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4h ago

PointsBet Invitational Becomes Trials Rehearsal as Homan, Dunstone, Gushue Start Fast

The Calgary event mirrors Halifax trials conditions to sharpen Canada’s contenders.

Canada’s Rachel Homan, from left, Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, Sarah Wilkes, Rachel Brown and coach Viktor Kjell pose after winning the world championship in Uijeongbu, South Korea, onMarch 23, 2025.
Ontario skip Sam Mooibroek watches his shot during the 2025 Montana’s Brier in Kelowna, B.C.
Skip Myla Plett delivers a rock during the PointsBet Invitational at WinSport Event Centre in Calgary on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
Matt Dunstone reacts during the PointsBet Invitational at WinSport Event Centre in Calgary on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.

Overview

  • Curling Canada revamped the tournament to a 20-team round-robin-plus-playoff format to simulate the November Olympic trials and provide more arena-game reps.
  • Seven of eight men’s and seven of eight women’s trials-bound teams are competing in Calgary using the same rocks slated for the Wolfville pre-trials and Halifax trials.
  • Opening results featured Rachel Homan over Beth Peterson 8-6, Matt Dunstone past Ryan Kleiter 5-4, and retiring Brad Gushue defeating Calan MacIsaac 8-6.
  • Thursday updates included John Epping edging Gushue 10-9, Kevin Koe beating Brad Jacobs 6-5, and Corinne Brown improving to 2-0 to lead her pool.
  • The invitational retains a NextGen component with junior and under-27 entries, offers a $300,000 purse, and sets up teams for the Oct. 20–26 pre-trials in Wolfville.