Gimli celebrates hometown hero Einarson

Canadian curler Kerri Einarson was celebrated by the Gimli community with a luncheon Tuesday afternoon.

The town of Gimli, Man. celebrated one of its greatest exports with a special party Tuesday afternoon.

“We have two national treasures here – Kerri Einarson and Crown Royal,” Gimli resident Barry Krasniek told CTV News.

Curling fans gathered at Gimli’s Ford dealership to celebrate Einarson’s season to remember.

Einarson, whose rink plays out of the Gimli Curling Club, won silver at the 2026 BKT World Women’s Curling Championship earlier this month and her fifth national championship at the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts back in February.

The team—comprised of skip Einarson, second Shannon Birchard, third Val Sweeting, and lead Karlee Burgess—also finished third at the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials late last year.

On Tuesday, Einarson and Birchard signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans in the Interlake town.

“They’re darn good,” resident Jeannette Kist said.

Einarson said she appreciates the community’s support and that it meant a lot to see them show up in droves.

“They’ve had my back since day one,” Einarson told CTV News. “It’s a pretty special feeling, that’s for sure.”

Team Einarson will look a little different heading into the 2026-27 season. Two-time Olympian Jocelyn Peterman is joining the ranks after Team Einarson parted ways with Sweeting, coach Reid Carruthers and alternate Krysten Karwacki last week.

Peterman will play lead with Birchard moving to third and Burgess to second.

“We’re definitely very excited for it. You know, this team has been through a lot in the eight years together,” Einarson said. “And you know, things sometimes just need to change too. So, we’re very excited to have Jocelyn Peterman joining us next season, and I think she’s also very excited.”

Tuesday’s event, which was hosted by the Ford dealership and Lakeview Gimli Resort, also served as a fundraiser for junior curling in the community.