Kevin Martin edges Kevin Koe for National title
PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — Kevin Martin captured his second National Grand Slam of Curling title in three seasons clipping Edmonton rival Kevin Koe 6-5 in Sunday’s final.
While it’s Martin second victory in the event, it’s his first National championship with third John Morris, second Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert, who also earned their second consecutive Grand Slam title following their Canadian Open victory in January. The team finished with a perfect 8-0 record and collected $30,000 of the $100,000 prize purse.
The 2002 Olympic silver medallist Martin earned the BDO Curling Classic in November 2004 with Don Walchuk, Carter Rycroft and Don Bartlett, but disbanded the team after last season following the end of the Olympic cycle.
Rycroft joined Koe, fourth Blake MacDonald, and lead Nolan Thiessen with the team earning $18,000.
Martin defeated Halifax’s Scott Adams 6-2 in the quaterfinals and topped Walchuk’s team 5-3 in the semis.
Koe beat reigning Olympic gold medallist Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., 7-6 in the quarterfinals and four-time world champion Randy Ferbey of Edmonton 7-3 in the semifinals.
