Canada's Jones, Laing earn pair of wins at world mixed doubles curling championship

Jennifer Jones and Brent Laing pose with their gold medals and the Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championship trophy in Sudbury, Ont., in a March 26, 2023, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Curling Canada, Duncan Bell

GANGNEUNG, Korea, Republic Of — Canada's Jennifer Jones and Brent Laing picked up a pair of wins on Monday at the world mixed doubles curling championship in South Korea.

The duo defeated Italy's Stefania Constantini and Sebastiano Arman 8-4 before dishing Australia's Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt an 11-6 loss in the evening session.

After playing from behind for much of the game, Canada took its first lead over Italy with a deuce in the fifth end. The Italians tied it with a single in the sixth but a pair of deuces from the Canadians in the final two ends allowed them to earn the victory.

Canada had a faster start against Australia, jumping out to a 6-2 lead through five ends. However, Australia finished a four-ender with a draw to tie it up.

Canada responded with five in the seventh and Australia conceded with one end to go.

Jones and Laing are 4-1 and atop Group A alongside Estonia (4-1) and Scotland (4-1). The Canadians will play the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2023.