24 teams in 24 days — Day 10: Team Homan
We’re profiling all 24 teams, one per day, to get ready for the return of the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling leading up to the start of the Humpty’s Champions Cup.
Day 10: Team Homan
Lineup: Rachel Homan (skip), Emma Miskew (third), Sarah Wilkes (second), Joanne Courtney (lead)
Home club: Ottawa Curling Club; Ottawa
Team Homan have won a record 10 women’s titles in the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling with their most recent at the 2019 Meridian Canadian Open in North Battleford, Sask.
Although Wilkes just joined the club this season, she has won a Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling women’s title with the team already capturing the 2017 Humpty’s Champions Cup at Calgary’s WinSport Arena. Wilkes filled in for Courtney, who was away at the world mixed doubles championship that week.
Team Homan successfully defended the Humpty’s Champions Cup women’s title the following year, also at Calgary’s WinSport Arena.
Edmonton skip Walker, who is originally from Scarborough, Ont., is no stranger to Team Homan having played with the squad in the past capturing the Canadian junior title and world junior silver medal in 2010. She also subbed at second for Courtney during a few games in the 2019 Players’ Championship in Toronto. Walker and Wilkes have also played together previously and won back-to-back Canadian university championships in 2011 and 2012.
Homan earned silver for Ontario last month at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and Walker skipped Alberta to a bronze-medal finish.
The Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling returns with the Humpty’s Champions Cup, April 14-18, followed by the Princess Auto Players’ Championship, April 20-25. Both events will be played at Calgary’s WinSport Arena and closed to the general public. Watch live coverage on Sportsnet, stay tuned for the broadcast schedule.