of starting the season atop the mountain.
But it will not be easy to stay here.
They opened their season last weekend in Baden with a SF result. A solid start to the season as the skipper continue to nurse himself back to health after a few off-season surgeries once again.
Surgeries and injuries aside though, Edin is the GOAT and as long as he is curling, he is always a threat.
2. Team Retornaz (#1)
The team who enters the year ranked #1 is the team who has no Olympic pressure but sizeable weight on their shoulders.
Joel Retornaz has been a familiar name with curling fans for years, ever since his debut international breakthrough as the host team at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Fast forward almost 20 years later and Retornaz now has Olympic podium potential. Talk about growth.
But also pressure this season. He faltered at the Euro's last year after dominated the RR. And he once again was unable to solve the SF curse at the world championship.
Is this the year for the ultimate international breakthrough as lead-up to the home Olympics?
3. Team Whyte (#5)
Speaking of looking for a breakthrough, slide into the chat Team Whyte!
They won tour events. They reached a #GSOC final. They won the Scottish championship.
Yet they watched the world championship from home, slightly annoyed perhaps to not be given a chance.
What more could they do?
Pressure on them this season. They know they have to not match last season but beat it.
And, unfortunately, almost hope for your main rivals (and close friends) to slip up as well. Talk about an almost unwinnable situation.
If Mike McEwen is named as one of the best Canadian curlers to never win a Brier, will Team Whyte go down in history as one of the best teams to never play a world championship?
That would be heartbreaking...and feels wrong.
4. Team Mouat (#2)
Speaking of Scottish curling, what's up Team Mouat?
They also had a no-win situation last year. Was it their fault they were selected ahead of Whyte to go to world's?
They did win the Euro championship on home ice after all. And they were defending world champs.
This is a good reminder curling fans on how you can feel bad for one team (Whyte) but not have to take it out and be negative against another (Mouat). BOTH are great teams!
Now people may be looking at the mountain a little perplexed on how Whyte is ahead of Mouat here.
These are PRE-SEASON Power Rankings so I am trying to not let this past weekend's results weigh in.
BUT, having said that, with Mouat winning the Baden Masters title, including a SF win over Whyte, if these rankings were updated based on last weekend's results Mouat MIGHT just find themselves at #1 right now. 😉
5. Team Gushue (#3)
At the halfway marker on the mountain and our first mention of a Canadian team? How dare you TwineTime!
Put down the pitch forks Canadian curling fans.
Can you really argue against those Top 4 teams?
Gushue is the Class of Canada, no question there. The gap between the NL team and the rest of Canada is fairly wide...and continues to grow it seems.
For most curling fans, Gushue is already being penciled in as Team Canada in Torino.
Winning 4 Brier titles in 5 years cements your legacy and earns you that respect of course.
Gushue will be chasing the #4peat this season at the Brier. He will also be chasing that elusive world championship, a title he has one only once and that was in his first appearance in 2017.
Since then, 4 straight silver medals. The toughest medal to hang around your neck at the end of the week.
Is this the year?
6. Team Schwaller (#7)
Sweden. Scotland. Canada. It seems the international curling discussion focuses on those three nations the most. And for valid reasons as those nations continue to produce top talent and world champions.
Yet Switzerland remains a top contender but also an under the radar challenger.
Welcome to the chat Team Schwaller.
Always a threat, whether at a tour event or a #gsoc or Euro's or world championships. You know this team is going to be in the playoff fight and is probably a team you do not want to see next to yours on the bracket.
We are just waiting for the big international breakthrough. When will it happen? It has to happen, right?
7. Team Jacobs (#4)
Bottcher is out, Jacobs is in.
This was perhaps the biggest offseason move in the curling world. Everyone was talking about it.
But the off ice dramatics are put to bed. Now you have to back it up with results.
On paper, this is the team who should not only challenge Team Gushue but could beat Team Gushue for the Brier title. It didn't happen last year, not even close.
Could a change at the skipper position be the difference maker?
If so, great move. If not, what was the point?
This team needs to make their move, the move many expected to happen last year.
8. Team Dunstone (#9)
If Jacobs falters once again, is this when we rediscover #DunnyIsMoney?
Dunstone took a tough loss at the Brier last season. We saw it on his face post-game. And we love an athlete who is authentically himself and wears his heart on his sleeve in front of the fans.
Have we, the fans, placed too much pressure and expectation on young Dunstone's shoulders too early?
This blog might have, having keyed him as the 2026 Olympic pick back in 2017/2018. And I don't mean that as a knock against him but rather a knock against myself.
