Team Reese-Hansen is moving on up in the Grand Slam of Curling and on home ice no less.
The Victoria-based club was one of 12 women's teams selected Friday to compete in the GSOC Invitational, the first Grand Slam of Curling event of the 2026-27 season, set to take place Oct. 13-18 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
It’ll be the first major tournament in the series for skip Taylor Reese-Hansen, third Megan McGillivray, second Kim Bonneau and lead Julianna Mackenzie after competing in the Tier 2 division of the HearingLife Canadian Open in Saskatchewan last season.
Reese-Hansen won the Tier 2 title, with the championship game taking place adjacent to the Tier 1 women's final on arena ice at Saskatoon's Merlis Belsher Place.
Now that her team has had a taste of the Grand Slams, Reese-Hansen is looking forward to the full experience in front of her family, friends and fans.
"We're beyond excited to be part of this hometown event," said Reese-Hansen, who enters the season 15th in the world rankings. "It's such a meaningful moment for our team, not only because we get to compete at home, but because it'll also be our first time playing in a Grand Slam of Curling event outside of a Tier 2. It's definitely a milestone we'll remember for a long time.
"It's hard to put into words how special it is to have your friends, family, sponsors and hometown community cheering you on. Victoria has played such a big role in our journey, and every time we've had the chance to compete here, the support and energy from the crowd has given us an extra gear.
"We're so grateful for everyone who has believed in us and backed us along the way, and with the atmosphere, hospitality and love for curling on the Island, we know it's going to be an unforgettable week for everyone."
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The Grand Slam of Curling's competition committee selected the initial 12 men's and 12 women's teams for the event.
Both divisions will also include four teams from the GSOC's Satellite Events series. Winners of the Euro Super Series, AMJ Shorty Jenkins Classic, Karuizawa International and the Prestige Hotels & Resorts Curling Classic tour events will receive invites to the GSOC Invitational to round out the 16-team fields. Should the winners have already qualified, the invitation will go to the runner-up or highest-place semifinalist.
The GSOC Invitational is the first of five Grand Slam of Curling events during the 2026-27 season. The format and match schedule will be unveiled closer to the event start date.
