Rockin’ good time

Exciting week of top-notch curling lived up to its billing

The Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling event held at the RECC produced some great competition and was a boost to the community.

It was tearful smiles and tight embraces as Team Anna Hasselborg clinched a hard-fought victory in the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling’s Canadian Beef Masters event Sunday.

The reigning Olympic gold medallists lifted the trophy after beating Team Rachel Homan 8-7 in the women’s final at Truro’s RathEastlink Community Centre, with one missed shot finally sealing the deal in a close game.

“We just had to be patient against Homan, they’re such a great team and we just wanted to keep our stones in play and we did, Then we were fortunate to have a shot for the win,” said skip Anna Hasselborg after the final game. “I’m so happy.”

The teams exchanged singles in the first two ends and Homan’s team was limited to another lone point in the third. Homan hit and rolled out with their last in the fourth end and Hasselborg capitalized with a tap for two and a 3-2 lead by halftime.

Homan, who has won the Masters women’s title a record three times, reclaimed the lead in the fifth end and victory briefly seemed within reach for her squad as they had a cluster of three in the fourfoot circle and a chance to draw for a fourth, but fell short.

Hasselborg’s side drew for two in the sixth and Team Rachel Homan scored a deuce of their own to lead 7-5 coming home – setting the stage for a nail-biting final end.

As well as the trophy, Team Hasselborg also won a $30,000 cash prize.

This is the second Grand Slam win in less than a month for Hasselborg’s team, after taking several years to earn their first.

“It almost felt as good as winning the Olympics, because winning two Grand Slams is huge for us,” said player Sara Mcmanus in a release later on Sunday. “It was huge winning the last event, so this win is amazing. We did a great job bouncing back from the tiebreakers and just going straight to the final. That was so much fun.”

Off the ice, Team Anna Hasselborg are enjoying what Truro has to offer. Hasselborg herself enjoyed a run through Victoria Park up to the Joseph Howe Waterfall.

“This is one of the favourite places we’ve ever been to in Canada,” said Hasselborg.