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In a decisive match on Sunday, Brad Jacobs and his curling team claimed victory at the men’s Pan Continental Curling Championship, defeating American skip John Shuster with a score of 7-3 in Virginia, Minnesota. This championship serves as a vital regional qualifier for teams aspiring to compete in next year’s world championships.
After securing a bronze medal in the previous world championship, Jacobs’ team demonstrated remarkable skill during the tournament. They sealed their title by stealing two points in the tenth end, a strategic move that proved crucial against Shuster, who led the U.S.
team to gold at the 2018 Olympic Games.
Undefeated journey to gold
Throughout the tournament, Jacobs and his teammates — third Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant, and lead Ben Hebert from Calgary’s Glencoe Club — remained undefeated. Their decisive 8-2 victory over Australia’s Hugh Millikin on Thursday guaranteed Canada’s spot in the upcoming world championship in Ogden City, Utah.
This achievement marks Canada’s third gold medal in the Pan Continental series within four years, following Brad Gushue’s successes in and 2022.
Reflections on the championship
Jacobs expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, “We played some tough teams here, especially in the last couple of games.
It’s always great to throw the Maple Leaf on, and it makes you a little bit more hungry and motivated to go and try to wear it again.” The team’s determination and skill were evident, particularly in high-pressure matches that tested their capabilities against formidable opponents.
Future competitions on the horizon
Following this victory, Jacobs and his rink are set to compete in the Kioti Grand Slam of Curling Tahoe, beginning November 4 in California. They will also participate in the Montana’s Canadian Trials from November 22 to 30 in Halifax, where they will vie for the opportunity to represent Canada in the upcoming Olympic Games in February in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
Preparing for Olympic aspirations
Jacobs acknowledged the significance of the Pan Continental event as preparation for future challenges. He remarked, “Great crowd, great ice, and I think it was a great simulation for the next Slam and the trials.” The team is also focused on defending their title at the Brier in St. John’s from February 27 to March 8, aiming for another chance to compete at the world championships.
“Any time you’re in a final, it’s important to take advantage of those opportunities,” noted Gallant. He emphasized the unique pressure that finals bring, underscoring the importance of performing well in such circumstances. The team is confident that their experiences at the Pan Continental will serve them well throughout the season.
Women’s championship conclusion
The Pan Continental Championships also featured a women’s final, where Canada’s Rachel Homan faced Rui Wang of China for the gold medal. Unfortunately for Homan, her team fell short, losing 7-6 after a decisive point was stolen by the Chinese team in the seventh end. Homan reflected on the match, acknowledging that their performance had its ups and downs and that they would learn from this experience as they prepare for future competitions.
As Canada is already guaranteed a spot in the women’s world championship, scheduled for March 14-22 in Calgary, the focus now shifts to refining their strategies and performances in anticipation of the competitive landscape ahead.
The Pan Continental Championship was introduced four years ago to create a platform for North American and Asian teams, providing a counterpart to the long-standing European championship. However, with changes in championship structures and the introduction of a B championship for promotion and relegation, the future of the Pan Continental event is now uncertain, while the European championship will continue as a mainstay in the curling calendar.
