The first two teams have punched their tickets to the weekend finals at the 2026 Farm & Food Care Ontario curling championships in Elmira. Skips Chelsea Principi and Jayden King emerged victorious from their respective A Event finals on Thursday, securing the initial coveted spots in the playoff round.
A Event Victories Set the Stage
In a tightly contested women's final, Chelsea Principi of the Niagara Falls Curling Club claimed her weekend berth with an 8-7 extra-end win over Katie Ford from the KW Granite Club. The dramatic conclusion saw Principi not need to throw her final stone, as Ford's draw attempt wrecked on a guard.
On the men's side, Jayden King from the Tillsonburg Curling Club secured his place with a decisive 7-4 victory over Daniel Hocevar of the Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club. Both Principi and King now await their opponents, who will be determined through the event's unique triple-knockout format.
The Path to the Provincial Titles
The competition at the Woolwich Memorial Centre will intensify on Friday, January 9, 2026, as the field narrows further. One B Event winner and two C Event winners in both the men's and women's divisions will be decided. The tournament then shifts to a Page playoff system to crown the Ontario champions by Sunday.
The stakes are exceptionally high this season. The Ontario women's champion will earn a direct berth to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Mississauga, scheduled for January 23 to February 1, 2026. The field there is already stacked with notable qualified teams, including those skipped by Kerri Einarson, Christina Black, and Kayla Skrlik.
Adding to the prestige, the current world champion team skipped by Rachel Homan will also compete at the Scotties, as they are set to represent Canada at the Winter Olympics in Italy later in the year.
Historic Brier on the Line for Men
For the men, the provincial title comes with a ticket to what is anticipated to be a historic Montana's Brier in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, running from February 27 to March 8, 2026. This national championship is expected to be the final competitive event for curling legend Brad Gushue. He will be joined by other powerhouse teams skipped by Brad Jacobs, Matt Dunstone, and Mike McEwen, promising a fiercely competitive tournament.
As the action continues in Elmira, all eyes will be on the remaining skips battling through the B and C Events for their chance to join Principi and King in the quest for provincial glory and a spot on the national stage.