Dunstone has the skill. He has the game. And maybe too much pressure to be so good so quick.
Look how long it took Gushue to bust through and win a Brier. Expectations are high on young Matty Dunstone.
A great example of how sports psychology can play an equal, if not more important, role into success.
The curling world is still rooting for you Matty...but holding off on expectations not out of lack of confidence but out of respect.
9. Team McEwen (#8)
Yes, lets talk about pressure and expectations weighing heavily on your shoulders.
Would you like to enter the chat Mike McEwen?
Perhaps the best curler to not win a Brier is Mike McEwen. And he has come oh so close.
Last year was almost like a return to glory days for McEwen, now with his new team out of Saskatchewan. He has the Regina fans buzzing throughout the Brier. It was electric.
Now comes the million dollar question teams who lose finals always face: "How do you respond the following year?"
We see it in all professional sports. How will the Edmonton Oilers respond this upcoming season after coming so close to tasting Stanley Cup glory last season?
All eyes will be on Team McEwen to see if they can continue their upward momentum and avoid the common "oh so close" hangover decline.
And we know all of Saskatchewan will be watching and cheering. Talk about pressure....Sasky curling fans can apply it, even when they may not mean to do so.
10. Team Koe (#10)
When we talk about gossip and rumours during the offseason, hello Team Koe.
After their shocking disappointment at the Brier last season, the curling world was rumbling with rumours.
Is Kevin going to retire? Is he going to find a new team? Is his current team punting him? Will there be change to the team?
When the dust settled and time elapsed, what happened? Nothing! Same old, ho hum.
In typical Koe style, he stayed silent, ignored the chitter chatter and did nothing. Gotta respect it.
Now the question is how the team regroups? Can they put the past in the past and move forward?
Always a fan fav, especially with Tyler Tardi on the team as well being another fan fav.
What does Team Koe do this season?
Hon. Mention: Team Brunner, Team Craik, Team Carruthers, Team Sluchinski, Team Shuster
WOMEN
1. Team Homan (#1)
Last season it was Team Homan's world and we were all just living in it. Lets see how the world champs follow up a dominant year.
To be the best, you have to beat the best. Who can step up to take down the best though?
2. Team Tirinzoni (#2)
The most dominant team over the past Olympic cycle tasted some of their own medicine last year, watching Team Homan do to the curling world what they have been doing for 4 years.
They are still the Euro champs. They won world silver. And they are still one of the best teams to ever step on the ice.
Alina Paetz is still, in this blogger's humble opinion, the best overall female curler in the game.
3. Team Gim (#3)
Almost feels too low to see Team Gim sitting at #3 on the rankings but then you look at the teams above and you can't argue with it.
This is a VERY strong team. The dark horse Olympic gold medal threat heading into the season.
They already accomplished Step 1 for this season in retaining their Korean championship in June.
They will represent Korea at all major international events this season, including being the home team at the world championship.
Opening the season at #3 but could easily finish higher by the end of the season.
4. Team Hasselborg (#5)
The Hasselborg Circus is ready to roll into curling rinks across the globe once again this season. But this time, it means business.
Last season seemed like their return to prominence. This year, it is about reclaiming championships.
They want the Euro title back. They want to return to top of #GSOC podiums. And, more importantly, they want that elusive world championship title.
But they also have to watch over their shoulders...
5. Team Wrana (#6)
The Swedish Curling race to the Olympics is going to be interesting.
Team Wrana dethroned rival Hasselborg last year for the Euro spot.
Hasselborg earned revenge earning the world championship spot.
And we get to watch them both fight it out once again this season.
Step 1 for Wrana was knowing they can defeat "big, bad Hasselborg". Now she has to prove she can do it on a regular basis. If there was ever a year to make a statement, this is it as you lead into the Olympic discussion.
6. Team Constantini (#9)
The Olympic hosts can breath easy again this season, knowing they are *likely* the team to represent Italy in 2026.
But they have some unfinished business to attend to as well this season.
They lost the Euro final last year. They just missed the world championship podium.
If they can accomplish one (or both) of those objectives this season, they will have huge momentum heading into the Olympic season.
Do not think they have "nothing" to play for this season folks.
7. Team Einarson (#8)
Can a team who dominated the Canadian curling scene for a number of years be considered an "after thought" now?
Don't tell Kerri Einarson that. She is ready to prove everyone wrong once again.
It was a tough end of season for the Einarson rink. The Scotties dramatics. The gossip and rumours.
