Canada ‘making big shots when we have to’
NORTH BAY, ONT. • An impressive round- robin record doesn’t necessarily mean Canada’s Jennifer Jones is a lock to win a world championship for the first time in a decade.
The Winnipeg team will need to clean up a few areas for a clear path to the podium.
Jones ( 12- 0) has had inconsistent draw weight throughout the competition at the North Bay Memorial Gardens. It was a factor again Friday morning in an 8- 5 win over Japan’s Tori Koana.
Jones shot 79 per cent — the lowest percentage on her team — and it kept Japan in the game. She was just 73 per cent on her draws.
Canada’s overall performance was solid but far from spectacular. It has been a consistent theme through the week.
“We’re making big shots when we have to,” Jones said. “That’s really what winning is all about.”
Jones has stepped up when needed and is the No. 1 seed in the six- team playoff. She will have choice of hammer or stone selection in semifinal play Saturday night.
Canada closed out roundrobin play Friday night with an 8- 5 win over American Jamie Sinclair in a playoff tune-up.
Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg ( 10- 2) locked up the other semifinal berth. South Korea’s EunJung Kim ( 8- 3), Russia’s Victoria Moiseeva ( 7- 5), the United States ( 66) and Czech Republic ( 6- 6) have also qualified for the playoffs.
On Saturday morning, the third- seeded team ( Korea) will play the No. 6 seed (U.S.) and No. 4 (Russia) will meet No. 5 ( Czech). Canada will play the lower-seeded victor in one semifinal while Sweden will play the other winner.
Jones started strong last weekend by knocking off some t ournament l i ghtweights with relative ease. She later withstood challenges from South Korea, Sweden and Russia — in successive draws — despite some nervous moments.
Second Jill Officer skipped Friday morning’s game to rest after coming out early the day before. She was replaced by alternate Shannon Birchard before returning for the night game.
Jones is making her sixth career world women’s curling championship appearance. Her lone victory came in 2008 in Vernon, B.C.