Homan, Brown, Skrlik, Martin win to start Scotties Tournament of Hearts

B.C.'s Corryn Brown, Alberta's Kayla Skrlik, Saskatchewan's Nancy Martin and defending champion Rachel Homan opened the Canadian women's curling championship with victories on Friday in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Homan's team started the defence of its Scotties Tournament of Hearts crown with a 13-4 win over Jane DiCarlo of Prince Edward Island.

Brown defeated Alberta's Selena Sturmay 11-4, Skrlik was an 8-4 winner over New Brunswick's Melissa Adams and Martin beat hometown favourite Krista McCarville of Northern Ontario 10-6.

The 18-team field is divided into two pools with the top three in each advancing.

That half-dozen is reduced to the four Page playoff teams for the final weekend.

The winner of the 10-day tournament will represent Canada in the world championship March 15-23 in Uijeongbu, South Korea.

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