Stoughton wins BDO Classic curling final

CBC Sports: Stoughton wins BDO Classic curling final

WebPosted Sun, 08 Jan 2006 22:19:30 EST
CBC Sports

Jeff Stoughton and his Winnipeg foursome defeated the team led by Calgary’s John Morris 7-6 in the 11th end of the BDO Classic Canadian Open final in Winnipeg on Sunday.

The team collects $30,000 for the victory in front of over 5,000 fans at the MTS Centre.

Jeff Stoughton won the BDO Classic Canadian Open event in Winnipeg on Sunday. (CP file photo)
“This amount is miniscule compared to going to represent Canada at the Olympics so you can’t compare the two at all,” he said. “This is fantastic to win here in Winnipeg in your hometown so that’s the best part of this event.”

Morris picked up an $18,000 cheque for second place in the $100,000 Grand Slam event, the second of four major bonspiels on the World Curling Tour.

“It’s better than losing at the trials,” he said. “You get 100 pats on the back (for that) so that’s the good thing about these Slams. If you make it pretty deep into the weekend, then at least you’re going home with a paycheque.

“As curlers, it’s not always easy to make a lot of money at this game.”

Morris began the final with a steal in the first end after Stoughton failed a raise takeout. The teams were tied 4-4 heading into the eighth end when Morris wrecked on a guard in front and left Stoughton a draw for three and the 6-4 lead. Morris tied it again in the 10th to force the extra end.

With last rock, the 1996 world champion Stoughton hit, rolled and tapped to lie the winning stone on the button.

Stoughton, third Jon Mead, second Garry Vandenberghe and lead Steve Gould lost the Olympic berth last month to Newfoundland’s Brad Gushue in an 8-7 final at the curling trials in Halifax.

Gushue was competing in the 15-team Winnipeg event, but didn’t make it to the eight-team playoffs.

Stoughton made it into the Open final after downing defending BDO champion and 2002 Olympic silver medallist Kevin Martin of Alberta 6-5 in the 11th end of one semifinal. Martin took home $12,000.

Morris, Kevin Koe, Marc Kennedy and Paul Moffat upset defending world champion Randy Ferbey of Edmonton 7-5 in the other semi. It was only Morris’ second victory against Ferbey in their last 15 meetings since 2003. The Ferbey foursome won $12,000.

Gushue and teammates Mark Nicholls, Russ Howard and Jamie Korab have one more tuneup before heading to next month’s Olympics in Italy. The group is travelling to the 10-team Canada Cup in Kamloops, B.C., at the end of the month. Martin and Ferbey are also playing in the event.

“Everything we do between now and the Olympics is helping prepare us,” Gushue said. “As long as we see an improvement, that’s the main thing. Winning is not the important thing.”

Olympic-bound Pete Fenson of the United States and reigning Olympic champion Pal Truslen of Norway were also at the Open.

with files from Canadian Press