Martin Overcomes Wayside Jinx

12/11/2008 00:37

Reigning World Championship team undefeated at Lloydmister bonspiel

Kevin Martin has won Canadian curling championships, a world title and played in the Olympics. But it took him 20 years to qualify for the final of the Wayside Inn Curling Classic, let alone win it.

Martin and his split Edmonton- Calgary rink of third John Morris, second Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert, defeated Lloydminster's Warren Hassall 7-4 in Monday's final.

"I don't know why we haven't won here," said Martin. "But it feels good to win. We're pretty solid right now and are going pretty good." Both teams were undefeated in six games to reach the final, and both teams had to go to an extra end to win their respective semifinals -- Martin edging Scotland's David Murdoch 4-3 while Hassall downing Sean Geall of New Westminster, B.C., 5-4.

Martin's rink earned $22,000 with the win to jump ahead of Ontario's Glenn Howard for the No. 1 ranking on the World Curling Tour's money list. He has $73,553 in winnings this season.

Martin made one of his trademark shots to take control of the game with a three-ender in the third end.

"Typical Kevin Martin shot," said Hassall, who was also playing in his first Wayside final. "It was a high hard one on the side. After they made that shot, it kind of took the game away from us." To his credit, Hassall stayed within two points, trailing 6-4 coming home.

"It's fun playing at home," said Hassall, who is in his first season with his current team of Scott Manners, Mike Jantzen and Chris Hassall.

Martin's rink, which now has a 32-3 record this season, has won three bonspiels and finished second in the other two events it's played.

The team leaves today for the first Grand Slam event of the season. The Masters of Curling starts Wednesday at the Waterloo Memorial Rec Complex.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

What a lousy start to the season for Team Kevin Martin. Five bonspiels, three wins and two second place finishes.