World squad takes 2-1 lead at Continental Cup as Jones, Stoughton fall

CTV Winnipeg: Stoughton faces tough battle at Cont Jeff Stoughton's curling team ran out of time to fight back in its opening draw at the Continental Cup in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS - The World squad is off to an impressive start at the Continental Cup curling tournament, taking a 2-1 lead over North America after Thursday's opening draw.

Reigning world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland opened with a 12-2 rout of Winnipeg's Jennifer Jones in a battle of teams bound for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Muirhead stole three in the fourth end and two more in fifth to earn the full point in the team standings.

"It was a great start, we played really well and the ice conditions are fantastic," Muirhead said. "We had a really solid game out there and to get the first points on the board for Team World was good."

The teams will meet again, possibly this week and certainly in Sochi.

"You forget that Sochi is only a couple of weeks away and Jennifer's going to be there but it doesn't really cross your mind," Muirhead said. "We play Jennifer a lot during the season and every game is just as tough. It makes it no different to any other game if we play her here or at the Winter Olympics or at any (World Curling) Tour event."