 Team Christina Black (Photo: Team Black) are headed back to the national championship following an undefeated record through the Ocean Contractors Women's Curling Championship. By: Cameron Sallaj Headed into the Nova Scotia women's provincial championship, Christina Black and her Halifax squad ranked seventeenth in the world and were looking to get back on top after losing to Heather Smith in the final in 2024. Following an undefeated round robin record, which included no game that went the full distance, the team of Black, Jill Brothers, Jenn Baxter, Karlee Everist and Marlee Powers faced one last challenge, a rematch against Halifax's Mackenzie Mitchell in Sunday mornings final. Starting with the hammer to begin the championship game, Black kept things open and blanked the opening end. They were then forced to one in the second. In the third, Team Mitchell, including third Taylour Stevens, second Marlise Carter and lead Cate Fitzgerald had an opportunity to draw for two points but were heavy, settling for just one. They then forced Black to another single in the fourth to keep the game a tight 2-1 affair. With last rock in the fifth, Mackenzie Mitchell kept her team alive with a hit facing three for a single point, tying the game at two all. Black then got a single back to go back ahead 3-2. The pivotal seventh end saw Team Black take full control of the center of the house with skip Christina drawing to sit three on her last rock. Mitchell attempted a takeout to limit the damage but wrecked on the center guard, giving Black three points and a comfortable 6-2 advantage. For the rest of the game, Team Mitchell continued to battle, taking one in the eighth and stealing one in the ninth to get within two. It wouldn't be enough, however, with Black running her opposition out of stones to capture the title. Following the retirement of lead Shelley Barker, Black, Baxter and Everist added third Jill Brothers and alternate Marlee Powers to their lineup to become a 5-player rotation. These additions proved to be a success for the team as they have captured four tour titles across the 2024-25 season, most notably the HearingLife Tour Challenge Tier 2 Slam where they went on to reach the playoffs at the KIOTI National. They also picked up the Stu Sells Brantford NISSAN Classic, the Dave Jones Stanhope Simpson Insurance Mayflower Cashspiel and the Steele Cup Cash, allowing them to rise to fourth place on the CTRS rankings ahead of Kaitlyn Lawes. With a fifth provincial women's title to her name, Christina Black will now lead her rink at the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, set to be played February 14 to 23 at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, Northern Ontario. After a fourth-place finish at her last appearance in 2023, she will be looking to take the next step and earn a podium finish with her revised 5-player lineup. |
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After emerging on the global stage at senior level last month, Katie McMillan is feeling all the more ready for the challenge as she and partner Angus Bryce prepare to represent Scotland at the ACE & Company World Mixed Doubles Championships in Geneva over the next week (April 25 - May 2).
