'Love the moment': Jennifer Jones soaking up final Scotties appearance
Jennifer Jones is taking part in her final Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary, and she will go down as one of the greatest curlers in the history of the game.
The Manitoba-Jones skip has been doing what she often does at the tournament – winning games – but this will be her last time competing in the big event.
Last week, the six-time Scotties champion announced she’s stepping away from the women’s game to spend more time with her family.
But the Scotties will always be a special place for Jones.
“I still get that same adrenalin rush which is why I’ve played for I don't know how many years, because it's still so much fun,” Jones said.
“I do find myself trying to soak up the atmosphere that little bit more, but other than that it just feels like curling and one of my favourite events with some of my favourite and I’m just having a great time.”
Jones has competed in 18 Scotties. The 49-year-old skip has the utmost respect from teammates and opponents.
Kaitlyn Lawes, the skip of one of the other Manitoba team in the Scotties, is a former teammate of Jones'. They won the Scotties together in 2015.
“She’s definitely leaving a lasting legacy,” Lawes said.
“She’s been such an inspirational athlete and competitor for so many years and just someone, you know she's going to make all those big shots in those clutch moments.”
Amber Holland, Saskatchewan’s current fifth and a former skip who competed against Jones, said she admires and respects the success Jones has had throughout her career.
“I think the one thing that I know about Jennifer is that she likes to win and she likes to be the best,” Holland said.
As the week goes on, there’s no doubt things will get more emotional for Jones. She can only imagine what that last game will be like, but she will remain focused until that time comes.
“It's what I’ve done my whole career is just love the moment,” she said.
“No matter when we lose throughout this event it's going to be a great week.”
Jones isn’t stepping away from the sport entirely. She still plans to play mixed doubles with her husband Brett Laing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ministers Joly, LeBlanc travel to Florida to meet with Trump's team
Two members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet will be in Palm Beach, Fla., Friday to meet with members of Donald Trump's team.
Hwy. 401 off-ramp shut down due to Boxing Day deal-hunters now reopen
A Highway 401 off-ramp west of Toronto that became so clogged up with Boxing Day deal-hunters Thursday that police had to shut it down out of safety concerns has re-opened.
India alleges widespread trafficking of international students through Canada to U.S.
Indian law enforcement agencies say they are investigating alleged links between dozens of colleges in Canada and two 'entities' in Mumbai accused of illegally ferrying students across the Canada-United States border.
Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' dies after falling from moving vehicle
Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' died last week after falling from a moving vehicle in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, according to CNN affiliate WVTM.
B.C woman awarded nearly $750K in court case against contractor
A B.C. woman has been awarded nearly $750,000 in damages in a dispute with a contractor who strung her along for a year and a half and failed to complete a renovation, according to a recent court decision.
Florida pizza deliverer charged with stabbing pregnant woman after tip dispute
A pizza deliverer in central Florida has been charged with pushing her way into a motel room with an accomplice and stabbing a pregnant woman after a dispute over a tip, authorities said.
2 minors, 2 adults critically injured in south Calgary crash; incident was preceded by a robbery
Multiple people were rushed to hospital, including two minors, in the aftermath of a serious vehicle collision on Thursday morning.
Christmas Eve stowaway caught on Delta airplane at Seattle airport
A stowaway was caught trying to nab a ride on a Delta Air Lines plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Christmas Eve.
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defence fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured.