Einarson eyes long-sought international gold at Pan Continental Curling Championships

Kerri Einarson has been a force on the Canadian women's curling scene in recent years with four straight national titles — and counting — on her resume.

She's hoping to start matching those strong domestic results at major international competitions.

Her Manitoba-based foursome will wear Canada colours starting Sunday at the Pan Continental Curling Championships in Kelowna, B.C. The event serves as a world championship qualifier for countries outside Europe.

"When you get an opportunity to represent Canada on the world stage in Canada, it's a pretty special moment," Einarson said. "You want to take [advantage] of those opportunities when they come."

Einarson, Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard and Briane Harris will go for a record fifth straight Scotties Tournament of Hearts title in February.

She has yet to reach the top step on a World Curling Federation podium. Her first planned appearance at the world women's championship was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She lost a playoff qualifier in 2021 and took world bronze in '22 and '23. Einarson also settled for a third-place finish at the inaugural Pan Continental last fall.

"We definitely want to improve on our bronze from last year," Einarson said. "That's our goal."

Einarson, ranked second in the world behind Switzerland's Silvana Tirinzoni, will be a favourite along with Japan's Satsuki Fujisawa, South Korea's Eunji Gim and American Tabitha Peterson.

The A Division also includes New Zealand's Jessica Smith, Mexico's Adriana Camarena, Australia's Jennifer Westhagen and Cynthia Lu of Taiwan.

As host, Canada has an automatic entry at the March 16-24 world women's championship in Sydney, N.S.

Gushue, Mark Nichols, E.J. Harnden and Geoff Walker will be under more