Canada’s Einarson thumps Australia 11-2, preps to face Japan in high-stakes game

By Canadian Press on March 20, 2026.

CALGARY — Krysten Karwacki made her women’s world curling championship debut Friday when Canada thumped Australia 11-2.

Kerri Einarson’s alternate drew into the lineup in the fifth end for lead Karlee Burgess.

Karwacki threw four stones and got a few sweeping reps in before the Aussies shook hands after six ends in Calgary’s WinSport Event Centre.

“It was so much fun. I loved it. I know we have back-to-back games but I would have loved to play even more,” said Karwacki.

“The crowd has been amazing all week and the fans are so supportive. I just embraced the moment.”

Canadian championships require teams to play a minimum of eight ends, but World Curling allows teams to concede after six.

Canada was to face Japan in the final draw of pool play Friday evening with a bye to Saturday’s semifinal at stake.

Both countries were 9-2 behind Switzerland, which finished 11-1 to top the standings and gain direct entry into a semifinal.

The third to sixth seeds square off earlier Saturday for the chance to be in the final four. The medal games are Sunday.

Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Sweden (8-4) and South Korea (7-4) had claimed five of six playoff spots. The final berth was to be decided in the evening draw.

Japan’s 8-1 afternoon win over the United States was over after seven ends. The Swiss beat Sweden 7-3 and Norway was an 8-6 winner over Scotland.

Facing Australia (1-11), Einarson wanted her Manitoba team to maintain intensity after stealing three in the first end and scoring five in the third.

“We’re still wanting to be precise and accurate and learn the ice,” the skip said.

“We played really well. We had a really great first end and had to make some nice freezes and had some really good weight control. If we can take that going forward, just need to take advantage of opportunities.”

Australia featured Scotswoman Helen Williams at skip, and Canadians Sara Westman at vice and Karen Titheridge at lead. Einarson was familiar with Manitoba’s Titheridge.

“I’ve curled against her way back in our junior days,” Einarson said.

Her longtime alternate Karwacki was Einarson’s super sub in the 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in the same building in Calgary.

Karwacki played every end of the national championship after Briane Harris was declared ineligible on the eve of the event. Harris was eventually found not at fault for a doping violation.

In the meantime, Karwacki tied with two other leads for the highest shooting percentage in Calgary with 89.

She’s been Einarson’s alternate in three world championships, but didn’t see her first game action until her fourth.

Karwacki and Einarson had talked earlier in the week about getting Karwacki into a game. The alternate was told to start stretching in the third end Friday.

“It’s great being able to have her in there,” Einarson said. “She’s such an asset for this team, a great shot maker, great sweeper.”

Einarson, vice Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard, Burgess and Karwacki out of the Gimli Curling Club seek their first world championship.