Jennifer Jones wraps up ‘dream season’ winning 5th Players’ Championship
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Winnipeg’s Jennifer Jones finished a “dream season” by winning her record-extending fifth Players’ Championship women’s title.
Jones upended Ottawa’s Rachel Homan 5-2 during Sunday’s final at Credit Union Place and wrapped up a golden season that saw her team reach the top of the podium at the Winter Games.
The foursome of Jones, third Kaitlyn Lawes, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn McEwen maintained the momentum from Sochi to take home $23,500 plus a $12,500 bonus for finishing atop of the Grand Slam of Curling women’s standings.
“We’ve had just a dream season,” Jones said. “To end it by winning our favourite event on tour, it’s just unbelievable.”
It was a battle between two Team Canadas with Homan, third Emma Miskew, second Alison Kreviazuk and lead Lisa Weagle successfully defending the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and earning silver at the world championships this season.
Although Homan opened with the hammer, Jones struck the scoreboard first with a single steal in the opening end. After Homan settled for one in the second, Jones scored a deuce in the third to take a two-point lead. Homan blanked the fourth and the teams exchanged singles in the fifth and sixth ends. Homan blanked again in the seventh to hold the hammer coming home but missed on her final shot in the eighth.
Team Homan captured the Masters earlier this season and would have earned a $100,000 bonus if they had defeated Jones to sweep both Grand Slam women’s events.
It was also an emotional game for Kreviazuk as she played her final match with the team with plans to move to Sweden.
“We gave it our all and unfortunately it just came up a bit short,” Kreviazuk said. “But I couldn’t be happier to share it with those girls.”
Miskew, who has curled with Kreviazuk since they were in bantam, added, “It’s sad but we’re happy for her that she’s made a choice and it worked out for the best.”
Homan now adds Joanne Courtney (from Valerie Sweeting’s Edmonton rink) to her roster and Miskew said the team is excited for the future.
“It’ll be different for sure,” Miskew said. “We’ll definitely miss Alison but we are looking forward to continuing on next year.”
Team Jones already announced they plan on sticking together and gear up to defend their Olympic gold medal, but first, they’re going to enjoy this moment.
“It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet for sure,” Jones said. “We’ve been so busy since the Olympics, we’re looking forward to the summer to really sit back and soak up what we’ve achieved this season.”
