Kaitlyn Lawes of Manitoba remained undefeated at the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, securing the first playoff berth with a 9-4 win over Yukon on Tuesday. Canada's Kerri Einarson also notched a victory, staying in contention, while Nova Scotia's Christina Black improved to 4-1 in Pool B. The national women's curling championship continues in Mississauga, Ontario, through February 1.
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Canada's premier women's curling event, is underway at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, from January 23 to February 1. With two-time defending champion Rachel Homan absent due to Olympic commitments, the field remains wide open for a new representative to the world championships in Calgary this March.
In Tuesday's Draw 11, Manitoba's Kaitlyn Lawes improved to 6-0, the only undefeated team in Pool A, after a 9-4 victory over Yukon's Bayly Scoffin. Lawes opened with three points and led 7-1 at the break, becoming the first squad to clinch a playoff spot. Canada's Kerri Einarson followed with a 10-4 win over Saskatchewan's Jolene Campbell, moving to 5-1 and holding second in the pool. Ontario's Hailey Armstrong defeated British Columbia's Taylor Reese-Hansen 7-3, while Nova Scotia's Taylour Stevens topped the Northwest Territories 10-4; both sit at 3-2.
Pool B saw Nova Scotia's Christina Black earn an 8-4 win over Northern Ontario's Krista Scharf in the morning draw, improving to 4-1 and curling at 88 percent efficiency. "We believe in ourselves — we know we can win," Black said after the match, emphasizing her team's momentum from a runner-up finish at the Olympic Trials. Manitoba's Beth Peterson leads Pool B at 4-0 after idling, with Alberta's Selena Sturmay (10-2 over Nunavut) and Kayla Skrlik (10-4 over Prince Edward Island) both at 3-1. New Brunswick's Melodie Forsythe edged Newfoundland and Labrador 9-6.
In Draw 12, Northern Ontario beat Nunavut 8-4, Sturmay topped Skrlik 9-5 in an all-Alberta matchup, Peterson defeated P.E.I. 8-7, and Black bested New Brunswick 7-4.
The top three teams from each nine-team pool advance to playoffs starting Friday. Past champions have pegged Black, Einarson, and Lawes as favorites, highlighting the blend of experience and emerging talent. Team Black, in their sixth appearance for skipper Black and eighth for third Jill Brothers, credits hard work and team unity for their strong start. "We're feeling pretty confident," Brothers added.
The tournament winner earns Canada's spot at the world championships.
