Fleury fends off Stern to start Masters run
NORTH BAY, Ont. — Team Tracy Fleury got on the board to begin their quest in the Masters at Memorial Gardens.
The East St. Paul, Man., team took two points in the second, stole a pair in the third and maintained control from there during a 7-5 victory over Switzerland’s Team Elena Stern during Wednesday morning’s round-robin draw.
Fleury is actually from nearby Sudbury and is counting on family, friends and fans in the stands for support.
Elsewhere, reigning Olympic gold medallists Team Anna Hasselborg from Sweden defeated Japan’s Team Satsuki Fujisawa 5-3.
In men’s play, Scotland’s Team Bruce Mouat got out to a fresh start with three sets of three-enders in an 11-6 win over Switzerland’s Team Yannick Schwaller.
Switzerland’s Team Peter de Cruz scored three in the eighth end to edge Team Scott McDonald of Kingston, Ont., 7-5.
The Masters action continues at Noon ET.
Broadcast coverage begins Thursday at Noon ET on Sportsnet with online streaming available via Sportsnet NOW (Canada) and Yare (international).
NOTES: The Masters is the first of six Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling events on the season and one of four majors in the series. … The total prize purse is $300,000 and is split evenly between the men’s and women’s divisions. Winners receive the lion’s share plus berths towards the season-ending Humpty’s Champions Cup taking place April 29 to May 3, 2020, in Olds, Alta. … Also up for grabs at the Masters are Pinty’s Cup bonus points. The leaders following the conclusion of the Players’ Championship in April will capture the Pinty’s Cup with additional prize money awarded.
