Canada has one game left in the round robin of the 2026 World Women’s Curling Championships in Calgary. On Friday, Team Canada trounced Australia 11-2 to improve to a record of nine wins and two losses. A win against Japan tonight and Canada is in the semifinals. A loss and Canada will be in the qualification game on Saturday morning. Here is my Friday interview with Canadian lead Karlee Burgess.
Q: In the third end, Canada scored five points. What is it like to be part of a five-ender at the World Championships?
A: “Yeah, I thought we just made some good shots. It is always nice to score a multiple. I just thought it was overall a good end. We made a couple of doubles to get the five. Ultimately it was a couple of good shots that gave us the lead there.”
Q: How does it feel to be in the playoffs of a Women’s World Curling Championships?
A: “I’m excited. This is my first world championship and getting to play in the playoffs is awesome. Hopefully we have a good one tonight so we get a bye to the semifinal, and keep it rolling for the weekend.”
Q: You have two connections in the curling world–your boyfriend Jacques, and Jacques’s mother Cathy. Have they given you advice this week?
A: “Cathy is always behind my back, and there supporting me. Jacques is here and he has been watching all week. He has been a really good partner and a really good cheerleader for me. He has kept me calm. He has also been there for the highs and get me excited. It has been special for both.”
Q: Was there one particular shot that stood out this week over all the others?
A: “I don’t know if I could pick one. But I noticed I have had a couple of big sweeps to score three. Honestly, I thought we played really well as a unit. There isn’t really one that sticks out. The shots that do come to mind are the ones that Kerri have made where Shannon and I have had to sweep the rock to the button.”
Q: What are your goals this weekend?
A: “Yeah, I am hoping to keep it rolling here and put us in the best spot we can. Hopefully we can get to the semifinal, play hard in the final, and get gold.”