And those rumblings carry over into this season. People are still talking about "the incident" and wondering what happens next. Curling Canada and the team have been very quiet about the topic during the off-season.
There are distractions that could derail a season fast...if you let them.
But we saw how Einarson responded to the distractions in real time at the Scotties. And the team still looked strong and dominant while under the microscope.
If those distractions can be put to rest (and full transparency on what happened and if there are further disciplinary actions to be had) early in the season and the team can remain focused, Einarson could become the dangerous team we know them to be.
Just gotta survive those first few events...
8. Team E. Kim (#7)
Two Canadian teams. Two Swedish teams. Why not two Korean teams in the Top 8?
When you talk about a team who dealt with adversity, battled back and finally found their footing once again, Team Kim can slide into the DMs with their own story to tell.
Similar to Einarson, this team is up against a gauntlet national rival. Kim failed to win back the Korean title, meaning once again they sit a bit on the sidelines this season. They will not represent Korea internationally.
However, it does not mean they cannot fight for tour titles and ranking points and put pressure on their main rivals heading into the Olympic season next year. It feels like this team has cemented their place among the Top 10 and are not going to go away any time soon.
9. Team Carey (#4)
Ok, this may be the controversial moment on the mountain. Team Carey, ranked #4, sitting at #9.
The reason? Change can be good and change can be hard.
Jennifer Jones has retired. Chelsea Carey is stepping into the hack. And she has some big skipper shoes to fill in doing so. And after not competing full time on tour.
How does the team respond with a new skipper? How does the skipper respond to a new team?
There will be some growing pains, especially when you step on the ice against teams who are not battling the change demon.
All the pressure will be on Carey. She has the team in front of her to be a force. She just needs to match it and keep them at the top of their games.
10. Team Schwaller (#11)
Canada has three. Sweden has two. Korea has two. But what about Switzerland?
It has been awhile since we have seen TWO solid Swiss teams on the mountain. Welcome Team Schwaller.
It was a breakout season for Xenia Schwaller and her Zurich teammates.
They were one of the ultimate #TeamUpset winners last season, moving up the rankings consistently and now finding themselves among the Top 10 on the Power Rankings.
And while they may still see themselves as the hunter, trying to chase down national rival Tirinzoni, they are also the hunted as they occupy a spot teams below them want.
It will be interesting to see how Schwaller navigates the season, fighting to stay in the conversation with Tirinzoni while also having a target on their backs from other competitors.
They proved their might last year. Can they keep the momentum going?
Hon. Mention: Team Lawes, Team Fujisawa, Team Peterson, Team Sturmay, Team Cameron
MIXED DOUBLES
1. Team Kaldvee / Lill (Estonia, #1)
Ok, I know the world champions have been starting atop the mountain for the men's and women's rankings. And yes, Estonia's Team Kaldvee/Lill did not win the world title last year.
BUT, they did reach the final. They won Estonia's first-ever world championship medal.
And they DOMINATED the mixed doubles scene last season. Can anyone really argue against them being #1?
They are the #1 team in the world rankings too.
And they have Estonia on the cusp of history, earning the Baltic nation their first ever Olympic berth in curling.
This could be a VERY magical and special season for the experienced duo.
2. Team Wrana / Wrana (Sweden, #8)
The family that curls together, wins together.
The Wrana siblings may not have played a bunch of MD events together last season but with the success of their respected four-person teams, it was easy to come together and continue to win.
Rasmus Wrana was a double world champion last season folks. #HIStory!
And, as long as this duo wants to continue to compete together, they will remain a MD threat.
Rasmus looks like a lock for the men's Olympic team with Team Edin.
Isabella is in a fight for the women's team against Team Hasselborg.
Should her women's team falter, will joining forces with her brother be her ticket to the Olympics?
3. Team Skaslien / Nedregotton (Norway, #2)
When you talk about mixed doubles curling to any true curling fan, the duo of Skaslien/Nedregotton has to be top of mind.
The couple off the ice can dominate the game on the ice. And no team has been more consistent, year in and year out, then the Norwegians.
The question remains, when will they finally win gold? They have Olympic silver and bronze. They have world championship silver and bronze.
Can this be their season? Will the 2026 Winter Olympics be their golden moment?
We hate to say anyone "deserves" a world title or Olympic gold medal but this tandem is VERY close to earning that title.
4. Team Walker / Muyres (Canada, #3)
If we want to talk consistency, Walker/Muyres should be in the discussion.
When we look at Canadian mixed doubles history, this duo has the track record to be considered the best.
They just need to put it together at the right time and earn back that maple leaf jacket.
Mixed doubles is probably the hardest discipline to have repeated longevity and success, thus making the three teams above them in these rankings even more special.
Lots can happen in a mixed doubles game. And with a nation like Canada loaded with individual top talent, anyone really can beat anyone at a Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.
Are Walker/Muyres still one of the best in the world? Absolutely.
Can they take home a medal at a world championship and/or Winter Olympics? Absolutely.
They just need to go out and make it happen.
5. Team Koana / Aoki (Japan, #4)
The #TeamUpset of the mixed doubles world last season was Japan's Team Koana/Aoki.
Nobody saw their meteoric rise up the rankings coming. Koana returned after a "retirement". Aoki was focused on the men's game.
They came together and found success. Quickly. As in they were not only winning games but winning events.
Their only real hiccup was losing the Japanese championship, a feat they will aim to correct this season.
And if they do, watch out.
6. Team Lott / Lott (Canada, #6)
If Walker/Muyres are to slip up, married couple Lott/Lott are ready to pick up the stone...and the maple leaf.
The defending Canadian champions are no "surprise" champs either. They have come so close to that title in the past and finally made it happen last year.
On the world stage, they held their own in making the playoffs at the world championship and finishing 5th overall. They only suffered 2 losses during the event, losing to the eventual champions in the RR and the runner-up in the playoffs. Not bad!
7. Team Matsumura / Tanida (Japan, #5)
Are we really surprised to see another Japanese team on this list?
It was mentioned above how Japan is producing top curling athletes at a record pace. They have a huge pool of athletes, challenging Canada in top tier quality.
Matsumura/Tanida are no strangers to the MD world either. They reached the 2023 world championship final after all, winning a silver medal.
Expect another tough battle between them and Koana/Aoki for the Japanese championship this season, assuming neither is upset along the way.
Japan has a VERY realistic shot at being one of the gold medal favourites in the discipline heading into Torino.
8. Team Martin / Laycock (Canada, #9)
How close can one get to success without ever tasting it? Nancy Martin may have the answer.
Remember back in 2021 when Canada was trying to figure out who to send to Beijing as Team Canada for mixed doubles?
Remember how Nancy Martin, partnered with Tyrell Griffith at the time, was the highest ranking Canadian team in the world?
Remember how they were NOT selected only to see the team Canada did select fail to medal anyway?
If anyone has a chip on their shoulder and wanting the win more than anything, it is Nancy Martin.
And deservingly so.
Partnering up with fellow Sasky Steve Laycock, this duo has the potential to make some noise on the MD circuit and should be considered a #Fav at the 2025 Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.
Again, we don't want to say "deserving" but Martin sure feels like she is deserving of a break eventually.
9. Team Schwaller-Hurlimann / Schwaller (Switzerland, #13)
We know what happens when couples curl together. They seem to find some success.
Skaslien/Nedregotton. Lott/Lott. Jones/Laing. Schwaller-Hurlimann/Schwaller.
The Swiss couple had a strong world championship campaign last season, winning the bronze medal.
A duo who does not compete as regularly on the MD circuit as some of their opposition but, when they do, they are a podium threat.
They are the Swiss frontrunners for the Olympic spot heading into this season but they will be chased by experienced duo Perret/Rios.
10. Team Roenning / Braenden (Norway, #7)
Speaking of the chase, Norway's Team Roenning/Braenden are the chase group going into the season.
They are trying to chase down the perennial MD favs Skaslien/Nedregotten.
Do not sleep on them and their potential though. Remember, they did win world championship bronze in 2023, beating Canada's Jones/Laing for the medal.
And it is the same result their rivals accomplished at last year's world championship.
This battle for MD supremacy in Norway is closer and more interesting than curling fans are giving it credit for. Keep your eyes on this one.
Hon. Mention: Team St-Georges/Asselin, Team Thiesse/Dropkin, Team Papley/van Amsterdam, Team Weagle/Epping, Team Gill/Hewitt
#StayTuned
The blog will once again do its best to bring you weekly tour coverage, previewing upcoming events with #TwineTimePreviews and #TwineTimePredictions.
Plus the #PowerRankings will be updated weekly. How will the weekend results shake up the mountain? Can teams move up or slip up?
Get your slider on rock heads...we are in for one slippery season.
And to all those who have been supporting and following #TwineTime curling coverage over the past 10 years, whether all 10 years or recent, THANK YOU!
Bring on Season 11 😀
Happy Curling 🥌
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