Canada’s Jacobs dumps Czechia’s Klima in men’s curling at Winter Olympics

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO – The Roaring Game took some hits over the weekend at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Canada’s Marc Kennedy said there’s work to be done to get the essence of the game back on track.

“I think the whole spirit of curling is dead, unfortunately,” Kennedy said Monday after an 8-2 victory over Czechia’s Lukas Klima. 

Kennedy’s argument with Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson about ‘double-touching’ stones on Friday night kick-started a remarkable 48-hour stretch for the sport.

It saw a profanity-laced clip go viral, a change to World Curling’s umpire setup, rocks pulled from games, tension between teams, harsh words for the sport’s governing body, and finally a backtrack from the organization.  

In a sport known for sportsmanlike spirit and camaraderie, it hit harder than a five-second takeout. 

“This whole (idea of) trying to catch people in the act of an infraction and (doing) anything to win a medal, it sucks, it’s unfortunate,” Kennedy said. “But you know, it is what it is, the sport is evolving. 

“The powers that be probably will have to take a real good look at this and really solidify the rules going forward.”

Eriksson felt some Canadian players were touching stones a second time after releasing the rock’s handle. It’s illegal to touch the granite once a stone is released.

Kennedy strongly objected to the accusation and used profanity to make his point. The interaction aired live on the game broadcast since curlers are mic’d during play.

“I think we’ve played the game at a high level long enough where we’re not looking for infractions,” Kennedy said. “We don’t look for infractions at Grand Slams, we don’t look for that kind of stuff on tour, we just trust that the people around us aren’t trying to cheat. 

“There might be small infractions here and there but most of the time you shrug it off because you’ve got so much respect for the players that you’re playing against.”

World Curling released a clarification of its rules the next day and beefed up its umpire presence near the hog lines. Canadian women’s skip Rachel Homan had a stone pulled later that night and Great Britain’s Bobby Lammie had one removed the next day.

After a meeting with all teams, the federation went back to its regular setup on Sunday night. Umpires would only watch the delivery area for three ends if asked by the opposing team.

“Everything that we go through is going to make us better both as a team and as a sport,” said Canadian coach Paul Webster. “I think it just got better because of all this stuff.”

Eriksson said he was pleased with how World Curling handled the situation.

“For us, it’s been a problem the last couple of years,” he said. “So we think it’s good that everyone can play with the same rules. Hopefully it’s just getting better from this.”

Kennedy, skip Brad Jacobs and teammates Brett Gallant and Ben Hebert have managed to put the distractions behind them. They improved to 5-1 with their latest victory.

“It feels like we’re back to normal and we’re just able to play, be ourselves and execute on all the things that we’ve been working really hard on,” Jacobs said.

Switzerland’s Yannick Schwaller was in first place at 5-0. Canada was alone in second spot ahead of American Daniel Casper and Norway’s Magnus Ramsfjell at 4-2.

Canada’s opponent on Tuesday, top-ranked Bruce Mouat of Great Britain, was in fifth place at 4-3. The top four teams at the end of round-robin play will advance to the semifinals on Thursday night.

Canada even got alternate Tyler Tardi into the game for the last two ends. It was the Olympic debut for the 27-year-old Calgary resident.

“It’s a lot to take in and super thrilling obviously,” he said. “But I don’t think words are ever going to describe how I’m feeling right now.”

Tardi normally plays third for a team skipped by Kevin Koe. He also served as fifth for Jacobs at the world championship last season.

“I think he shot 100 per cent, so not a bad Olympic career so far,” Webster said.

With files from The Associated Press. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2026.