Jones sets record for Scotties wins
On the day Manitoba’s Jennifer Jones became the all-time leader in wins at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, she thought of the achievement in terms of what it will mean to her two young daughters.
Jones, 46, is undoubtedly one of the greatest Canadian curlers of all time, but she’s also a mom to Isabella and Skyla and leaving an imprint on them is something the six-time Canadian women’s curling champion cherishes.
“It definitely means something to me,” Jones said after her 6-5 win over Newfoundland’s Sarah Hill Tuesday at the Markin Mcphail Arena in Calgary.
“As you approach the end of your career, just to be remembered for doing something that you love is pretty remarkable. My kids look at it. There’s a book with my name in it with some records and they’re very proud of me. I hope, if anything, this shows them that if you work hard, dreams are possible. It’s absolutely incredible.”
Jones earned the 153rd Scotties win of her illustrious career, giving her one more than fellow six-time champion Colleen Jones of Nova Scotia.
Her thoughts also went to her teammates over the years and, of course, her parents, Carol and Larry. Carol was no doubt watching on TV Tuesday, but Larry died in 2019, leaving Jennifer without her greatest curling supporter.
“My dad always loved the records, he always followed all the records, he always knew where we were at,” Jones said. “I know he would be watching from above and be very, very proud.
“I always think of my teammates because this would definitely not be possible if I didn’t curl with outstanding people and players. I’ve been so fortunate to have the best human beings as teammates that have supported me for I don’t know how many years.”
One of those teammates is third Kaitlyn Lawes, who has been with Jones for 11 years and has a Canadian title, a world championship and an Olympic gold medal to show for it.
“I’ve always looked up to Jen,” she said. “She’s a role model. And how special is it to be able to play with people you are inspired by. She makes me want to be a better teammate and a better athlete and I’m just so grateful to be with her for these 11 years. We’ve become like family, she’s like my sister and I couldn’t imagine being on this journey with anyone else.”
Jones has had a bit of a rocky go of things at the Scotties this year in the Calgary bubble.
Her team has already lost two games in pool play and narrowly escaped with a win over the rookie Hill on Tuesday in its only game of the day. Jones has not scored multiple points in an end since a win over B.C. on Sunday and heads into Wednesday with a middling 3-2 record.
But she’s still in the hunt for a spot in the championship round and that’s right where you’d expect her to be after so many years of greatness.
Hill, 25, was in awe just playing Jones for the first time. She said Jones has been her idol since she watched her play at the 2005 Scotties in St. John’s, N.L.
Jones made arguably the greatest shot in curling history that year — an in-off for four points in the 10th end — to win her first Scotties, over Jenn Hanna of Ontario.
“She’s been winning for about as long as I’ve been watching her play on TV,” Hill said. “I was about 10 years old when she won that Scotties in Newfoundland, with that famous shot.”
If Jones can get on a roll and win the Scotties this year, she’ll also break the record of six titles, which she shares with Colleen Jones.