Jones caps golden week at worlds with win over Sweden
NORTH BAY, Ont. — Canada’s Jennifer Jones won tight games, blowouts, and even pulled out some victories that could have easily been losses at the world women’s curling championship.
She found a new way to win in Sunday’s final by catching a remarkable break in an extra end.
A tough back-and-forth goldmedal game against Sweden ended in dramatic fashion at the North Bay Memorial Gardens. Anna Hasselborg missed a pick that would have forced Jones to throw for the victory, giving Canada a 7-6 win.
“I fully expected her to make a shot like that,” said Canada second Jill Officer. “I was in a little bit of disbelief that she missed it, but then a little bit of relief too.”
Jones, Officer, lead Dawn McEwen, third Kaitlyn Lawes and alternate Shannon Birchard ran the table at 14-0.
It was the second career world title in six appearances for Jones, who previously won in 2008. She won Olympic gold with her Winnipeg foursome at the 2014 Games in Sochi.
Sweden scored a deuce in the 10th end to pull even and did well to clog the centre and right side of the sheet in the extra end.
Jones tried to throw a guard on the left side, which had not seen much action. She incurred a hogline violation after coming up very light.
Hasselborg was hoping to clear out a Canada stone to sit one and really put the pressure on Jones. But the Swedish stone was a few millimetres wide and the host side could celebrate.
“It felt perfect, nice and clean,” Hasselborg said. “I really thought it was there.”
Lawes, who won mixed doubles gold in Pyeongchang, helped set up the end with a hit and roll under cover to sit two. Hasselborg used her first stone to roll on top of the Canadian rock.
After a 12-0 round-robin, Canada edged American Jamie Sinclair in the semifinal. It was an emotional week as Officer is leaving competitive curling at the end of the season.
“Unbelievable, I’m so happy,” Jones said. “I can’t say enough about my team. We had a great week. We soaked up the atmosphere in the crowd and had fun.
“I’m just so thrilled to be able to stand on top of the podium with these girls one more time.”
Hasselborg won Olympic gold last month in Pyeongchang. Jones is a whisker ahead of No. 2 Hasselborg in the world rankings.
The teams felt each other out over three blank ends at the start. Hasselborg missed a freeze attempt in the fourth and Jones drew the four-foot ring for a 2-0 lead.