Olympics – Winnipeg Free Press

Rachel Homan, centre, throws a rock during Canadian Olympic curling trials action against Team Brown in Halifax, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Einarson still perfect at Canadian Olympic curling trials, Homan in striking distance

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: 1:33 PM CST

HALIFAX - Kerri Einarson remained undefeated at the 2025 Montana's Canadian Curling Trials with a 9-7 win over Selena Sturmay on Tuesday morning.

Einarson's squad from Gimli, Man., improved to 5-0 after scoring four in the ninth end to take a 9-5 lead.

Edmonton's Sturmay fell to 2-3.

Ottawa's Rachel Homan kept the heat on Einarson with a 4-1 record after a 10-3 win over Corryn Brown of Kamloops, B.C. Brown fell to 1-4.

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Decorated ski crosser Marielle Thompson bides her time in race return post-injury

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Decorated ski crosser Marielle Thompson bides her time in race return post-injury

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 2:01 PM CST

CALGARY - Marielle Thompson has Plans A, B, C and pretty well the whole alphabet for her return to ski cross.

The 2014 Olympic gold medallist and 2022 silver medallist is juggling her desire to race again, and wanting to qualify for February's Olympic Games, and ensuring her knee is race-ready to be successful.

Thompson tore her lateral collateral ligament off her right fibula during a Feb. 28 World Cup in Gudauri, Georgia.

So less than a year out from the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy, Thompson required surgery for that injury, plus a few other problems in that knee.

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Updated: Yesterday at 2:01 PM CST

Canada's Marielle Thompson, left, Hannah Schmidt, centre, and Switzerland's Talina Gantenbein ski during the women's semi-final of a World Cup ski cross event at Nakiska Ski Resort in Kananaskis, Alta., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Cortina preparing to host heads of state during the Winter Olympics. Mayor won’t say which ones

Colleen Barry And Andrew Dampf (), The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Cortina preparing to host heads of state during the Winter Olympics. Mayor won’t say which ones

Colleen Barry And Andrew Dampf (), The Associated Press 4 minute read 11:49 AM CST

ROME (AP) — The draw of the luxury mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo ringed by jagged peaks of the Dolomites is proving irresistible to heads of state, who are planning to visit the Alpine venue during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, the town’s mayor told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi quipped that so much interest had grown around Cortina that the Games are shaping up to be “Cortina Milan instead of Milan Cortina.”

Lorenzi declined to name which officials planned to spend at least some of the Feb. 6-22 Games in the town that will host curling, sliding and women’s Alpine skiing.

But he said that officials were working on plans to secure their stays — including a helipad to make arrival from other venues easier. The Milan Cortina games are spread throughout northern Italy and the traveling distance between the two host cities by road runs some five hours, if not more.

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11:49 AM CST

A couple takes a photo in front of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics countdown clock, in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Praying for the sun: What to know about the flame-lighting ceremony for the Winter Olympics

Derek Gatopoulos And Lefteris Pitarakis, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Praying for the sun: What to know about the flame-lighting ceremony for the Winter Olympics

Derek Gatopoulos And Lefteris Pitarakis, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 8:27 AM CST

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (AP) — At a temple in Ancient Olympia, a flame is drawn from the sun to begin its journey to the Winter Games. The choreographed ceremony inspired by ancient Greece is designed to link the original games to today’s global competition.

On Wednesday, the flame will be kindled once more for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. From Olympia — birthplace of the ancient games — to Milan’s San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6, the torch will cross Italy’s cities, and cultural landmarks, carried by thousands of relay runners.

Here's a look at how the ceremony unfolds, the challenges it faces, and where both the Olympic and Paralympic flames will travel in the months ahead.

It’s all about the weather

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Updated: 8:27 AM CST

Actress Mary Mina playing the role of high priestess performs during the final rehearsal ahead of the flame lighting for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, at the archaeological museum of Olympia, Greece, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Homan bounces back at Canadian curling trials, unbeaten Dunstone tops Gushue

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Homan bounces back at Canadian curling trials, unbeaten Dunstone tops Gushue

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:16 PM CST

HALIFAX - Rachel Homan rebounded from a rare setback with a 12-5 victory over Selena Sturmay in Monday's afternoon draw at the 2025 Montana's Canadian Curling Trials.

Homan improved to 3-1 in Halifax, returning to her winning ways after an extra-end loss to Kayla Skrlik on Sunday ended her 32-game winning streak against Canadian opponents.

The Ottawa-based team took control of the match against Edmonton's Sturmay with a five-point third end that gave it an 8-2 lead.

"It’s a short round robin so you have to come out strong every game, and anything in the past, nothing can be changed about that," Homan said. "You just have to move forward and come with your best game the next day."

