Curling's Olympic cycle hits reset button as Canada looks to get back on top

A new Olympic cycle has begun, signaling the start of a four-year grind for Canada's elite curlers who have hopes of wearing the maple leaf at the next Winter Games in 2026.

That's really what this has all become now – every four years curlers exhaust themselves in a relentless pursuit of being able to represent the country at the Games.

And in the curling-crazed country of Canada, it feels like there's more pressure on the rock-throwers than any other Olympic cycle.

Fans have become accustomed to seeing podium performances in curling at the Games. Only Brad Gushue was able to secure a medal – bronze – at the Beijing Games.

"We're looking longer term and making sure we're ready for March and April. And four years. We don't want to wear ourselves out. We're not spring chickens," Gushue said.

"The season has gotten longer and longer. It'll take a little bit to get our mojo going."

There's always a lot at stake but this time around the rings it feels different.

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These early days of the new quadrennial are massively interesting. In the wake of last season there was an unparalleled amount of teams splitting, shaking up the granite landscape in Canada in a way we've never seen before.

Rachel Homan and Tracy Fleury have teamed up with Emma Miskew and Sarah Wilkes. Jennifer Jones is now skipping the Mackenzie Zacharias world junior champion team. Kailtyn Lawes, who was third for Jones for years, is skipping her own team now.

Brett Gallant left Gushue and company to join Brendan Bottcher, Ben Hebert and Marc Kennedy. Brad Jacobs stepped away from the four-person game for at least a year.

E.J. Harnden, who played with Jacobs, takes the spot of Gallant on