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The pre-trials finals were best-of-three affairs. McDonald and Sturmay each won their third games Sunday in Wolfville, N.S., to keep their Olympic hopes alive.

McDonald, Jacques Gauthier, Elias Huminicki and Cam Olafson out of Winnipeg's Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club were 8-5 winners over Braden Calvert's team.

“It’s unbelievable,� said McDonald. “I feel like this team really deserved that win. We worked really hard. We didn’t have quite the start of the season that we wanted, but we stayed patient and did a really good prep for this event. It finally clicked.�

Selena Sturmay, Danielle Schmiemann, Dezaray Hawes and Paige Papley from Edmonton's Saville Community Sports Centre ran away with a 9-4 victory over Kayla MacMillan's rink. 

“Feeling everything right now,� said Sturmay. "My team played amazing all week. I have to give full credit to them. They made my job really easy out there. Just wanted to say thank you to them. Really looking forward to the trials.�

Victoria's MacMillan edged Sturmay 10-9 in the second game of the women's final to force a third, after Sturmay scored an 8-5 victory in the opener Saturday.

Sturmay was up 6-1 after five ends Sunday after stealing four points. MacMillan shook hands after eight ends.

Calvert's foursome out of Winnipeg's Fort Rouge club pushed the men's final to a third game by winning the second 8-5. McDonald took the first game 10-5.

At 22, McDonald is the youngest skip to qualify for trials.

“I really wanted to win this event,� said McDonald. “It just feels like this is such a big win early in my career, and I hope that I can build off this win and continue to do some good things in this sport.�

Up 6-5 heading into Sunday's ninth end, McDonald scored two to lead by three coming home. The skip executed a double takeout through a port with his final stone of the 10th end to run Calvert out of rocks.

This report by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø was first published Oct. 26, 2025.