Winnipeg curling legend Jennifer Jones to join forces with Zacharias squad - Winnipeg Free Press | Canada News Media
Connect with us

Sports

Winnipeg curling legend Jennifer Jones to join forces with Zacharias squad – Winnipeg Free Press

Published

3 years ago

 on









When Jennifer Jones announced her iconic team was splitting ways after this season, it was the end of a long chapter in her curling career.

But she was not closing the book.

On Thursday, one of the sport’s all-time greats revealed her plans. Jones has agreed to guide the young, talented Mackenzie Zacharias crew for the foreseeable future, beginning this fall.

Even after a record-tying six Canadian championships, two world titles and a couple of Olympics — one of them gold — her decision is simple: at 47, she still wants to play more.


<img src="https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/NEP254229_web_CUR-Scotties-20220202-mZ.jpg" alt="

Manitoba skip Mackenzie Zacharias releases a rock as they play Quebec at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts at Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, Ont. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (Andrew Vaughan / The Canadian Press files)

“>

Manitoba skip Mackenzie Zacharias releases a rock as they play Quebec at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts at Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, Ont. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (Andrew Vaughan / The Canadian Press files)

“I’ve got that spark inside,” she told the Free Press, by phone from her home near Barrie, Ont.

Zacharias and her sister, second Emily Zacharias, hail from Altona, third Karlee Burgess from Nova Scotia, and lead Lauren Lenentine from Prince Edward Island.

When they got a call with an offer that would put them under the wing of one of the greatest to play the game, the young foursome leaped to sign on to the new Team Jennifer Jones.

“It’s definitely a pinch-me moment,” Zacharias said.


<img src="https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/NEP254229_web_Beijing-Olympics-Curling.jpg" alt="

Canada’s Jennifer Jones, competes, during the women’s curling match against Denmark, at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Beijing. (Nariman El-Mofty / The Associated Press files)

“>

Canada’s Jennifer Jones, competes, during the women’s curling match against Denmark, at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, in Beijing. (Nariman El-Mofty / The Associated Press files)

“I’m overjoyed that Jennifer Jones would even think about playing with us, or that she even knew who I was. To realize that she had recognized some of the talent in our team, and saw that we were trying to get to the top of women’s curling… she’s going to be able to take us from where we are now, to above and beyond.”

“I’m overjoyed that Jennifer Jones would even think about playing with us, or that she even knew who I was.” –Mackenzie Zacharias

The plan will see Jones simply take the reins of the existing Team Zacharias to make a five-person squad, similar to the one Jones ran for the last two seasons. Lenentine and Emily Zacharias will alternate at lead, though there will be flexibility: for instance, Jones said, there may be events where Zacharias calls the shots, and Jones steps back to watch.

As it stands, the idea is to commit for a full quadrennial, although they will re-evaluate every season.

“I’m so excited,” Jones said. “Our goal is to win, to win the Scotties. They’ve had so much success on their own, but they want to learn, they want to be better, they want to soak it all up and figure out how to be successful, and they feel like I can do that for them.”


<img src="https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/NEP254229_web_211220-CURL-Zacharias1.jpg" alt="

Mackenzie Zacharias gives her sweepers instructions during a shot in the second end of the Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts final Sunday at the Carberry Plains Recreation Centre. (Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun files)

“>

Mackenzie Zacharias gives her sweepers instructions during a shot in the second end of the Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts final Sunday at the Carberry Plains Recreation Centre. (Lucas Punkari/The Brandon Sun files)

At just 22 and only two years removed from her world junior championship gold, Zacharias had already won her first provincial women’s title, and led her team to be ranked 13th in the world this season.

Still, they were hungry for more. Zacharias’s team had agreed to put careers on the back burner, to give curling a go. They even all live together, having moved from home to focus on curling.

On paper, it makes for a great story: a curling legend in the sunset years of a storied career, leading a team of blazing young guns. There is also the fact that it allows Jones to keep playing out of Manitoba, which was important both for her own love of the province, and in honour of her late father, Larry Jones, who championed the sport here.

There’s also this: in speaking with Zacharias, her thoughts drift back to that time, 12 years ago, when she invited a talented young player named Kaitlyn Lawes to come join her team. Back then, Lawes was just one year out of her own head-turning junior skipping career, and, well, every curling fan knows how that chemistry turned out.

“I just remember the excitement, the energy she brought, the love of the game,” Jones said. “I feel like we connected. And when I talk to these girls, as much as they are young, they’re mature beyond their years in the sense that they’ve had a goal for their entire life, and they’ve figured out how to achieve it. So, they’re very determined, very focus-driven.


<img src="https://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/NEP254229_web_Oly-Curling-20220214-jones-on-ice.jpg" alt="

Canadian skip Jennifer Jones keeps an eye on a shot as they face the team from the Russian Olympic Committee at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Monday, February 14, 2022. (Paul Chiasson / The Canadian Press files)

“>

Canadian skip Jennifer Jones keeps an eye on a shot as they face the team from the Russian Olympic Committee at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Monday, February 14, 2022. (Paul Chiasson / The Canadian Press files)

“As much as they’re younger than me, I feel like their curling mentality is on par,” she continued. “Their focus and determination is equal. If I am going to leave curling, it’s a great way to feel like I’ve maybe helped mentor the next generation.”

“If I am going to leave curling, it’s a great way to feel like I’ve maybe helped mentor the next generation.” –Jennifer Jones

Zacharias sees the echo of Lawes’s trajectory with Jones in more ways than one. Lawes, for instance, blossomed into one of the most technically superb sweepers in curling; Zacharias, who has never spent much time at any position other than skip, is eager to work on her own brushing, learn from different sweeping coaches and build up more strength in the gym.

Above all, though, she’s ready to soak up all that Jones knows about the game.

“We know exactly where we want to get to, and have similar goals and very high expectations of ourselves,” she said of her team. “Our downfall is that we haven’t been playing the women’s game for that long. So, playing third for Jen I’m just going to be able to soak that strategy in, and that’s going to be an absolutely fantastic experience. I cannot wait for that.”

They’ll likely start off in a big way. Based on their current rankings, the new team is expected to qualify for the first few Grand Slam of Curling events next season. That will still be very new territory for their crew: Burgess and Lenentine have played in one, while the Zacharias sisters will be making their first Grand Slam appearance at the Player’s Championship this April.

Now, they get to look ahead and know they’ll be kicking off their 2022 season against many of Canada — and even the world’s — best.

“We’re just in awe of what next season is going to look like. We have no idea what to expect, because we’ve never been in this situation before,” Zacharias said.

“But we’re so excited to take it step by step, and see where it goes, and go full in on curling. We have a lot of potential. Things are only going to go up for us, and I think Jen recognizes that and is ready to take us under her wing.”

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca

Adblock test (Why?)



Source link

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

 on

November 8, 2024

By

 

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

 on

November 8, 2024

By

 

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

 on

November 8, 2024

By

 

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version