The Saskatchewan women’s curling title is up for grabs next week.

From Jan. 21 to 26, the Viterra Prairie Pinnacle — formerly known as the Viterra Scotties — will be held at Kindersley’s West Central Events Centre with the top nine women’s curling teams from Saskatchewan competing for the provincial title and the right to represent the province at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts from Feb. 14-23 in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Last year, Skylar Ackerman defeated Nancy Martin in the final before going on to record a 4-4 record at the Scotties.

While Martin is back for another crack this year, Ackerman has stepped away from the game while three of her four teammates are returning to defend their title.

The eight-game round robin gets underway with the opening draws on Jan. 21 at 8 a.m. The provincial final is set for Jan. 26 at 3 p.m.

Meet the teams

Team Englot (Regina Highland Curling Club)

Skip Stephanie Schmidt, third Sara Miller, second Ashley Williamson, lead Michelle Englot, alternate Patty Hersikorn

After losing in the provincial semifinal last year, Englot, who throws lead stones, is back looking for her 11th career trip the Scotties with her last coming in 2018 as a skip out of Manitoba.

Schmidt, meanwhile, played second on Chelsea Carey’s Scotties wild card rink in 2022 before previously winning a provincial title with Stefanie Lawton in 2015.

Team Thevenot (Saskatoon Nutana Curling Club)

Skip Ashley Thevenot, third Brittany Tran, second Taylor Stremick, lead Kaylin Skinner, coach Susan O’Connor

After Ackerman decided to step away from the game, Thevenot moved from third to skip and the team brought in Tran.

And the squad has continued their strong play this year as they come into the event as the top Saskatchewan-based team on the Canadian Team Ranking System standings.

Team Barker (Moose Jaw Curling Centre)

Skip Penny Barker, third Lindsay Bertsch, second Taryn Schachtel, lead Danielle Sicinski, coach Sherry Anderson

Barker is a two-time provincial champion having won it all in 2017 and again in 2022. The group, which brought in Bertsch and Schachtel this season, is third among Saskatchewan-based teams on the CTRS standings this season.

Team Holland (Saskatoon Sutherland Curling Club)

Skip Amber Holland, third Jill Shumay, second Sherri Singler, lead Trenna Derdall, alternate Deb Lozinski, coach Travis Brown

Holland has served as an alternate at the Scotties for three of the last four Saskatchewan champions but will now be looking to skip her team to nationals this year.

After winning her first provincial title as a skip in 2010, Holland won her second straight in 2011 before going on to win gold at the Scotties over defending champion Jennifer Jones. Two years later, Shumay skipped a team to the 2013 provincial title. Now they’re teaming up.

Team Selzer (Balgonie Curling Club)

Skip Mandy Selzer, third Erin Barnhart, second Megan Selzer, lead Sarah Slywka, coach Ken Bakken

Selzer, a former world junior silver medallist, qualified through the Saskatchewan tour rankings this year after earning a last-chance qualifier spot in 2024, where they finished with a 1-4 pool play record at provincials.

Team Martin (Saskatoon Nutana Curling Club)

Skip Nancy Martin, third Chaelynn Stewart, second Kadriana Lott, lead Deanna Doig

Not only was Martin the runner-up last year against Ackerman, but she also lost in the 2023 final to Robyn Silvernagle. This year, the team has brought in mixed doubles standout Kadriana Lott from Manitoba to play second.

Team Campbell Regina (Highland Curling Club)

Skip Jolene Campbell, third Rachel Erickson, second Abby Ackland, lead Dayna Demmans

Campbell has won the provincial title five times before, including once at the skip in 2016. Last year, Campbell curled out of Manitoba before coming back to Saskatchewan to take a run at the green jacket this year.

Team McCartney (Saskatoon Nutana Curling Club)

Skip Jessica McCartney, third Jenna Hope, second Meghan Frerichs, lead Michelle Johnson, alternate Amanda Kuzyk, coach Jim Wilson

McCartney, who went by Mitchell at last year’s event, finished with a 3-2 pool play record at provincials in 2024 before losing to Englot in the playoff tiebreaker.

Team Stevenson (Regina Highland Curling Club)

Skip Brooklyn Stevenson, third Larisa Murray, second Callan Hamon, lead Nicole Bender

After earning one of three last-chance qualifier spots, Stevenson and company are looking to improve on a 2-3 pool play record at last year’s provincials. Stevenson previously skipped a team with Englot a few years ago while Hamon has one provincial championship to her name having won as a second with Campbell in 2016.

tshire@postmedia.com