World team leads early at 2013 Continental Cup curling competition

PENTICTON, B.C. – The World team got off to an impressive start at the 2013 World Financial Group Continental Cup curling competition, earning two wins and a tie in Thursday’s opening draw.

Scotland’s Eve Muirhead cruised to an 8-3 rout of Edmonton’s Heather Nedohin, while Switzerland’s Mirjam Ott outlasted American Allison Pottinger 9-7.

It was almost a clean sweep for the World team, but Winnipeg’s Jennifer Jones salvaged a half-point for North America in a 6-6 draw with Sweden’s Margaretha Sigfridsson.

Jones, making her season debut after giving birth to a daughter and recovering from knee surgery, scored two points in the eighth and final end to pull out the tie.

“It felt great,” Jones said. “I’ve been practising and it’s been going really well, but to be in competition feels awesome, and to have a shot for the win and get the adrenalin going is a great way to start the week for me.”

With the results, World takes a 2.5.-0.5 lead over North America in the competition. The first team to reach 30.5 points wins the Ryder Cup-style event.

“That’s what we came out here to do this morning – get some points on the board,” Muirhead said. “We got off to a really strong start, getting the three in the first end.

“Really, from then, especially when it is only eight-end games, that’s a big lead. We managed to hit them out the park and force ones when we could, so a good, solid start.”

Competition continues Thursday with mixed doubles competition in draw 2 and men’s team competition in draw 3.

The winning side receives $52,000 ($2,000 per member, including captain and coach), while the losing side gets $26,000 ($1,000 per member, including captain and coach). As well, the side that generates the highest point total in Sunday’s six skins games will receive an additional $13,000.

Each side has won four Continental Cups. The World team prevailed last year in Langley, B.C.