Emma Miskew of Team Homan has criticized Curling Canada for recommending that her team skip the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts due to its proximity to the Winter Olympics. The decision, aimed at prioritizing Olympic preparation, highlights ongoing scheduling inequalities between men's and women's curling events. Miskew argues that male teams face no such restrictions.
Team Rachel Homan, fresh off a bronze medal in women's curling at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, did not defend their title at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts held from January 23 to February 1 in Mississauga, Ontario. The team, consisting of skip Rachel Homan, third Emma Miskew, second Tracy Fleury, and lead Sarah Wilkes, won the Canadian Olympic trials but was advised against competing in the national championship by Curling Canada.
In a summer 2025 decision relayed to trial teams, Curling Canada "strongly recommended" the women's winner avoid the Scotties to focus on Olympic performance. A spokesperson explained, "Our viewpoint was based on focusing performance on the Olympics, and with the four-player teams' departure scheduled for a couple days after the conclusion of the Scotties, it was determined that it would not be in the best interest of the women's trials winners to compete in the Scotties... and then turn around and fly to Europe and compete in an even more pressure-packed event less than two weeks later."
Miskew, who has five Scotties titles, expressed frustration on the Broom Brothers podcast, stating, "We weren’t given a choice." She acknowledged the preparation logic, saying, "(Playing in the Scotties) probably wouldn’t be ideal prep heading into an Olympics," but highlighted deeper issues. "I think our biggest issue with it is that for the last 16 years now... the men can do both and the women cannot," she said. "It’s always this scheduling-conflict reason, but no one has ever made any effort to change the schedule so that it doesn’t only affect the women."
The absence cost the team a chance at up to $100,000 in prize money, with no direct compensation for skipping the event beyond Olympic support from the Canadian Olympic Committee. Miskew noted, "One of the biggest things about it too is the prize purse at the Scotties and the Brier is substantial, and we aren’t given the opportunity to play for any of that purse."
In contrast, Brad Jacobs' men's team, Olympic gold medalists, is competing in the Brier starting six days after their final. Miskew pointed this out: "Jacobs is (playing in the Brier)... now they can go and play free, for a good sum of money." She emphasized the principle beyond finances.
Communication was another concern; Miskew said Curling Canada did not clarify the recommendation publicly, leading to misconceptions. The organization responded that a statement was issued in December, though details were limited.
For 2030, the Scotties are set for January 18-27, with Olympics starting February 1. Curling Canada plans to discuss adjustments with the Athlete Council, noting potential conflicts with events like the Grand Slam of Curling, but will explore options.
