Jennifer Jones added another big title to her career ... and gave Canada a big boost, too! (Jamie Roach | Dreamstime.com)
Winnipeg's Jennifer Jones led Canada to a thrilling 7–6 overtime win at the world women's curling championship, or Worlds, to capture the gold medal. Her victory came over Sweden's Anna Hasselborg, who recently won the gold medal in women's curling in PyeongChang. In the end, Hasselborg unexpectedly missed a key shot, allowing Jones and her rink (team) to walk away victors. Canada finished the tournament with a sparkling 14 wins and zero losses.
The victory was given added sweetness because this will be the final season for Jones' teammate, Jill Officer. The rest of the team included Dawn McEwen, Kaitlyn Lawes, and alternate Shannon Birchard.
And as much as it meant to Officer, it also helped to redeem Canadian curling overall. The country has long dominated the sport, a unique mix of bowling and bocce on ice. But PyeongChang marked the first time ever that the Canadian men's and women's curling rinks missed getting any medals.
Jones to the rescue
Jones has won it all, and then some! (Getty Embed)
When it comes to curling, few people are as decorated as Jones. As a skipper (captain) of a curling rink, Jones has won *deep breath*...
- 12 medals (6 gold) at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts (a.k.a. Canada's national championships)
- 4 medals (2 gold) at the Worlds
- 15 Grand Slam of Curling titles
- 11 Manitoba Championships
- 1 gold at the Olympics (Sochi 2014)
In other words, she is about as good as it gets.
Recently, however, Ottawa's Rachel Homan had overshadowed Jones as Canada's top curling skip. In 2017, Homan looked absolutely unstoppable, winning the Tournament of Hearts, the Worlds in Beijing (also going undefeated), and the Canadian Olympic Trails. She looked like the best curler in the world, period.
After an incredible 2017, Rachel Homan was left without answers in PyeongChang. (Getty Embed)
But things went a bit differently in PyeongChang. Homan finished 3–5 in the Olympics, one of the few disappointments in an otherwise record-breaking Games for Canada. Though Homan will be back to fight another day, it was clear that the veteran Jones was the better choice for Canada at these Worlds.
The men are going to Vegas!
Can Brad Gushue match Jones' big time tournament in Vegas? (Getty Embed)
Now that Jones has given Canada their 17th world women's curling championship title (the most of all nations), it is up to the men to complete the nation's redemption. St. John's, Newfoundland's Brad Gushue is leading the country at the Men's Worlds in Las Vegas, starting this Saturday.
Thinking of checking it out, but not sure how curling works? Check out this video. Congrats again to Jennifer and her rink. And good luck, Brad!
