North America beats World 37-23 to capture Continental Cup curling tournament

PENTICTON, B.C. – North America cruised to a 37-23 victory over the World squad on the final day of the World Financial Group Continental Cup.

North America went into the final skins session Sunday at the Ryder Cup-inspired curling tournament with a 26.8-18.5 advantage, a deficit that proved too big for World to overcome in the 60-point competition.

World edged North America 8-7 in the first session, but were blown out 10.5-4.5 in the second session on the strength of three straight wins by Winnipeg’s Jennifer Jones, Edmonton’s Kevin Martin and Glenn Howard of Coldwater, Ont.

North America’s team, which also included Americans Heath McCormick and Allison Pottinger, Edmonton’s Heather Nedohin, captain Kelley Law of Coquitlam, B.C., and coach Rick Lang of Thunder Bay, Ont., received $52,000 ($2,000 per member), as well as a $13,000 bonus for winning the most points from the final three skins games.

World’s team, coached by Sweden’s Peja Lindholm, captained by Scotland’s David Hay and including Scotland’s Tom Brewster, Eve Muirhead, Niklas Edin and Margaretha Sigfridsson, Norway’s Thomas Ulsrud and Mirjam Ott of Switzerland, settled for the runner-up prize of $26,000, ($1,000 per member).

Both sides have won the tournament four times since the first event in 2002. Next year’s event will be held in Las Vegas.