Canada’s Jones Prepares To Defend World Curling Title

20/03/2009 05:18

Jennifer Jones is used to a hectic existence.

Thanks to an incredible comeback at this year's Scotties Tournament of Hearts, things are about to get a whole lot crazier.

Jones, third Cathy Overton-Clapham, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn Askin look to defend their title at the world women's curling championship, which gets underway Saturday in Gangneung, South Korea.

Jones will try to become the first Canadian skip to repeat as world champ since Sandra Peterson -- later Schmirler -- won back-to-back titles in 1993 and 1994.

It's been a whirlwind 13 months for Jones, who stormed back from near-elimination to win the 2008 Scotties in Regina and followed that up by capturing the world championship in Vernon, B.C. She found herself in a similar situation at this year's Scotties in Victoria, sitting at 6-4 before reeling off five straight wins to defend her Canadian title.

In between, Jones found time to curl in an exhibition against male counterparts, take part in a number of fundraisers and charity events, do a little public speaking and even appear in a nationally televised Capital One credit card commercial.

Add in her regular job as an in-house legal counsel for Wellington West Capital, and it's a small wonder that Jones isn't completely exhausted. But Jones says she wouldn't have it any other way.

"I don't know what enough sleep is," Jones joked in a recent telephone interview. "I think it's mind over matter, really. I've always been busy, I'm used to being busy. I don't allow myself to feel tired.

"My friends all say I'm the busiest person they know, but that's life as I know it. Maybe I'll slow down one day . . . but right now, I'm living the dream."

This year's world championship will present a major challenge for the Jones foursome, which has enjoyed the majority of its success on home soil. It's a 9,268-kilometre trek from the team's home base at Winnipeg's St. Vital Curling Club to the city of Gangneung, a popular tourist locale located on the east coast of South Korea.

A 12-hour time difference is enough of a nuisance for the average traveller. For athletes, such a shock to the system could have an adverse effect on preparation -- not to mention sleeping and eating patterns.

"We've never done it (like this)," said Jones, who arrived in South Korea on Sunday. "We've been to Europe before, but that's not nearly as far, and the time change is not nearly as severe.

"The biggest thing is to try and get on the clock right away, and sleep when you can. We don't have a choice."

Jones will open the tournament Saturday against Bingyu Wang of China in a rematch of last year's final, won 7-4 by Canada. Wang, who beat Canada in last year's round robin and again in the 1-versus-2 Page playoff game, is widely considered Jones's top threat.

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SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

It’s an extremely strong field for the Women’s Worlds this year, with eight teams that competed in 2008 returning. However, when it gets down to the playoffs and the championship game, don’t bet against Jennifer Jones and Team Canada. Good luck, Jennifer and the rest of Team Canada. Let’s do Canada proud and bring home the gold!