News National

OSHAWA, Ont. — No rest for the world’s best, the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling tour fires up again this week for the National.

It’s been just a little over a week since we crowned the Masters champions in Truro, N.S., with Winnipeg’s Team Mike McEwen winning their sixth career Pinty’s GSOC title and Ottawa’s Team Rachel Homan taking home the women’s title for the third time in four seasons.

The series now shifts to the General Motors Centre, home of the reigning Memorial Cup champions Oshawa Generals, from Tuesday night through to Sunday evening.

Here’s a complete rundown featuring all the info you need to know on the National.

1st End: A brief history of the National

The National is the third event on the 2015-16 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling circuit. It is also the second of four majors on tour and has been held annually since the inaugural GSOC season in 2001-02.

Glenn Howard won the first championship in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and he’s tied with Kevin Martin and Wayne Middaugh for the record for most National titles at four.

2nd End: Double the action and fun

The National was traditionally a men’s invitational but has now expanded to include a women’s division.

Now teams led by the likes of Jennifer Jones, Rachel Homan and Val Sweeting will compete for the National title for the first time.

Altogether, the Pinty’s GSOC series has doubled its women’s schedule from three events last year to six this season with the addition of the all-new Tour Challenge and Champions Cup tournaments.

3rd End: New incentive for winners

Teams competing in the National are not only playing for a major title, cash prizes and valuable points in the chase for the Rogers Grand Slam Cup, they’ll also be seeking a coveted spot in the Champions Cup.

The season finale on the Pinty’s GSOC tour — running April 26 to May 1, 2016, in Sherwood Park, Alta. — features all of the top winners from the curling season from Grand Slam champions, Brier and Scotties champions, world junior champions, etc.

Kevin Koe and Mike McEwen have already punched their tickets on the men’s side while the women’s division sees Silvana Tirinzoni and Rachel Homan on the list.

4th End: Who’s the defending champion?

Team McEwen claimed the National last season defeating reigning Olympic champions Team Brad Jacobs in their own backyard of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Not only is McEwen the defending National champ and coming off of a win at the Masters …

5th End: McEwen revving up for General Motors Centre return

McEwen won the previous Grand Slam held at the General Motors Centre, the 2010-11 Canadian Open. All three factors combined make the Winnipeg-based team the odds-on favourite to win here again.

Team McEwen’s quest kicks off Wednesday afternoon against American Team John Shuster during Draw 4 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

6th End: Return of Gushue

It was a scary situation during the Masters quarterfinals when Brad Gushue lost his balance and fell face-first onto the ice. The 2006 Olympic gold medallist and three-time Grand Slam champion was taken to a hospital while his team from St. John’s continued their match against Saskatoon’s Steve Laycock.

The crowd erupted during the seventh end though when Gushue made the comeback, all patched up and sporting a black eye. Team Gushue fell short against Team Laycock despite their skip’s remarkable effort to return.

Gushue was back on the ice earlier this week as his team is charged up for the National.

Photo Credit: Team Gushue’s Facebook page

See you in Oshawa! Looking forward to it!

— Team Gushue (@TeamGushue) November 9, 2015

7th End: Who has the edge for the women’s division?

Team Homan have been on a hot streak opening the season winning four of five tournaments. On the Pinty’s GSOC side of things, they’re fresh off of winning the Masters and hold an overall 13-1 record through two events.

They’ll be the ones to watch this week along with Edmonton’s Team Val Sweeting, who finished runner-up to Homan at the Masters. Also keep an eye on Masters semifinalists Team Kerri Einarson and Team Kristy McDonald. Both Winnipeg-based squads have emerged as contenders with Einarson making the most of her Tour Challenge Tier 2 bonus that qualified her team for the Masters field to move up to the elite level.

With several of the top teams from across the pond declining their invites to prepare for the European Curling Championships, expect some fresh rinks to shine such as Tracy Fleury of Sudbury, Ont., and Korea’s EunJung Kim. Both were semifinalists at the Tour Challenge Tier 1 but fell short of qualifying for the playoffs at the Masters and should bounce back here.

Edmonton’s Kelsey Rocque missed the Masters but after making the playoffs in her Pinty’s GSOC debut at the Tour Challenge Tier 1 and having a strong performance on tour so far this season, her team will also contend.

Finally, Saskatoon’s Stefanie Lawton makes her Pinty’s GSOC season debut and the 2012 Players’ Championship winner could also be in the mix for the weekend.

8th End: Can’t make it to Oshawa?

TV coverage of the National begins Thursday at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West, and Pacific.