Homan to represent Canada at Olympics

Rachel Homan and her Ottawabased curling team will represent Canada at the Winter Olympics.

Homan defeated Calgary’s Chelsea Carey 6-5 in front of a boisterous home crowd in Sunday’s women’s final at the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings.

Carey was down a pair with hammer in the 10th and missed a double takeout attempt that would have forced an extra end.

The men’s final between Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen and Calgary’s Kevin Koe was scheduled for Sunday night at Canadian Tire Centre.

Homan, the second seed at 7-1, beat reigning Olympic champion Jennifer Jones a day earlier to reach the final. She picked up where she left off, putting steady pressure on Carey and taking advantage of mistakes.

Announced attendance was 7,490 to bring the overall total to 106,807. The venue has a capacity of about 17,000. Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., won the 2013 men’s Trials and went on to win gold at the Sochi Games. Jacobs did not make the playoffs this time around.

Curlers who are eliminated in team events still have a chance to qualify for Pyeongchang in mixed doubles, which is making its debut on the Olympic program.

The Canadian mixed doubles Trials are set for Jan. 2-7 in Portage la Prairie, Man. Canadian curlers who qualify in the team events cannot compete in mixed doubles at the Games.