Canadian Olympic gold medalist Brad Jacobs of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario has won his first two games of the 2025 World Men’s Curling Championships in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. In the first draw of the World Championship on Saturday afternoon, Canada beat Japan’s Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi 7-3. Then in the second draw on Saturday evening, Canada beat Germany 7-5.
In Canada’s win over Japan, the first three ends were blanked after Jacobs took a 2-0 lead in the fourth end. Japanese fourth player Riku Yanagisawa made an unsuccessful freeze attempt which allowed Jacobs to draw for a deuce. Then in the sixth end, the Canadians took a commanding 5-1 lead. Yamaguchi was unsuccessful with a double takeout attempt. Next up was Canadian third Marc Kennedy of St. Albert, Alberta, who made a successful hit and roll shot, and allowed Canada to lie three rocks. Japan could not recover and Canada took a commanding four point lead.
In Canada’s win over Germany, the Canadians put pressure on their opponent early as they stole a point in the first end. Then, Canada took a 5-2 lead in the sixth end when German third Benjamin Knapp was unable to remove a Canadian stone as he ran off the guard. Germany scored three points in the ninth end, but were unable to tie the game in the 10th and lost by two.
Canada is currently one of five teams at 2-0. The others are Scotland, China, Czech Republic and Switzerland.
