Jones remains perfect with big shots for wins
SOCHI, Russia
So much for this supposedly being the most open women’s Olympic curling tournament yet.
Canada’s Jennifer Jones is turning it into a procession.
The Winnipeg skip was in solid form Thursday as Canada beat both Denmark and Switzerland by identical 8-5 scores to remain undefeated after five games and move to the brink of the semifinals.
“I don’t know if we are making it look easy,” Jones said, “but we are coming out, playing well and making the big shots when we have to.”
On the men’s side, Brad Jacobs’s rink improved to 3-2 following a 7-6 victory over Denmark (2-3). Danish skip Rasmus Stjerne Hansen scored two in the ninth to tie the game before Canada scored in the final end to seal the much-needed victory.
The women’s rink has beaten all of its biggest rivals — Sweden, Britain and the Swiss — in the opening four days as Canada goes for its first Olympic gold medal in the women’s event since 1998, when the late Sandra Schmirler won in Nagano.
In Jones, Canada has probably the best women’s curler in Sochi, and she broke open a close game against Denmark by scoring three in the ninth to give her team an 8-5 cushion.
She made the difference in the ninth against the Swiss as well, playing a draw that just slid by an opposition stone to settle in the four-foot for three.
“There’s a reason why I’ve been playing with her for more than 20 years,” second Jill Officer said. “It’s great she’s on top of her game.”