News Elite 10

Rachel Homan in action at the 2015 Meridian Canadian Open in Yorkton, Sask. (Anil Mungal)

Rachel Homan’s team to compete in Elite 10 men’s event

Rachel Homan and her Ottawa-based rink are set to face off against nine of the best men’s teams in the world.

The Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling announced Wednesday Team Homan, the No. 1 ranked rink on tour, will participate in the Elite 10 running March 17-20 at the Q Centre at West Shore Parks & Recreation in Victoria.

Homan, third Emma Miskew, second Joanne Courtney, and lead Lisa Weagle have won three consecutive Grand Slam titles this season and will make history becoming the first women’s team to compete in a men’s GSOC event since Sportsnet acquired the series in 2012.

“We’re very excited for the opportunity to play in this unique event,” Homan said. “The Pinty’s Grand Slams have provided such a great platform for teams to develop over the years and this will just add to that. We try to always just play our game and this will be no different. Just focus on our shots no matter who we’re playing.”

“Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling is dedicated to growing the game of curling in new and exciting directions — providing challenging new formats for the players and premium competition coverage for the fans,” added Rob Corte, Vice President, Live Events and News Production, Sportsnet. “Team Homan’s unquestionable talent and competitive drive will be a welcome addition to the Elite 10’s star-powered competition field.”

The event also features men’s No. 1 ranked Mike McEwen of Winnipeg, who topped Sweden’s Niklas Edin in last year’s final to claim the inaugural Elite 10 championship. McEwen will make his first appearance at the Tim Hortons Brier prior to the Elite 10.

Joining McEwen from the Brier at the fifth event of the 2015-16 Pinty’s GSOC season will be Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., Calgary’s Kevin Koe, and Saskatoon’s Steve Laycock. Rounding out the Elite 10 field are Edin, Toronto’s John Epping, Winnipeg’s Reid Carruthers, Calgary’s Charley Thomas, and Edmonton’s Brendan Bottcher.

The Pinty’s GSOC has seen four different men’s teams win titles this season with Koe capturing the Tour Challenge, McEwen winning the Masters, Gushue taking home the National, and Epping earning the Canadian Open.

The Elite 10 features a match play format where teams attempt to take the most ends per game in order to win. While it may seem similar to a skins game, match play does not have carryovers as each end is worth the same amount. A $100,000 purse is on the line at the event.

A new incentive at this year’s Elite 10 is the winning team receives an invite to the Humpty’s Champions Cup running April 26 to May 1 in Sherwood Park, Alta. The brand new, season-ending Pinty’s GSOC event will feature all of the top winners on tour in one final showdown to close out the year.