WA Women Aim for Historic Winter Olympic Qualification

Three Western Australian athletes, Helen Williams, Karen Titheridge and Michelle Fredericks-Armstrong, and their coach Dustin Armstrong, are preparing to represent Australia at the Olympic Qualification Event (OQE) in British Columbia, Canada, beginning 5 December. They will join their Victorian teammates Sara Westman and Kristen Tsourlenes to compete in an important event on the Olympic pathway, where countries have the opportunity to secure a quota place for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in women’s curling.
The team earned their place at the OQE through a third-place finish at the Pre-Olympic Qualification Event in Aberdeen, Scotland, earlier this season.
Skip Helen Williams said the team is focused on the opportunity ahead. “Reaching this stage reflects the work our team has put in over a long period of time. It’s taken a great deal of focus and teamwork, and we’re excited for the challenge ahead. We know the field will be tough, but we feel prepared and united. The support we’ve had from WA and across Australia means a great deal to us, and we’ll be giving everything we have out on the ice.”
The athletes are self-funding their international campaign. Supporters who wish to help can do so via the Australian Sports Foundation at: https://asf.org.au/campaigns/helen-williams
Curling WA Chair David Moy said: “We are proud of the WA athletes representing Australia at the OQE. Competing at this stage of the Olympic pathway is a significant achievement and reflects their commitment and work throughout the season. We will be cheering for them from Perth. They’ve shown such grit and belief - it’s inspiring to all of us.”
Participation in the OQE does not qualify a team for the Olympic Games. Instead, countries competing at the OQE are aiming to secure a quota spot for their National Olympic Committee. After the OQE, Curling Australia will nominate athletes to the Australian Olympic Committee in accordance with AOC-approved nomination and selection criteria.
The event gets underway later this week, with strong interest from the Australian curling community as the athletes take on an important stage of the Olympic pathway. Australia’s
world number one ranked Mixed Doubles team, Tahli Gill OLY and Dean Hewitt OLY, will also be competing at the event. In Western Australia, attention is particularly focused on Helen, Karen and Michelle as they represent the state within the broader national team.