Brad Jacobs Claims Thrilling 6-5 Victory in Curling Trials Final

URGENT UPDATE: In a nail-biting finish, Brad Jacobs edged out Matt Dunstone 6-5 to win the men’s final at the Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials on Saturday night in Halifax. This victory secures Jacobs and his Calgary-based team a spot representing Canada at the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics in February 2026.

The decisive moment came in the 10th end, where a tied game saw Jacobs, armed with the hammer, execute a crucial hit to score the winning single point. Earlier in the day, Rachel Homan triumphed over Christina Black from Halifax in the women’s final, adding to the excitement of the day.

Jacobs and his team, comprised of vice Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant, and lead Ben Hebert, had already started strong with a narrow 9-8 win over Dunstone in Game 1 of the best-of-three final on Friday night.

During Game 2, Jacobs opened with a single point but faced early challenges as Dunstone leveled the score with a deuce in the third end. However, Jacobs responded with key shots, including a stunning runback triple-takeout by Kennedy and a critical angle-raise that allowed Jacobs to reclaim the lead at 3-2.

As the match progressed, tension mounted. Jacobs strategically conceded a steal of one in the ninth end, retaining the hammer for the final end. His calculated plays propelled him to clinch the victory, solidifying his status as a top contender.

“Winning this trial means everything to us,” Jacobs said after the match. “We’ve worked hard, and now we get to represent Canada on the Olympic stage.”

This victory marks Jacobs’ return to Olympic competition, having previously won gold in 2014 at the Sochi Games alongside Dunstone’s current front end, Ryan Harnden and E.J. Harnden. For Dunstone, this was his first Trials final alongside vice Colton Lott, showcasing the fierce competition in Canadian curling.

Jacobs, Kennedy, and Hebert have a storied history, with Olympic gold earned in 2010 and another appearance in 2018. Gallant, also a bronze medalist in 2022, is set to compete in mixed doubles at the 2026 Games with his wife, Jocelyn Peterman.

As the curling community celebrates these achievements, eyes will turn to the upcoming Olympic Games, where Jacobs and his team will aim for gold once again. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling journey!