Brad Jacobs Defeats matt Dunstone in Canadian Curling Trials Opener, Advances to Final
Table of Contents
Winnipeg, Manitoba – brad Jacobs secured a victory over Matt Dunstone in the opening game of the Canadian Curling Trials on Friday night, winning 8-4.This win propels Jacobs into the final, while Dunstone will have another prospect to qualify. The event, held at the Sixteen Mile Sports Centre in Winnipeg, determines Canada’s representatives for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/curling/curling-trials-jacobs-dunstone-nov-29-2025-1.7046999
Game Recap: Jacobs Takes Control
The match was a tightly contested affair,showcasing high-level curling strategy and skill. Jacobs initially forced Dunstone to a single in the opening end of Game 2. Dunstone responded by giving up a steal in the second,but managed to tie the game with a deuce in the third.
A pivotal fourth end saw Kennedy execute a runback triple-takeout, followed by a precise angle-raise by his skip, securing a single point and a 3-2 lead. Dunstone picked off a Jacobs rock in the sixth for a single, but Jacobs retaliated with a double-takeout in the seventh and another impressive double in the eighth, forcing Dunstone to draw for one. Jacobs strategically conceded a steal of one in the ninth to retain the hammer for the final end, ultimately leading to his victory.
Veteran Experience on Display
The Canadian Curling Trials feature a field of seasoned curlers with impressive Olympic credentials. Brad Jacobs,who won Olympic gold at the 2014 Sochi Games,had Ryan Harnden and E.J. Harnden on his team, who were also part of his 2014 Olympic winning team. https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/sochi-2014/results/curling-men
Matt Dunstone was competing in his first Trials final, alongside vice Colton Lott. meanwhile, Jacobs’ opponent, Matt Dunstone, was making his Trials debut.
Other notable players include Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert, both Olympic gold medalists from the 2010 Vancouver Games with Kevin Martin, and who also competed in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games with Kevin Koe. https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/vancouver-2010/results/curling-men
Chelsea Carey and Rachel Homan have also qualified for the women’s final. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/curling/curling-trials-carey-homan-nov-29-2025-1.7047004
Looking Ahead
the Canadian Curling Trials will continue as teams battle for the remaining Olympic qualification spots. Jacobs’ victory places him in a strong position, but the competition remains fierce. Additionally, Gallant, who earned Olympic bronze at the 2022 beijing Games, will also compete in mixed doubles at the 2026 Games with Jocelyn Peterman. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/curling/gushue-bronze-beijing-olympics-1.6354499
Key Takeaways:
* brad Jacobs defeated Matt Dunstone 8-4 in the opening game of the Canadian Curling Trials.
* Jacobs advances to the final,while Dunstone has another opportunity to qualify.
* the event determines Canada’s representatives for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
* The Trials feature a wealth of Olympic experience among the competing curlers.
Worth a look