Epping falls short of second Grand Slam title
Loses to Brendan Bottcher in final in North Battleford
Peterborough’s John Epping fell just short of earning his second Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling title of the season.
Epping fell 6-3 to Edmonton’s Brendan Bottcher on Sunday in the final of the Meridian Canadian Open in North Battleford, Sask.
After a must-win over Reid Carruthers on Friday to get into the playoffs, Epping defeated Kevin Koe in the quarter-finals and Sweden’s Niklas Edin in the semifinals to advance to the final.
Bottcher claimed his first career Grand Slam title to win the $30,000 purse and qualify Humpty’s Champions Cup in April. Epping won the Canadian Beef Masters earlier this season.
“It’s awesome,” Bottcher said. “We played great all week and this is what we needed to set us up for the rest of the year. We’re curling consistently well and I think that’s the big difference this year. I’ve always known our peak game could compete, but it feels like this year we’re just competing on the average day and that’s a good feeling.”
On the women’s side, Ottawa’s Rachel Homan made history Sunday after clinching its recordbreaking 10th Grand Slam women’s title. It was her third consecutive title this season following a 4-3 win over Switzerland’s Team Tirinzoni.
The Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling season continues April 9 to 14 when the Players’ Championship rolls into Toronto.