Kaitlyn Lawes Takes Year Off After Curling Team Breaks Up

A two-time Olympic gold medallist who posts farm animal photos and calls herself a fiancé on Instagram doesn’t fit the typical elite athlete mold. Kaitlyn Lawes, the Canadian curling star, stepped away from competitive curling in March 2026 after her Winnipeg-based team broke up, trading the roar of the crowd for a quieter life on the land.

Born: December 16, 1988 ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
Olympic Gold Medals: 2 (2014, 2018) ·
World Championship Titles: 1 (2018) ·
Position: Third ·
Current Status: Taking year off (as of March 2026)

The facts behind her decision and her next chapter reveal a side of elite sport that rarely makes headlines.

Who did Kaitlyn Lawes marry?

Kaitlyn Lawes husband details

• Kaitlyn Lawes is engaged to a man she refers to as her fiancé on social media, though his name has not been publicly confirmed. Her Instagram bio lists “fiancé” as part of her identity – Instagram profile.
• The couple shares two children and lives on a farm in Manitoba, according to posts on her Twitter/X account – Twitter/X.

The implication: Lawes keeps her family life largely private, revealing only glimpses through her social media feeds.

Kaitlyn Lawes wedding

• No confirmed date or details about a wedding ceremony have been reported. The public knows only that she is engaged, as stated in her Instagram bio – Instagram.

What this means: The lack of wedding details suggests Lawes prioritises privacy over public celebrations.

Why is Kaitlyn Lawes not curling?

Kaitlyn Lawes team breakup

• On March 26, 2026, Team Lawes announced the team was going their separate ways after an “incredible four-year journey together” – The Curling News (industry publication).
• The announcement stated that Kaitlyn Lawes and lead Kristin Gordon would take the 2026-27 season off, while skip Selena Njegovan and second Jocelyn Peterman would explore options to continue their curling careers – Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster).

Kaitlyn Lawes year off plan

• Lawes and Gordon are stepping back for one season, according to reports from multiple sources – The Curling News, Sportsnet.
• The Grand Slam of Curling confirmed that Team Lawes had also parted ways with third Val Sweeting, alternate Krysten Karwacki, and coach Reid Carruthers – The Grand Slam of Curling.

The pattern: Lawes is stepping away from a top-tier competitive squad that had seen several personnel changes in recent seasons.

What nationality is Kaitlyn Lawes?

Kaitlyn Lawes Canadian identity

• Kaitlyn Lawes is Canadian, representing Canada at the Olympic and World Championship levels – The Grand Slam of Curling.
• She was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and has spent her entire curling career in the Canadian national system – Twitter/X bio.

Why this matters: Her Canadian identity is central to her career, as she has only ever competed as part of Canada’s top teams.

Timeline of key events

Seven milestone dates, one pattern: Lawes’s career has alternated between Olympic peaks and team rebuilds.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Quotes: What the insiders say

“After an incredible four-year journey together, the team has decided to go their separate ways.”

– Team Lawes statement, via The Curling News

“Kaitlyn Lawes and Kristin Gordon have decided to take the season off, while Selena Njegovan and Jocelyn Peterman are exploring their options.”

– Sportsnet report, Sportsnet

[Instagram bio: “Kaitlyn Lawes · fiancé · farmer · curling”]

– Kaitlyn Lawes’s Instagram profile

“The Winnipeg-based team has disbanded, with two players stepping away from the sport for at least a year.”

– CTV News report, CTV News (Canadian broadcast network)

For fans of Canadian curling, the choice is clear: watch for Njegovan and Peterman’s next moves, or follow Lawes’s farm life on social media – because that’s where the real story is now.

Frequently asked questions