THUNDER BAY -- It’s been all systems go thus far for Nancy Martin and Team Saskatchewan at the Scotties Tournament of Heart women's national curling championship.
Martin and her Saskatoon Nutana foursome of third Chaelynn Stewart, second Kadriana Lott and lead Deanna Doig improved to 2-0 at the tournament in Thunder Bay, taking an 8-6 win over Prince Edward Island’s Jane DiCarlo, fourth Veronica Mayne, second Sabrina Smith and lead Whitney Jenkins in the fourth draw Saturday night.
As was the case in their opening game against Krista McCarville on Friday, Martin got off to a great start. After the teams exchanged deuces in the first two ends, Martin picked up a pair in the third, held DiCarlo to one in the fourth and added another two in the fifth for a 6-3 lead.
The rest of the game saw the rinks exchange single points, leading to Martin’s two-point win.
Saskatchewan’s front end had a solid game, with Doig curling 90 per cent and Lott right behind her at 89 per cent, with Stewart curling 80 per cent and Martin 69 per cent.
Other results in the evening draw Saturday saw Alberta’s Selena Sturmay defeat Nunavet’s Julia Weagle 11-4, Alberta’s Kayla Skrlik down B.C.’s Corryn Brown 9-8 and Canada’s Rachel Homan defeat McCarville 10-7.
Action from the morning draw saw Quebec’s Laurie St. Georges take an 8-2 win over Manitoba’s Kaitlyn Lawes, Manitoba’s Kate Cameron defeat Northwest Territories Kerry Galusha 8-4, Manitoba’s Kerri Einarson down Newfoundland’s Brooke Godsland 6-4 and Nova Scotia’s Christina Black defeat Ontario’s Danielle Inglis 7-5.
The remainder of Martin’s round robin schedule is as follows:
Sunday, Feb. 16
1 p.m. -- Corryn Brown (B.C.)
Monday, Feb. 17
8 a.m. -- Melissa Adams (New Brunswick)
6 p.m. -- Rachel Homan (Canada)
Tuesday, Feb. 18
1 p.m. -- Kayla Skrlik (Alberta)
Wednesday, Feb.19
8 a.m. -- Julia Weagle (Nunavut)
6 p.m. -- Selena Sturmay (Alberta)
Thursday, Feb. 20
Off
Martin is tied for first place with Homan and Skrlik, with the top three teams advancing to the playoff round at the conclusion of the preliminary round on Thursday.
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts winner will advance to the the World Women’s Curling Championship in Uijeongbu, South Korea, from March 15-23.
Be sure to keep an eye on www.curling.ca for up to date scores throughout the tournament.
