Women’s worlds: Canadian skip feeling confident

Chalk up Chelsea Carey’s debut at the world women’s curling championship as a learning experience. She’s hoping her return to the event will lead to a podium appearance.

The Calgary skip, who settled for a fourth-place showing at the 2016 playdowns, will be joined by Sarah Wilkes, Dana Ferguson and Rachel Brown at the March 16-24 competition in Silkeborg, Denmark.

“I don’t know that I’m doing anything different, but I’m more prepared for what’s going to happen than I could have possibly been the first time,” Carey said Friday. “I think that’s a good thing.”

The Alberta team is coming off an extra-end victory over Ontario’s Rachel Homan in last month’s Scotties Tournament of Hearts final in Sydney, N.S. Carey stole five points over the last six ends for an 8-6 win. It was the first national title for Wilkes, Ferguson and Brown.

Joining the Canadian team as headliners at the 700-seat Silkeborg Sportscenter are Olympic champion Anna Hasselborg of Sweden, American Jamie Sinclair and Switzerland’s Alina Paetz.

“Lots of really good teams there,” Wilkes said. “We’ve played against a few of them a couple of times this year and we know that it’ll be good games. I feel confident in our ability.”

Rounding out the field are China’s Rui Wang, Denmark’s Madeleine Dupont, Finland’s Oona Kauste, Germany’s Daniela Jentsch, Japan’s Seina Nakajima, South Korea’s Minji Kim, Latvia’s Iveta Stasa-Sarsune, Russia’s Alina Kovaleva and Scotland’s Sophie Jackson.

The Canadians have added an experienced alternate for the trip. Longtime Team Jennifer Jones second Jill Officer will handle the fifth role.

Carey’s new lineup is ranked sixth in the world this season.