Representing Canada at the Pan Continental Curling Championships in Virginia, Minn., this week are the curling teams led by Rachel Homan and Brad Jacobs. These championships are serving as qualifiers for the 2026 men’s and women’s world championships.
From Calgary, Jacobs will kick off round-robin play on Monday at 8 p.m. ET against Xiaoming Xu and the Chinese team. In a previous encounter last April in Moose Jaw, Sask., Jacobs, along with his team comprising Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert, secured a bronze medal by defeating Xu’s team 11-2.
The Glencoe Club foursome began with a three-point lead and further extended their advantage with five points in the fourth end.
“We aimed to start strong, maintain our confidence, and secure a podium finish,” Jacobs stated previously.
In the third end, Xu managed to score his first point by drawing against four counters. The turning point came in the fourth end when China missed a crucial shot, allowing Jacobs to hit for five points.
Coming from the Ottawa Curling Club, Homan’s team will aim to defend their title as the Pan Continental women’s champions after winning last year in Lacombe, Alta.
Women’s matches in Minnesota, the first time the event is hosted outside Canada, will commence on Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET, with Homan’s team facing Japan’s Satsuki Fujisawa.
As the host country of the women’s world championship next year in March, the Canadian team is guaranteed a spot in the competition.
Homan’s team lineup includes vice Tracy Fleury
