Get ready for a curling showdown like no other! The Crown Royal Players' Championship finals are here, and the stakes have never been higher. But here's where it gets controversial... Can Kerri Einarson, the hometown hero, dethrone the dominant Silvana Tirinzoni in the women's final? And in the men's division, will Ross Whyte or Kyle Waddell claim the title in an all-Scottish battle? Let’s dive into the drama and details that have everyone on the edge of their seats.
In Steinbach, Manitoba, Kerri Einarson’s journey to the finals has been nothing short of thrilling. Back in 2014, Einarson was just a fan in the stands, dreaming of what it would be like to compete in front of a home crowd. Fast forward to this week, and that dream has become a reality. The near-capacity crowd erupted as Einarson and her Gimli-based team secured their spot in the women's final, defeating Ottawa’s Team Rachel Homan 7-6 in a nail-biting, all-Canadian semifinal clash. And this is the part most people miss... Einarson’s path to victory wasn’t easy—she also secured a second extra-end win earlier in the day, stealing a point in overtime against Sweden’s Team Isabella Wranå to win 8-7 in the quarterfinals.
“I’ve definitely given the crowd something to cheer about this week,” Einarson said, reflecting on her performance. “It’s been pretty amazing, and I hope we have some more coming back here.” Her journey is a testament to perseverance and skill, but can she maintain her momentum against the formidable Silvana Tirinzoni?
Tirinzoni, a six-time Grand Slam champion, is no stranger to high-pressure situations. Her Swiss squad has reached all five Grand Slam finals this season, and she’s on the brink of making history. If Tirinzoni wins, she’ll become the first skip—male or female—to secure three consecutive titles in this prestigious event. Boldly speaking, this could be the most significant moment in her already illustrious career. Alina Pätz, who throws the last rocks for Tirinzoni, credits their success to hard work and teamwork. “We try to play our best every time we go on the ice,” Pätz said. “It’s not always working, but we just work hard, try to support each other, and so far, it’s working for us this season.”
Tirinzoni’s semifinal victory over South Korea’s Team Eun-ji Gim was a hard-fought battle. After a shaky start, the Swiss team rallied in the second half, capitalizing on Gim’s mistakes to secure a 7-4 win. “It feels amazing, especially after that game,” Pätz admitted. “We struggled a bit in the first half, but we turned it around and got away with the win.”
Here’s where the debate heats up... Einarson and Tirinzoni faced off earlier in the tournament, with Einarson emerging victorious in a 5-4 pool play thriller. Will history repeat itself, or will Tirinzoni exact her revenge? Einarson’s strategy is clear: “We’re just making sure we’re controlling the front, taking any opportunities that come our way to capitalize. We’ll focus on ourselves and do what we do best.”
On the men’s side, the finals feature an unprecedented all-Scottish showdown between Team Ross Whyte and Team Kyle Waddell. Both teams advanced with identical 5-4 semifinal wins, setting the stage for a battle of precision and strategy. For Whyte, this is his third Grand Slam final of the season, and he’s determined to finally secure that elusive title. “It’s a great feeling,” Whyte said. “We’d love to get over the line at least one time this year. We really deserve it.”
Whyte’s semifinal victory over Switzerland’s Team Yannick Schwaller was a grind, with key moments like a triple takeout and a crucial draw in the fourth end proving decisive. “Benoît and the boys gave us nothing,” Whyte admitted. “We really had to grind it out, but thankfully, we took advantage when it mattered.”
Waddell, meanwhile, secured his first Grand Slam final as a skip by defeating China’s Team Xu Xiaoming. His last-rock shot, a precise shooter that picked out Xu’s stone, sealed the deal. “They played a bit of a strange game, strategy-wise,” Waddell noted. “But it always felt like we had control. When it’s a level game going down to the last, you know you need to make all your shots.”
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you... With Scottish teams dominating the men’s division—Bruce Mouat won a record four Grand Slams last year, and Whyte and Waddell are continuing the trend—is Scotland the new powerhouse of curling? Waddell certainly thinks so. “It shows that we’re doing a lot of good things back home,” he said. “It inspires the younger guys in the program. When I was their age, I didn’t think you could be a full-time curler. Now they know it’s possible.”
The finals kick off Championship Sunday at noon ET / 11 a.m. CT for the men, followed by the women at 4:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. CT. Don’t miss the action—watch live on watch.rockchannel.com or tune in to Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ in Canada. Who will emerge victorious? Will Einarson’s hometown advantage prevail, or will Tirinzoni make history? And in the men’s final, will Whyte finally claim his title, or will Waddell steal the spotlight? Let us know your predictions in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
