Milan (Rajeev Sharma): In a dramatic display of precision and composure, Brad Jacobs skipped his Calgary-based rink to an Olympic gold medal on Saturday, defeating Great Britain’s Bruce Mouat 9-6 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. The victory marks a return to the top of the podium for the Canadian men’s program and secures a second Olympic gold for Jacobs, who previously won the title in 2014.
The final was a tactical heavyweight bout between the world’s top two teams. Facing a raucous, pro-British crowd, the Canadian foursome of Jacobs, Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, and Ben Hebert navigated a back-and-forth affair that remained undecided until the final moments. The turning point arrived in the ninth end when Great Britain’s Bruce Mouat ranked No. 1 in the world missed a critical double takeout and bumped a freeze attempt, allowing Jacobs to draw for three points and take a commanding lead.
A Tense Tenth-End Finish
Leading 8-6 in the final end, the Canadians faced intense pressure as the game clock dwindled. With only 7.2 seconds remaining on their timer, Jacobs executed a high-velocity hit to force Mouat into a highly difficult final shot to tie the game. When Mouat’s stone overcurled and failed to find its mark, Canada stole a single point, triggering a jubilant celebration on the ice. Brooms were tossed into the air as the veteran squad embraced, eventually climbing the boards to celebrate with family and traveling supporters.
Legacy and Experience on the Ice
The Canadian victory was anchored by a roster with deep Olympic pedigree:
- Brad Jacobs: Adds a second gold to his 2014 Sochi title.
- Marc Kennedy & Ben Hebert: Secure their second Olympic gold, 16 years after winning with the legendary Kevin Martin in Vancouver 2010.
- Brett Gallant: Upgrades the bronze medal he earned with Brad Gushue in Beijing 2022 to a gold.
For Bruce Mouat and his Scottish teammates (Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, and Hammy McMillan), it was a second consecutive Olympic silver medal, following their loss to Sweden in the 2022 final. Despite the disappointment, Mouat’s rink remains a dominant force in the sport, as evidenced by the intense support from their chanting, flag-waving fans in Cortina.
Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller joined the finalists on the podium to receive the bronze medal, rounding out a European-heavy podium that was ultimately topped by Canadian grit.
