Set for later this spring at the Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the 2024 World Women’s Curling Championship is set to feature the top squads in the world facing off. In last year’s edition, Switzerland was able to compile a perfect record of 12-0 in round-robin curling standings en route to the championship. Led by skip Silvana Tirinzoni, the Swiss team was dominant in 2023, leading the tournament teams in save percentage (85.3%) and outpacing most squads by a comfortable margin, including 6-3 in the championship against Norway. Meanwhile, the Norwegian team is looking for payback after finishing in second place last year. The other top teams to look out for at this event, finished solidly last year, those being Canada (7-5) and Italy (7-5). The former especially should have an advantage since this year’s competition will be on Canadian soil and home-field advantage does seem to help to a degree for the World Curling Championships.
In this article, SBS will be exploring what to look for from each of the top contending teams for this year’s championship, a predicted winner, and also more notes about curling wagering.
Favorites to Win The 2024 World Women's Curling Championship | |||
---|---|---|---|
Switzerland | +150 | +150 | +150 |
Norway | +350 | +350 | +350 |
Canada | +400 | +400 | +400 |
Italy | +400 | +400 | +400 |
The Swiss, led by Tirinzoni, are a fantastic squad and a threat to win any contest they are in. Their skip is currently the reigning women’s world champion, having won the last four championships, in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Coming into the 2024 event in second place in the World Curling Federation order of merit rankings at 334.8, Switzerland was able to demolish most of its opponents throughout the competition. With its closest contests in the round-robin portion being 7-6 wins over Scotland and Canada, the Swiss were able to score point totals of nine-plus five different times. Moreover, in the championship contest against Norway, they accrued a win of 6-3, which, while closer than their initial mark of 6-1, was still enough for the gold medal in the competition. This past championship was Switzerland’s fourth in a row and 10th all-time.
The Norwegians enter this competition looking for payback and a chance at the gold medal. The Norwegian skip is Marianne Rørvik who has made six world championship appearances (2004, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2022, 2023). Moreover, in addition to her silver medal last year, she won the silver as part of the Norwegian team back in 2004 and also the bronze medal in 2005. With a record of 8-4 in the competition last year, the Norwegians were able to stave off most of their opponents as they made a dramatic run to the championship final against Switzerland. Moreover, Norway turned in a solid effort last year, with a 82.7% save percentage, along with solid wins over the likes of Italy, Scotland, and the United States in last year’s World Championship.
Winning the bronze medal at last year’s competition and also back in 2021, the Canadians will have the home field wind at their backs at this year’s competition in Nova Scotia. Kerri Einerson is the skip for Canada and is a four-time reigning women’s national champion in curling, skipping her team to victory in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Team Canada is aiming for their 18th world championship in women’s curling, last winning the title back in 2018 when it was held in North Bay, Canada. In fact, prior to this wave of Swiss dominance, the Canadians had won five world championships in the 2000’s and also two in the 2010’s. Perhaps this is the year they break through and do it again.
The last contending squad, Italy is aiming for an even better finish this year after being tied for fourth place at the 2023 competition. They are led by skip Stefania Constantini who helped the squad win a silver medal at the 2023 European Curling Championships, along with a bronze medal at the 2017 European Curling Championships. Moreover, her best achievement has to be a gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Italy went 7-5 in round-robin play last year but could be in for bigger action in Nova Scotia.
Prediction: In what should be another excellent competition, Switzerland is still the favorite here for a reason given their consistent dominance of the sport. Canada could be a dark horse given the fact they are on home soil, but this competition is Switzerland’s to lose.
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