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:16 PM CST

Brad Gushue throws a rock against Team Epping during Canadian Olympic curling trials action in Halifax, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

As clouds threaten ceremony, Greece prepares a backup flame for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Derek Gatopoulos And Thanassis Stavrakis, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

As clouds threaten ceremony, Greece prepares a backup flame for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Derek Gatopoulos And Thanassis Stavrakis, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:35 AM CST

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (AP) — Even the gods need a backup plan.

Organizers in Ancient Olympia held an emergency rehearsal Monday to light the flame for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, seizing on a brief break in Greece’s stormy weather.

With heavy cloud cover forecast for Wednesday’s official lighting ceremony, the flame produced Monday will be kept as a backup.

An actress portraying an ancient high priestess used a concave mirror to concentrate the sun’s rays onto a torch. I took seven seconds to ignite the flame – without artificial means and preserving a tradition inspired by the original Olympic Games dating back 2,800 years.

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:35 AM CST

Actor Mary Mina playing the role of high priestess, center, performs during a rehearsal ahead of the flame lighting for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, at the Ancient Olympia site, Greece, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Rachel Homan, Kerri Einarson and Kaitlyn Lawes all 2-0 at Canadian Curling Trials

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Rachel Homan, Kerri Einarson and Kaitlyn Lawes all 2-0 at Canadian Curling Trials

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

HALIFAX - Rachel Homan, Kerri Einarson and Kaitlyn Lawes all improved to 2-0 at the '25 Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials. on Sunday.

Ottawa's Homan, the two-time reigning Canadian and world women’s champion, defeated Halifax's Christina Black 8-2 over eight ends in the early draw. Einarson, of Gimli, Man., held on for a 6-5 win over Kate Cameron, of St. Adolphe, Man., who scored singles in each of the final four ends.

Einarson is a four-time Canadian champion who finished runner-up to Homan at this year’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Lawes, of Winnipeg, scored one in the 11th end for an 8-7 victory over Selena Sturmay of Edmonton. In other action, Corryn Brown of Kamloops, B.C., edged Calgary's Kayla Skrlik 7-6.

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Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

Team Homan skip Rachel Homan celebrates with her children after defeating Team Brown in the women's final at the PointsBet Invitational in Calgary, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Germany’s Laura Nolte beats American rivals again for another bobsled win at Olympics test event

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Germany’s Laura Nolte beats American rivals again for another bobsled win at Olympics test event

The Associated Press 2 minute read Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Germany’s Laura Nolte celebrated her 27th birthday by edging out her American rivals to win the two-woman bobsled test event on the new track for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Sunday.

Nolte, the reigning Olympic and world champion, and Deborah Levi finished 0.77 seconds ahead of Kaysha Love of the United States — who was paired with Azaria Hill — and 0.79 ahead of another American duo, driven by Kaillie Humphries Armbruster.

It was a second win in as many days for Nolte, who also beat Love in the monobob test event the previous day.

Humphries Armbruster, the Olympic champion in 2010 and 2014, celebrated her first podium in two-woman World Cup bobsled in almost three years. She took a break from the sport for a season and her son was born in 2024.

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Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

Laura Nolte and Deborah Levi, of Germany, celebrate when finishing their second run during the 2-woman bobsleigh World Cup and Olympic test event in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Favourites Homan, Einarson open Canadian Olympic curling trials with lopsided wins

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Favourites Homan, Einarson open Canadian Olympic curling trials with lopsided wins

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

HALIFAX - Tournament favourites Rachel Homan and Kerri Einarson opened with lopsided wins Saturday in the first draw of the 2025 Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials.

Ottawa’s Homan, the two-time reigning Canadian and world women’s champion, had a draw for three in the third end and stole four more in the fourth en route to a 16-5 win over Kate Cameron of St. Adolphe, Man.

“I felt like we were learning the ice really well in practice and we came out strong,” said Homan, whose team is rounded out by vice-skip Tracy Fleury, second Emma Miskew, lead Sarah Wilkes, alternate Rachelle Brown and coach Heather Nedohin. “We were making really precise shots and happy to get an early lead. I think they struggled a little bit with the ice, so thankfully we didn't have to make too many precise ones later in the game.”

Einarson, from Gimli, Man., opened with steals of two in the first end and four in the second in a 12-5 win over local favourite Christina Black.

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Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

Team Homan skip Rachel Homan makes a shot against Team Brown during the women's final at the PointsBet Invitational in Calgary, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Germany’s Laura Nolte edges US rival Kaysha Love to win monobob Olympics test event

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Germany’s Laura Nolte edges US rival Kaysha Love to win monobob Olympics test event

The Associated Press 2 minute read Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Germany’s Laura Nolte edged American rival Kaysha Love to win the monobob test event on the new track for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Saturday.

Nolte, the reigning Olympic and world champion in two-woman, finished 0.15 seconds ahead of Love, the world champion in monobob, an event which features only one competitor per sled.

On a big day for bobsled's super power, Germany also won a two-man race and swept the podium with Johannes Lochner, Francesco Friedrich (+0.34) and Adam Ammour (+0.60) finishing 1-2-3.

