Jennifer Jones is back in North Bay for the first time since the 2018 World Women’s Curling Championship and is enjoying all the fans and city has to offer.
“It’s just a dream all over again,” Jones said shortly after her 5-4 victory over Team Muirhead Tuesday evening. “Just the people, I can’t get over the hospitality here and the fan support. How knowledgeable about curling they are, how loud they are, honestly it is one of my favourite places to play.”
High praise from one of the most decorated Canadian women curlers in history. On top of winning the gold at the 2018 World Championship, Jones has won gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, as well as gold at the 2008 World Championship. Her six wins at the National Championships ties her with Colleen Jones for the record.
Certainly quite the resume, so the unfair question was asked, what would be the highlight so far?
“That’s tough,” Jones replied before taking a moment to think over her answer. “The Olympic gold, it’s the Olympics, it is something you dream of since you were a little kid. But the World Championship here in North Bay…I will never forget. Our bones were vibrating, it was so loud in here.
“To be in an environment where you are Team Canada and the whole city is behind you, it’s pretty much all you can dream of.”
With the weeklong event just getting underway in North Bay, the team is here to perform and Jones is ready to get down to business.
“We have gotten comfortable with the ice,” Jones explained. “We have missed some shots that we would like back, but we have gotten wins and been really consistent.”
Another bonus this year is having her husband compete as well. Brent Laing is the lead for Team Epping.
So how has the Masters at the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling lived up to the 2018 World Championship, even if the event is not yet over?
“Even more,” Jones said. “All the people around town come up and say hi, and just thank us for coming back and we want to thank them for having us.”