Winnipeg’s McEwen beats Sweden’s Edin to win inaugural Syncrude Elite 10 event

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen swept past Sweden’s Niklas Edin to become the first-ever champion of the Syncrude Elite 10 on Sunday, the newest event in the Grand Slam of Curling.

McEwen’s rink, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, edged out the European champion, finishing two-up in the match play tournament. This is McEwen’s second title of the Grand Slam season, following a championship win at the National. McEwen takes home $26,000 for the Syncrude Elite 10 title.

“It’s the inaugural Syncrude Elite 10 — no one has ever played this format before — so winning it has an extra cool factor,” said McEwen. “We really want to win the Players’ Championship badly, that’s the best of the best in the Slams. It would be amazing to go out on top and win that in Toronto.”

A combined purse of $100,000 was awarded at the five-day event that included 10 of the top men’s curling teams in the world. The action continues next month when 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams meet in Toronto at the Players’ Championship — the fifth and final event of the Grand Slam of Curling season.