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 defeat against Japan with a score of 11-5 but bounced back with a strong 10-2 win against New Zealand later in the day.
The Pan Continental serves as a regional qualifier for the 2026 men’s and women’s world championships. Canada has already secured a spot in the women’s world championship as the host country in Calgary from March 14 to 22. The top four countries in the men’s Pan Continental tournament will advance to the men’s championship in Ogden City, Utah, from March 27 to April 4, joining the host United States.
Brad Jacobs and his team from Calgary’s Glencoe Club, including Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert, showcased a dominant performance against the Philippines. Jacobs expressed his satisfaction, particularly praising lead Ben Hebert for setting up the ends effectively.
Jacobs and his foursome are among the eight men’s teams competing for a chance to represent Canada in the Winter Olympics trials in Halifax in February. They view the Pan Continental as crucial preparation for this upcoming event.
The team’s focus this season has been on learning and improving communication, with support from Ottawa sport psychologist Jason Boivin. The Canadian men are set to play against South Korea’s Soo-Hyuk Kim and New Zealand’s Sean Becker on Wednesday.
In a tough match against Japan, Homan’s team struggled, ultimately losing the game. Despite the setback, Homan acknowledged the learning experience gained from the match. The team had a quick turnaround after winning the Co-op Tour Challenge Grand Slam women’s final in Nisku, Alta.
Overall, both Canadian teams are aiming to continue their success in the Pan Continental Curling Championship as they gear up for future competitions.
