By Canadian Press

Jones opens her final Scotties Tournament of Hearts appearance with 7-5 victory

Feb 17, 2024 | 9:08 PM

CALGARY — Manitoba’s Jennifer Jones opened her 18th and final Scotties Tournament of Hearts with a 7-5 victory Saturday over Nova Scotia’s Heather Smith.

Tied 2-2, Jones scored three in the third end to take the lead for good as her Winnipeg rink representing the St. Vital and Altona curling clubs posted a 7-5 victory.

The six-time Canadian champion and Olympic gold medallist in 2014 announced earlier this week she will retire from team curling at the end of the season to spend more time with her family that includes her two daughters, ages 7 and 11. She will still play mixed doubles with her husband Brent Laing.

In other Pool B games Saturday, Manitoba’s Kate Cameron won 10-5 over New Brunswick’s Melissa Adams, British Columbia’s Clancy Grandy downed Ontario’s Danielle Inglis 9-4, and Ontario’s Rachel Homan overcame a 4-2 deficit after five ends to win 9-5 over Northwest Territories’ Kerry Galusha.

When Jones’ longtime team broke up in 2022, the now 49-year-old took over as skip of a young team comprised of players almost half her age.

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In two seasons under Jones, who is also a two-time world champion, her young teammates have relished the unique opportunity to be mentored by one of the sport’s all-time greats.

“It’s been phenomenal,” said 25-year-old third Karlee Burgess. “Being able to play here at the Scotties, and knowing Jennifer Jones is throwing your last rock, it’s a pretty sweet feeling. 

“I can’t thank her enough for helping us grow as athletes, helping us grow as people and curlers.”

It’s a lot of experience to draw upon and learn from.

“She teaches us a lot about how to make a shot and I know that probably sounds basic, but thinking about the way to miss a shot, the pro-side miss, essentially,” explained 23-year-old lead Lauren Lenentine.

“Being able to share the ice with a legend at the end of her career is something special that I’m never going to forget.”

“We’ve watched her growing up, and she’s the legend we’ve looked up to,” said second Emily Zacharais, 22. “So to get to finish off her career with her and just see how special it is to her to get to play with us and get to play for the crowds and just how much this event has meant to her over the years, it definitely makes it extra special,”

Burgess says her skip’s passion and drive resonates with her most.

“No matter the shot, she wants to throw it,” Burgess said. “She wants to have that last shot to win the game.”

That cool demeanour was on display in the eighth end. Staring at a steal of one that would have tied it 5-5, Jones delivered a perfect late breaking shot to grab a bite of the button and just edge out the opposition stone.

“Throughout my career, the first time I step on the Scotties ice, I still get that same adrenalin rush,” said Jones. “I do find myself just trying to soak up the atmosphere maybe that little bit more, but other than that, it just feels like curling and one of my favourite events.”

Last year, Jones’ rink made it all the way to the final in Kamloops, B.C., before losing to Kerri Einarson.

Winning it all this year would make for quite the Cinderella exit for Jones, whose six Hearts titles ties Colleen Jones for the most.

“Last year, we were super close and it left us wanting more, so we’re back for more,” Lenentine said with a smile.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2024.

Darren Haynes, The Canadian Press