Curling

Northern Ontario foursome gave up four in the second and three more in the fourth and went on to a 10-7 defeat.

Seven stolen ends sets a new tournament mark, breaking a record first set in 1985 and tied in 1987.

Team Canada's Rachel Homan, Alberta's Kayla Skrlik and B.C.'s Corryn Brown all picked up wins, along with Saskatchewan's Nancy Martin, who sent the Fort William Gardens crowd home disappointed after knocking off Northern Ontario's Krista McCarville, the hometown favourite.

Four-time champion Kerri Einarson is back and in the hunt for title No. 5.

Representatives from several teams visited Thunder Bay schools on Thursday, teaching students a little bit about the sport while also challenging them to a draw to the button competition.

Fort William Gardens will host the tournament from Feb. 14 to 23.

The defending champion Rachel Homan rink of Ottawa will once again be among the favourites, but so too will Nova Scotia's Christina Black, whose team includes Thunder Bay's Karlee Everist.

Krista McCarville, Andrea Kelly, Sarah Potts, Ashley Sippala and Kendra Lily have made a combined 50 Scotties appearances, and think the 2025 event in Thunder Bay is their best chance yet to win it all.

Team Manitoba's Kaitlyn Lawes looking to build on last year's playoff appearance at the Scotties.

Consistency is the biggest concern throughout the 10-day event.