Canada’s Brad Jacobs emerged victorious in the men’s Pan Continental Curling Championship, defeating John Schuster of the United States 7-3 in a thrilling final on Sunday. The Pan Continental serves as a crucial regional qualifier for the upcoming 2026 men’s and women’s world championships.
Having clinched a bronze medal at the 2025 world championship earlier this year, Jacobs and his team were aiming to secure a top-four finish to secure Canada’s spot in next year’s championship in Ogden City, Utah. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Jacobs, along with Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert, sealed the victory with a steal of two points in the 10th end against Schuster’s team.
The undefeated Canadian team from Calgary’s Glencoe Club displayed exceptional performance throughout the tournament held in Virginia, Minn., claiming Canada’s third gold medal in the last four years. Reflecting on their achievement, Jacobs expressed his pride in representing Canada and their hunger to continue their success.
Following their Pan Continental triumph, Jacobs and his team are set to compete in the Kioti Grand Slam of Curling Tahoe in California starting Nov. 4. They will then join seven other men’s teams in Halifax for the Montana’s Canadian Trials from Nov. 22-30, vying for the opportunity to represent Canada in the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
Looking ahead, Jacobs highlighted the importance of their upcoming competitions, including defending their Canadian title at the Brier in St. John’s from Feb. 27 to March 8. The team views each event as a valuable test against international competition, with Gallant emphasizing the significance of performing under pressure.
On the women’s side, Canada’s Rachel Homan faced a tough 7-6 defeat against Rui Wang of China in the gold-medal match. Despite showcasing impressive shots, China’s strategic play, including a crucial steal in the seventh end, ultimately sealed the victory for them.
Reflecting on the loss, Homan acknowledged the team’s fatigue following a series of intense competitions. Despite the challenges faced, she commended her teammates for their resilience and determination. In the women’s bronze-medal game, South Korea’s Team Eunji Gim secured an 11-8 win over Team Tabitha Peterson of the United States.
With Canada already guaranteed a spot in the 2026 women’s world championship as the host country, World Curling has announced the discontinuation of the Pan Continental event. The expansion of championship fields and the introduction of a promotion and relegation system have led to this decision, with the European championship continuing as a standalone event.