CurlingZone: World #1-ranked Jacobs Dominant in Victory in Oakville

Sault Ste Marie's Brad Jacobs won 8-2 over Team Beuk in the Final to win the Oakville Labour Day Classic.

Jacobs, with Marc Kennedy at third, E.J. Harnden at second and Ryan Harnden at lead went 7-0 through the weekend event, held at the Oakville Curling Club in Oakville, Ontario.

"The playing conditions were unbelievable at [Oakville], kudos to Scott Foster and the ice crew," said Jacobs following the win.

"We had a great handle on conditions from the speed, target placement, judging, line calling, rocks... you name it."

After a blank in the first end, Team Jacobs piled stones under the middle guards putting Team Beuk skip Tanner Horgan in trouble from the start.

Jacobs was left with a hit for five to open the scoring, making it with no trouble.

"I thought we demonstrated exceptional patience and did a great job at staying in the present. It was clear we were all just excited to make curling shots!"

For 3-players from the team, they came into the start of the season without any reps yet. With no early ice back home in Sault Ste Marie, they were back throwing for the first time again on Thursday.

Kennedy, however, had some action in already winning a Mixed Doubles event in Alberta.

"Everyone felt comfortable and confident," continued Jacobs.

"We handled our emotions exceptionally well this week, and I was really impressed with how we bounced back after misses or the odd bad end here and there."

Jacobs begins the year as the top-ranked team on the World Curling Federation (WCF) World Team Rankings with the points chase opening on September 7th.

In the morning semifinals, Jacobs won 6-3 over Tyler Tardi of Surrey, BC, capitalizing on a steal of two in the fifth end to take control of that game.

Horgan needed an extra end after blanking the sixth, seventh and eighth ends - a runback triple that included one of his own to clear the house - to win their semifinal match 3-2 over Glenn Howard (Penetanguishene, Ont.).

In the quarterfinals, Tardi won 8-4 over Winnipeg's Mike McEwen and Howard defeated John Epping (Toronto) 8-4.

For Jacobs, it's the start of a summer training camp, spending ten days in Oakville.

"We are excited to have a few team practices this week and get back at it next weekend," added Jacobs on the prospects of sticking around in Oakville for the week.

Jacobs plays the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard, starting next Friday.

Team Jacobs RE-WATCH:

Game #7: FINAL vs. Team Beuk

#6: SEMIFINAL vs. Tyler Tardi

#5: vs. Colton Flasch

#4: vs. Karsten Sturmay

#3. vs. Glenn Howard

#2: vs. Jed Brundidge

#1: vs. Robert Desjardins

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