Tour Roundup: Koe, Schwaller win in Swift Current
Team Kevin Koe captured the RBC Dominion Securities Western Showdown men’s title in Swift Current, Sask., with a 7-6 win over Team Brad Jacobs during Monday’s final.
Koe connected with a hit through a port with his last rock in the eighth end to score the winning point in the clash of Calgary-based clubs.
Team Koe finished the event with a 7-2 record and took the long road through the C Event to qualify for the playoffs. Koe eliminated Team John Epping of Sudbury, Ont., 6-3 in the quarterfinals and Team Brent Pierce of New Westminster, B.C., 3-2 in the semifinals earlier Monday.
Jacobs, who advanced through the B Event and ended with a 5-2 record, ousted Saskatoon’s Team Rylan Kleiter 9-3 in the quarterfinals and Winnipeg’s Team Matt Dunstone 6-5 in the semifinals.
E.J. Harnden was playing in his first event with Team Dunstone since he was officially named as the club’s new second last week. Dunstone parted ways with third B.J. Neufeld and second Colton Lott moved up to third following Harnden’s arrival. Harnden, who parted ways with Team Brad Gushue in October, subbed for Neufeld during last month’s Red Deer Curling Classic.
Dunstone eliminated Gushue, from St. John’s, N.L., during the quarterfinals with a 7-3 victory.
Meanwhile, Team Xenia Schwaller of Switzerland claimed the women’s title with an undefeated 6-0 run.
Schwaller scored two in the eighth and stole the winning point in an extra end to defeat Regina’s Team Michelle Englot 7-6 during Sunday’s final.
Yoshimura, Muskatewitz win Karuizawa International
Team Sayaka Yoshimura was victorious on home ice to win the Karuizawa International women’s title in Japan.
Yoshimura scored three points in the eighth end to come from behind and beat Sweden’s Team Anna Hasselborg 5-4 in Sunday’s final.
Switzerland’s Team Silvana Tirinzoni topped Japan’s Team Miyu Ueno 5-3 to finish in third place.
Germany’s Team Marc Muskatewitz won the men’s title with a 10-4 victory over Japan’s Team Riku Yanagisawa.
Switzerland’s Team Michael Brunner defeated Japan’s Team Shinya Abe 7-3 for third place.