Swift Current’s Kelly Schafer begins her quest for a Canadian women’s curling championship with Team Saskatchewan at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Kamloops, British Columbia, tonight. 

Schafer is playing third for Robyn Silvernagle’s team from the Twin Rivers Curling Club in North Battleford, who earned the right to represent Saskatchewan after winning the provincial Scotties championship three weeks ago. It’s Silvernagle’s third trip to the Scotties, but the first for Schafer who has represented Scotland and Great Britain in seven world championships and three Olympic games. 

Saskatchewan is looking for its first Scotties title since Amber Holland won it all in 2011.

Their opening game in Pool A is against Christina Black of Nova Scotia tonight, and they’ll take on Alberta’s Kayla Skrilik on Saturday, BC’s Clancy Grandy on Sunday and Laurie St-Georges of Quebec on holiday Monday.

Other games in the opening draw tonight have Kerri Einarson and her team from Gimli, Manitoba, starting their quest for a fourth-straight Canadian championship when they face Quebec, Kaitlyn Lawes and her wild card team from Winnipeg facing Alberta and BC taking on Suzanne Birt of PEI. Former Scotties champions Jennifer Jones and Rachel Homan highlight the first day of Pool B action on Saturday.

Pool play continues to Thursday with the championship round and playoffs set for next weekend. The winning team will represent Canada at next month's World Championship as well as next year's Scotties.

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