It was Lochner's 50th World Cup podium in two-man.

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Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

Laura Nolte of Germany speeds down the course during a women's monobob World Cup race and Olympic test event in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

LA Olympics will keep ‘Intuit’ on Clippers arena as part of groundbreaking venue-naming deal

Eddie Pells, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

LA Olympics will keep ‘Intuit’ on Clippers arena as part of groundbreaking venue-naming deal

Eddie Pells, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

The Intuit Dome will be called just that for the Los Angeles Olympics, after organizers struck a deal with the makers of tax and business software as part of a groundbreaking arrangement to sell naming rights for venues at the upcoming Summer Games.

Intuit also announced Friday that it is the latest “founding partner” for Los Angeles, which also signed Starbucks and Honda to agreements in a recent burst of momentum.

Honda is keeping its name on the arena in Anaheim — the host of volleyball — while the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, the regular home of the LA Clippers, will stage basketball games.

Though corporate naming rights are nothing new for arenas and stadiums across the United States, this will be the first time the Olympics will allow that sort of marketing. It's considered a groundbreaking arrangement that will net the Olympics multiple millions above its projected $7.15 billion budget.

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Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

FILE - An aerial view shows the Intuit Dome, the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif.(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, file)

A look at the 16 teams set to compete at the Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

A look at the 16 teams set to compete at the Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

The Montana's Canadian Curling Trials begin Saturday and run through Nov. 30 at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.

The winning teams will represent Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Here’s a look at the eight women's and eight men's teams in the field (teams in alphabetical order with athletes from skip to lead, followed by home club location):

WOMEN

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Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Canada skip Brad Gushue slows a rock during a practice session at the world curling championship on March 31, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Gushue aims for Trials win to set up potential storybook Olympic capper to career

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Gushue aims for Trials win to set up potential storybook Olympic capper to career

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Brad Gushue reached the pinnacle of his sport almost 20 years ago when he stood on the top step of the Olympic podium at the Turin Games.

The last hurdle in his quest to return to Italy for the Winter Olympics starts Saturday in Halifax.

Gushue will skip one of eight men's team entries at the Montana's Canadian Curling Trials. An eight-team women's field will also play down at Scotiabank Centre for the right to represent Canada at the Milan Cortina Games.

The nine-day playdowns will be held at the same venue where Gushue stunned the field to win the 2005 Trials before taking Olympic gold in 2006.

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Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear, left, and Saskatoon Tribal Council Tribal Chief Mark Arcand, right, pose with members of Team Gushue and Team Jones at the podium after receiving star blankets during the 2021 Canadian Olympic curling trials in Saskatoon on Nov. 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rick Elvin

First skeleton test race on controversial new Olympic sliding track won by Weston

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

First skeleton test race on controversial new Olympic sliding track won by Weston

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — The first official test race on the controversial sliding track being rebuilt for the Milan Cortina Olympics was won by skeleton world champion Matt Weston of Britain on Friday.

Weston beat European champion Samuel Maier of Austria by 0.15 seconds after two runs in the head-first discipline down the Eugenio Monti track.

It was also the opening skeleton World Cup of the Olympic season.

Yin Zheng of China finished third, 0.18 behind, after setting the first track record at 56.79 seconds in his opening run.

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Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

South Korea's Jung Seunggi takes the start at a training session ahead of a three day skeleton and bobsled World Cup stage and Olympic test event in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Milan Cortina Olympic mountains are wintry white after 1st big snowstorm of the season

Andrew Dampf, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Milan Cortina Olympic mountains are wintry white after 1st big snowstorm of the season

Andrew Dampf, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — The mountains that will host the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics have been hit with their first significant snowstorm of the season.

On the upper sections of the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina where women’s Alpine skiing will be contested for the Feb. 6-22 Games, up to 20 centimeters (nearly eight inches) of snow had fallen by Friday morning.

There was still some long grass popping out of the snow in places but the piste — and surrounding areas — are now wintry white.

“We have on top 20 centimeters of really fresh snow, light snow, and (at the finish) we have 15 (six inches),” said Matteo Gobbo, the local organizing committee’s venue sport manager for women’s skiing. “This should be a good base to improve the snow-making with the artificial snow.

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Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

A view of the Olympia delle Tofane course where the women's Alpine skiing will be contested at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Federal budget offers glimmer of hope for Calgary’s beleaguered Olympic Oval

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Federal budget offers glimmer of hope for Calgary’s beleaguered Olympic Oval

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

CALGARY - The fastest ice in the world that's on borrowed time may have a lifeline.

Calgary's Olympic Oval, a legacy of the 1988 Winter Games in the city, will soon lose its ability to make ice because of brine leaks among 400 pipe connections under its 38-year-old floor.

The Oval has been a hub of international, university and community sport since it was completed in 1987 for $40 million.

A speedskating World Cup from Friday to Sunday will be the second at the Oval in 2025, and again draw the world's best in the sport.

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Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

November 25, 2025

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