Quebec’s Team Fortin Channelling Scotties Experience to Chase U-20 Title

When young curlers dream of success, they might think of playing in the Montana’s Brier or the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Or they might dream of winning a junior national championship. 

It’s hard to imagine though, that any young athlete dreamed of doing both in a two-month span. 

But for Jolianne Fortin, skip of the Quebec #2 from the Kénogami Curling Club, that impressive feat could become a reality this week at the 2026 New Holland U-20 Canadian Championships in Sudbury, Ont. 

“Winning the women’s provincials was a great feeling,” said Fortin of her team’s appearance at the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Mississauga, Ont. “Since it wasn’t supposed to happen, we just tried to take it all as experience.”  

Just two months after facing off against the country’s best – and winning some games – Fortin, Emy Lafrance, Megan Lafrance, and Mégane Fortin are trying to ride that momentum to a possible national title at the U-20 level. 

“For sure you want to win, but all the games we played against the best teams in Canada just added to the experience,” said Fortin. “We tried to bring that here, and maybe we have a chance to win more… maybe win it all.” 

Fortin and her team from Jonquière, Que. Opened their tournament with a decisive 9-3 win over Northern Ontario #1 skipped by Claire Dubinsky (Kakabeka Falls Curling Club). 

“It was really nice getting on the ice for the first time,” said Fortin. We were really excited to get out there, I had chills.” 

Her Scotties appearance has already paid off though, thanks to the experience of playing in a packed arena. 

“The crowd was really loud, so communication was really hard,” said Fortin. “We found ways to communicate more when the crowd is loud, because it can get a bit rowdy at the U-20.” 

Already that’s been obvious in the early draws. Fans have accompanied their teams from across the country, bringing a variety of drums, horns, bells, and loud voices along with them. 

Fortin is going to try to embrace the atmosphere. 

“It’s our last U-20 as a team,” said Fortin. “We’re just trying to enjoy it, and to not put much pressure on ourselves. We’re going to play for ourselves. If we have fun and enjoy it, we can win it for sure.” 

Each team must play an eight-game round robin before playoff positions are decided. Six teams of the 18 in each gender will advance. 

Scores and schedules can be found at curling.ca/scoreboard while live streaming can be found at Curling Canada’s YouTube channel.