Swiss Teams Make History at Canadian Open
Schwaller and Tirinzoni Deliver Switzerland’s First-Ever Grand Slam Sweep
December 23, 2025 – Saskatoon, SK — Switzerland made Grand Slam history this weekend as Team Yannick Schwaller and Team Silvana Tirinzoni both captured championships at the HearingLife Canadian Open, marking the first time Swiss rinks have swept both titles at a single Grand Slam event.
Men’s Final: Schwaller Claims Maiden Slam Victory
Yannick Schwaller secured his first career Grand Slam title on Sunday afternoon, defeating Scotland’s Ross Whyte 7-4 in the championship match. The Swiss skip, who entered playoffs as the second seed with a perfect 4-0 preliminary record, maintained his winning form throughout the knockout rounds.
“I’ve never thought about it that this can happen throughout the week, but all of a sudden we were there yesterday,” Schwaller said. “We said to each other, ‘Let’s make history today.’ I’m happy for the women’s team that it worked out because they had three losses this year in a Slam final and then now both teams got it done at the same time.”
Fourth Benoit Schwarz-van Berkel, competing in his second Grand Slam victory, expressed his joy at sharing the moment with his teammates. “I’m very happy for the guys,” he said. “We’ve been trying for a couple of years now, had a few breaks, but this time it worked out.”
Women’s Final: Tirinzoni Dominates for Sixth Career Slam Win
Silvana Tirinzoni capped a dominant weekend performance with a convincing 7-1 victory over Japan’s Satsuki Fujisawa in the women’s final. The win marked Tirinzoni’s sixth career Grand Slam championship and her first title of the season, following three consecutive final losses earlier this year.
The Swiss champion has now reached five straight Grand Slam finals dating back to her Players’ Championship victory last April. “I think we all have to be proud about the first half of the season. It was amazing,” Tirinzoni reflected. “I think we all need a little break, but still, we have a lot of energy from all those wins and great playing.”
European Success Continues
This marked the second consecutive week of European dominance on Canadian ice, with Tirinzoni having also captured the RBC Dominion Securities Western Showdown in Swift Current the previous weekend.
The Swiss sweep represents only the fourth time in the past five Grand Slam seasons that European teams have claimed both titles at a single event. It’s also the first time this season both championships went to European rinks.
Switzerland now sits fourth all-time in combined Grand Slam victories by country with eight wins, trailing only Canada (147), Scotland (18), and Sweden (13).
European Team Results
Men’s Playoff Performers:
- Yannick Schwaller (SUI) – Champion (4-0 preliminary, 2nd seed)
- Ross Whyte (SCO) – Runner-up (3-1 preliminary, 5th seed)
- Bruce Mouat (SCO) – Semifinalist (4-0 preliminary, 1st seed)
- Marc Muskatewitz (GER) – Quarterfinalist (2-2, 7th seed)
- Joel Retornaz (ITA) – Quarterfinalist (2-2, 8th seed)
Women’s Division:
- Silvana Tirinzoni (SUI) – Champion (3-1 preliminary, 3rd seed)
- Anna Hasselborg (SWE) – Lost tiebreaker
- Stefania Constantini (ITA), Xenia Schwaller (SUI), Rebecca Morrison (SCO) – Did not qualify
Tier 2 Championship
Norway’s Magnus Ramsfjell claimed the inaugural Tier 2 men’s title with a 9-6 victory over Switzerland’s Michael Brunner in a back-and-forth battle. After trailing 6-5 following the fifth end, Ramsfjell scored three in the sixth and sealed the win with a steal in the eighth.
This marked the first year the Canadian Open expanded to include Tier 2 competition for both divisions, with preliminary rounds held in Martinsville before championship finals moved to Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon.
Looking Ahead
The Crown Royal Players’ Championship in Steinbach, Manitoba (January 6-11) will serve as the final Grand Slam event of the season and the last major preparation opportunity before the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games begin February 11.
