Jones, Gushue extend Bonus Cup leads
Winnipeg’s Jennifer Jones and Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., have padded their leads in the Bonus Cup standings.
We’re at the midway point in the chase for the overall season champions with three events down and only three more to go.
Jones captured the BOOST National women’s title Sunday in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., running the table with an unblemished 7-0 record. The nine-time Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling champion defeated Casey Scheidegger of Lethbridge, Alta., 8-7 in the final.
Jones, who also captured the Masters last month, scored 12 points to run her total to 31. Tour Challenge Tier 1 winner Val Sweeting of Edmonton reached the BOOST National quarterfinals, earning five points, and moved up into second place at 18. Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg did not compete in the BOOST National as it conflicted with the European Championships and remained neutral at 16 points to fall to third place. Scheidegger and quarterfinalist Alina Paetz of Switzerland are now tied in fourth place with 15 points each.
Meanwhile, Gushue has been on a roll on the men’s side capturing the Tour Challenge Tier 1 and Masters titles with perfect records intact. Gushue couldn’t keep the streak intact at the BOOST National and fell in the quarterfinals. Still, the five points was enough to boost his hold as the Bonus Cup front-runner.
Niklas Edin of Sweden also skipped the BOOST National like compatriot Hasselborg, but maintains second place with 16 points. Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen are tied for third place with 14 points apiece.
The Bonus Cup is awarded annually to the men’s and women’s teams who have accumulated the most bonus points over the course of the season following the conclusion of the Players’ Championship.
Edin and Sweeting are the reigning Bonus Cup champions. Gushue earned the Bonus Cup in 2015-16 when he captured three Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling titles during the season while Jones clinched the Bonus Cup in 2013-14 after closing out a dream year winning the Players’ Championship.
For more information on the Bonus Cup, CLICK HERE