Canada’s Brad Jacobs claimed his second consecutive victory at the Pan Continental Curling Championship by defeating Marc Pfister of the Philippines with a score of 10-3 on Tuesday. Meanwhile, defending champion Rachel Homan suffered a setback with an 11-5 loss to Japan but bounced back with a dominant 10-2 win over New Zealand later in the day.
The Pan Continental event serves as a regional qualifier for the upcoming 2026 men’s and women’s world championships. Canada has already secured a spot in the women’s championship as the host nation in Calgary from March 14-22. The top four countries in the men’s Pan Continental tournament will join the United States as hosts for the men’s championship in Ogden City, Utah, scheduled for March 27 to April 4.
Jacobs, along with his team comprising vice Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant, and lead Ben Hebert from Calgary’s Glencoe Club, showcased a strong performance against the Philippines. Jacobs praised his teammates for their excellent play, particularly highlighting Ben’s contributions.
The Canadian team, aiming to represent their country in the Winter Olympics, sees the Pan Continental Championship as crucial preparation. Jacobs, who led Canada to Olympic gold in 2014, emphasized the team’s focus on learning and improving their communication on and off the ice.
In upcoming matches, the Canadian men will face off against South Korea and New Zealand. Homan’s team, on the other hand, faced challenges against Japan but remained resilient, learning valuable lessons about the playing conditions.
Homan, along with her teammates Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, and Sarah Wilkes, had a quick turnaround after their victory in the Co-op Tour Challenge Grand Slam women’s final in Nisku, Alberta. The teams are gearing up for further competition in the championship as they continue to strive for success on the international curling stage.
