23 March 2025
Canada’s Homan defends LGT World Women’s title
After nine days of intense action, the LGT World Women’s Curling Championship 2025 came down to the gold medal game between defending champions Canada and previous four-time champions Switzerland.
Switzerland opened with two blank ends. Then, after giving up a steal of one in the third end, Switzerland’s fourth player Alina Paetz had an open draw for two points in the fourth end, taking a 2-1 lead. In the fifth, thanks to a raise double take-out with her first stone, Canada skip Rachel Homan was able to draw for one and level the game at 2-2.
Momentum shift
In the sixth end, with the score tied, Switzerland’s Paetz played a draw for a single point, regaining a 3-2 lead. However, in the seventh, after a mistake by Switzerland, Homan capitalized with her final draw to score two points, putting Canada ahead 4-3.
Steals secure victory for Canada
In the eighth end, Paetz had a draw with her final stone, but she came up short, handing Canada a crucial steal of two points to extend their lead to 6-3. Switzerland, now chasing the game, struggled again in the ninth end when Paetz’s raise double attempt was unsuccessful, allowing Canada to steal another point and increase their lead to 7-3.
With the game slipping away, Switzerland conceded, securing back-to-back world titles for Canada.
“Unbelievable feeling”
After the victory, Canada’s Homan expressed her excitement, “This is unbelievable. It’s the end goal at the end of the year and it seems so far away when you start the season. To get to the final against such an amazing team… They had control for most of the game, and we just had that turnaround. It’s an unbelievable feeling to be back-to-back world champions.”
A disappointed Swiss skip Silvana Tirinzoni reflected on the loss, “Against that team, you can’t make any mistakes, and we made some big mistakes, I felt. We just were not good enough to beat that team today. The steal of two was a turning point. If we make one there, we’re still in the game, but it was a tough shot.”
Frances Brodie Award
At the conclusion of the medal ceremony, Switzerland’s Alina Paetz was named the winner of the Frances Brodie Award. This award—voted on by all the players—recognises the competitor who best displays sportsmanship and the spirit of curling.
Medal winning Teams
Gold: Canada – Rachel Homan (skip), Tracy Fleury (third), Emma Miskew (second), Sarah Wilkes (lead), supported by alternate Rachel Brown and coach Viktor Kjell.
Silver: Switzerland – Alina Paetz (fourth), Silvana Tirinzoni (skip and third), Carole Howald (second), Selina Witschonke (lead), supported by alternate Stefanie Berset and coach Pierre Charette.
Bronze: China – Wang Rui (skip), Han Yu (third), Dong Ziqi (second), Jiang Jiayi (lead), supported by alternate Su Tingyu and coach Zang Jialiang.
Olympic Qualification confirmed
At the conclusion of the championship, the final Olympic Qualification Points were awarded. The eight National Olympic Committees that have now qualified for the Women’s Event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games are:
- Canada
- China
- Denmark
- *Great Britain (Scotland)
- Italy
- Korea
- Sweden
- Switzerland
A full breakdown of the Qualification Points and the qualification process can be found here.
Note: Points for Great Britain are gained by Scotland at the World Women’s Curling Championships. Italy, as the host nation for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, is guaranteed qualification. Two more places are available to complete the ten-team field from the Olympic Qualification Event 2026.
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