Jacobs rink closes season with slam win

CALGARY One win out of three tries wasn’t exactly an appealing average for Brad Jacobs. That’s why winning Sunday’s Champions Cup was almost a crusade for him.

“We’re out here to win championships, we’re out here to win the biggest events with the toughest competition, and that’s these events,” the native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., said. “Any time you can do that it’s a moment to be proud of yourself, and it shows that hard work we put in pays off.”

Playing in its fourth final, the Jacobs rink drew up a virtually flawless 6-2 victory over Calgary ’s Kevin Koe foursome.

In the women’s final, Rachel Homan’s Ottawa-based rink won its first grand slam event of the season by defeating Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg 5-4.

To the victors in Calgary went the spoils, to the tune of a $40,000 grand prize. This was the seventh and final event of the grand slam of curling schedule.

“It’s a great way to finish off the season,” said Homan, the 2017 world champion. “We had a great winter and we’re excited that we were able to pull off that win … even with a new player.”

Meanwhile, Canada’s Joanne Courtney and Reid Carruthers gave up an early lead to fall to Switzerland’s Martin Rios and Jenny Perret 6-5 on Saturday and settled for silver at the 2017 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Lethbridge, Alta.

The Canadians held a 5-2 lead through seven ends but a miss from Courtney on her final shot of the game opened the door for the Swiss to claim their leading sixth gold medal in the 10-year history of the event as Perret drew for four.

The Canadians also locked up a berth in the 2018 Winter Olympics, where mixed doubles curling will make its debut as a medal sport. Canada will be joined by host South Korea, Switzerland, the United States, Finland, Norway, China and Russia.