Jennifer Jones: Sochi Olympics Next Following Continental Cup Victory
Jennifer Jones is excited about the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics, in spite of “experts” who are calling Canadian Women’s curling a thing of the past. Jones and Team North America posted their second straight Continental Cup victory on Sunday in Las Vegas.
The Continental Cup is an event designed to feature a matchup of North American curlers against the world. It plays something like the Ryder Cup in golf. Team North America squares off against Team World in four different competitions. Both sides feature six teams, three men and three women’s teams. Then it is a battle to see who can score the most points.
Since the event began in 2002, the teams had alternated winners each year. For the first time, 2014 saw Team North America when the event for the second consecutive year. As one of the three North American women’s teams, Jennifer Jones, from Winnipeg, Canada, and her crew helped lead the team to victory.
Team Canada, usually known for their prowess in the curling event, have struggled in recent years on the women’s side. Over the last five years, the Canadian Women’s team has failed to win a gold medal in World competitions. In fact, they have only reached the finals once when they placed silver.
Jennifer Jones and her team are gearing up to make some noise this Winter in Sochi. Jones and her team won the Olympic trials in her hometown of Winnipeg and then went down to Vegas and helped the North Americans take home the victory in the Continental Cup. It didn’t always look so promising for the Canadian curler.
Scotland poses an impressive threat, especially as defending world champions. But Jones is confident that her team can compete at the highest level necessary.
“We couldn’t have asked for more or for it (the week) to go any better,” said Jones. “We just feel real good with the ice and how we’re playing heading into Sochi.”
With excitement building ahead of the Sochi Olympics, Team Jennifer Jones took to Twitter to celebrate the victory.
@TeamJJonesCurl on the Strip before we cheer on #TeamNA tonight. I got ID’ed as well! #stillgotit # Vegas #ContCup pic.twitter.com/4NlflRca9O
— Dawn McEwen (@02ginger) January 20, 2014
What a blast this has been on the ice and on the bench with @TeamJJonesCurl @RockEBro @TeamJStoughton @TeamBradJacobs @TeamShuster #ContCup
— Team Homan (@TeamHoman) January 20, 2014
#contcup Champs! First ever back to back winners! Awesome week with @TeamHoman @TeamJStoughton @TeamBradJacobs @TeamShuster @RockEBro
— Team Jennifer Jones (@TeamJJonesCurl) January 20, 2014
