Curling teams led by Rachel Homan and Brad Jacobs are currently in Virginia, Minn., representing Canada at the Pan Continental Curling Championships, which are crucial for qualifying for the 2026 men’s and women’s world championships.
Brad Jacobs, hailing from Calgary, kicked off round-robin play against Xiaoming Xu and China on Monday at 8 p.m. ET. The team, including Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert, secured a bronze medal by defeating Xu’s team 11-2 in Moose Jaw, Sask., last April. In that match, Jacobs and his team started strong with a three and extended their lead with five points in the fourth end.
For Jacobs, achieving a podium finish was a priority, and the victory against China propelled them towards that goal. Xu managed to score his first point by drawing against four counters in the third end, but the match turned in Jacobs’ favor in the fourth end when China missed a crucial shot, allowing Jacobs to secure five points.
On the other hand, Rachel Homan’s squad from the Ottawa Curling Club aims to defend their title as the Pan Continental women’s champions after their victory last year in Lacombe, Alta. The women’s competition in Minnesota will commence on Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET, with Homan’s team set to face Japan’s Satsuki Fujisawa.
As the host of the women’s world championship next year in Calgary, Canada has already secured a spot in the tournament. Homan’s team, comprising Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, Sara Wilkes, and Rachelle Brown, is gearing up for the competition.
This year marks the first time Brad Jacobs’ team will represent Canada, following Brad Gushue’s previous participations. Jacobs is aiming for a top-five finish in Minnesota to secure Canada’s entry at next year’s men’s world championship in Ogden City, Utah.
Both teams view the Pan Continental Curling Championships as a valuable opportunity to prepare for upcoming competitions, with Homan emphasizing the importance of being ready for the event in October. The dedication and hard work put in by both teams reflect their commitment to representing Canada at the highest level in the sport.