Homan kicks off PointsBet Invitational title defence with lopsided win

Ottawa's Rachel Homan opened the defence of her women's curling title at the PointsBet Invitational with an 11-2 win over Gabby Wood on Wednesday in Calgary.

The single-knockout event pitted Canadian and world champion Homan against the Canadian college women's champion in the opening draw.

The men's and women's PointsBet victors will each take home $50,000 in prize money.

In other games, Kaitlyn Lawes defeated Taylor Reese-Hansen 5-2, Selena Sturmay edged Ashley Thevenot 8-7 and Corryn Brown doubled Serena Gray-Withers 8-4.

The first men's draw features reigning Canadian men's champion Brad Gushue against national club champion Dan Sherrard and four-time national champion Kevin Koe taking on men's university champ Josh Bryden.

The men's and women's finals are Sunday.