Olympic gold medal winner Brad Jacobs and his team feted at Brier

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Olympic gold medallist Brad Jacobs and his team were treated like curling royalty Saturday when they visited the Canadian men’s curling championship and say they have their sights fixed on Korea in 2018.

Hundreds lined up to get autographs from Jacobs, third Ryan Fry, second E.J. Harnden and lead Ryan Harnden before the 3-4 page playoff game between Manitoba and Quebec.

Jacobs and his team weren’t able to win a berth to compete in the Brier because of his Olympic schedule but starting next year the previous year’s winner will return automatically as Team Canada.

“It’s definitely a little different to be here and not to be playing,” he said.

“This would have been our fifth in a row had we been able to qualify out of Northern Ontario once again, but you know we’ll take the gold medal over playing in the Brier this year.”

“We can suck it up and we’ll try to qualify next year, we’ll see what happens.”

But both Jacobs and Fry say they have their sights on Korea in 2018 as well.

“When we established this team we had a goal to stay together for the six years to try and put our mark on being one of the top teams that’s played the game.” said Fry.

“We have had a taste of what the Olympics feels like and to be honest with you, I don’t want to share that with any other team in Canada. I want to be that team in 2018 and we’re prepared to put as much work as necessary into getting back to that podium.”