THUNDER BAY – Brad Jacobs has had plenty of success in Thunder Bay.
Twice he’s competed for the Northern Ontario men’s curling championship in the city, and twice he and his team earned their way into the Brier.
The 2014 Olympic gold medallist intends to make it three-for-three in November, when the former Tim Hortons Brier champions compete for the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Tour Challenge, one of the more prestigious events on the sport’s calendar.
Jacobs, who was in town promoting one of his sponsors, the Northern Credit Union, said he can’t wait.
“It’s going to be fantastic,” said Jacobs, adding playing in Thunder Bay almost feels like playing in his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, a short eight-hour jaunt east down the Trans-Canada Highway.
“Thunder Bay is a rich curling community and I know that everybody in Thunder Bay – the volunteers and the fans – and it’s going to be fantastic. We just hope we can put on a great show for everybody watching at home and in the arena.”
The event is split into two tiers. The top tier features 15 each of the top men’s and women’s curling teams in the world, with several former world and Olympic champions expected to receive an invite to join the field.
The second tier will also feature plenty of curling talent, including local talent like Krista McCarville, a former runner-up at the Scotties’ Tournament of Hearts – should her team fail to crack the top 15 and earn an invite into the top tier to compete for $300,000 in prize money.
Jacobs, whose team includes Ryan Fry and brothers E.J. and Ryan Harnden, said he hopes to use the hometown advantage to his team’s benefit, knowing that many in the crowd will be solidly in Team Jacobs’ corner.
“It’s not too often we get the opportunity to play in front of those who truly love our team and love to watch us,” the 33-year-old Jacobs said. “There aren’t too many events that come to Northern Ontario. This one is quite special and we will definitely be doing everything we can to entertain and try to win the event.
“I think the more shots we make, the more exciting it is and the better it will be all around.”
The event quickly caught the attention of local curling fans.
John Cameron, its co-chair, said tickets for the final three days of the Tour Challenge’s top tier have long since sold out, with tickets for the first three days expected to hit the market on Sept. 1. The public can watch the Tier 2 side for a $10 donation to junior curling.
“People are really excited at the fact that we’re going to get the top teams in the world to Thunder Bay to play in a televised event that’s going to bring great national and international exposure to our city,” Cameron said.
Winners of the Thunder Bay event will qualify for the season-finale Humpty’s Champions Cup in Regina next April.
