Mouat and Homan Capture GSOC Tour Challenge Titles in Nisku
Bruce Mouat and Rachel Homan reign supreme at the Grand Slam of Curling’s second event of the season, showcasing precision and dominance at the CO-OP Tour Challenge in Nisku, Alberta.
The CO-OP Tour Challenge lived up to its reputation, drawing the sport’s most accurate shot-makers — and none shone brighter than Scotland’s Bruce Mouat and Canada’s Rachel Homan, who both delivered elite performances to claim championship titles at the GSOC Tour Challenge on Sunday.
Mouat Defends His Tour Challenge Title
In the men’s final, Bruce Mouat and his world No. 1-ranked Scottish rink continued their streak of brilliance, defeating Matt Dunstone’s red-hot Winnipeg squad 5-2 at the Silent Ice Center.
“That’s one of the best shots I think we’ve made as a team in over eight years together,” Mouat said, recalling his first-end hammer shot — a perfectly executed delivery that threaded a narrow port and settled on the button, setting the tone for the match.
Mouat’s team — featuring Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, and Hammy McMillan Jr. — added two points in the fourth end and stole one in the fifth to seal the win. The victory marks Mouat’s 11th career Grand Slam title and a successful defense of last year’s Tour Challenge crown.
“Papering both guards and putting it perfectly on the tee-line — you don’t often get to make shots like that,” Mouat said. “It was the perfect way to start the game.”
Homan Breaks GSOC Record with 19th Slam Victory
On the women’s side, Rachel Homan and her Ottawa Curling Club rink made history with a dominant 8-2 victory over Switzerland’s Silvana Tirinzoni, securing their record-breaking 19th Grand Slam title — surpassing curling legend Kevin Martin for the most GSOC titles of all time.
“You couldn’t ask for anything more than breaking the record at your home slam,” said Homan, who now lives in Beaumont, Alberta, just minutes from the event venue. “It’s really surreal to do it in front of friends and family.”
Homan’s semifinal win against Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg came down to a thrilling draw-to-the-button tiebreaker, with Homan placing her rock perfectly on the pin to advance to the championship match.
The Tour Challenge final marked the third consecutive GSOC showdown between Homan and Tirinzoni — and their ninth overall in Slam finals. Homan has now won seven of those meetings, including both recent World Championship finals against the Swiss team.
Precision and Power Define Champions
Just like Mouat, Homan set the tone early in her final. In the opening end — without the hammer — she executed a near-impossible shot to score four, slipping by a guard to sit four counters. Tirinzoni’s fourth Alina Pätz couldn’t respond, rolling out on her hit attempt and leaving Homan in firm control.
Both Tour Challenge champions earned $34,500 CAD for their victories.
“These Grand Slam events are the best,” said McMillan. “For us to come over from Scotland and win 11 of them in eight years — that’s right up there with the best achievements in curling. World championships are special, but the Slams are where you make your name.”
🥌 Key Takeaways for Curling Fans
- Event: CO-OP Tour Challenge (GSOC stop #2)
- Venue: Silent Ice Center, Nisku, Alberta
- Men’s Champion: Bruce Mouat (Scotland)
- Women’s Champion: Rachel Homan (Canada)
- Prize Money: $34,500 each
- Records: Homan becomes GSOC’s all-time leader with 19 titles
Both Mouat and Homan continue to raise the bar for precision curling — proving once again why they’re among the greatest players in the modern era of the Grand Slam of Curling.
