What Is 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials

Overview

The 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, branded as the Tim Hortons Curling Trials for sponsorship reasons, served as the official qualifier for Team Canada in curling at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the event brought together the nation’s top men’s and women’s curling teams to compete for the right to represent Canada on the world stage.

The Trials are held every four years just before the Winter Olympics, making them one of the most prestigious events in Canadian curling. Winning the Trials guarantees a team automatic selection to the Canadian Olympic team, bypassing any further selection criteria or committee decisions.

• Eight teams competed in both the men’s and women’s divisions, selected based on recent national and international performances and rankings.
• The event was held at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon from November 20 to 28, 2021, with strict health protocols due to the ongoing pandemic.
• Brad Gushue and his Newfoundland and Labrador-based rink won the men’s title after defeating Team Brad Jacobs in the final.
• Jennifer Jones claimed the women’s championship by defeating Team Kerri Einarson in a dramatic 7–5 final match.
• Both champions earned the right to represent Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where curling events began in February 2022.

How It Works

The Canadian Olympic Curling Trials use a structured format to identify the strongest teams based on performance under pressure. The competition blends round-robin play with knockout stages to ensure fairness and competitiveness.

• Format: Each division featured an 8-team round-robin, followed by semifinals and finals. The top four teams advanced after round-robin play.
• Team Selection: Teams qualified based on a combination of national rankings, past Brier and Tournament of Hearts results, and CTRS standings.
• Scoring System: Games follow standard curling rules, with 10 ends played; ties after regulation lead to extra ends until a winner is decided.
• Officials: Each game was overseen by World Curling Federation-certified referees and timekeepers to ensure international standards were met.
• Duration: The Trials spanned 9 days, with multiple games played daily, including doubleheaders during the final weekend.
• Broadcast: The event was televised nationally by TSN, with live streaming available through TSN.ca and the TSN app.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2021 Trials with previous editions held in 2017 and 2013:

This table highlights the evolution of the Trials, showing how champions like Brad Gushue and Rachel Homan have dominated multiple cycles. The 2021 event marked Jennifer Jones’ return to Olympic contention after stepping back from full-time play.

Why It Matters

The 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials had significant implications for Canadian sports, Olympic preparation, and the visibility of curling as a premier winter sport. The outcomes directly shaped Team Canada’s roster for Beijing and influenced national media coverage leading up to the Games.

• Brad Gushue’s win marked his second Olympic qualification, having previously won gold at Torino 2006 as skip.
• Jennifer Jones became the first Canadian woman to qualify for four Olympic curling teams, underscoring her legacy.
• The Trials drew over 70,000 total attendees across venues, demonstrating strong public interest despite pandemic restrictions.
• TSN reported peak viewership of 1.2 million during the women’s final, making it one of the most-watched curling events of the year.
• Winning the Trials eliminated the need for further selection debates, providing clarity and stability for Curling Canada.
• The event boosted tourism and local economy in Saskatoon, with an estimated $8.5 million economic impact.

Ultimately, the 2021 Trials reinforced Canada’s deep curling talent pool and set the stage for strong Olympic performances in Beijing, where both teams competed with national pride on the line.