Martin rink takes BDO Classic
Next stop: Olympics
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/01/2010 (5745 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Kevin Martin & Co. are heading into Vancouver and the Winter Olympics on a roll.
Martin and his Edmonton rink of John Morris, Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert captured the BDO Classic Canadian Open in front of 4,115 at the MTS Centre Sunday afternoon with a 6-4 win over Glenn Howard. It was Martin’s last competitive game before he and his crew head to Vancouver where they’ll wear Canada’s colours.
Ironically, Martin also beat Howard in the final of the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials in December to earn the right to represent Canada.
"You can’t ask for better preparation than this, with the ice being almost perfect and probably a lot like it will be in Vancouver," said Martin. "I know (Thomas) Ulsrud (Team Norway) would feel the same way. It was great for them to be here and play on those kinds of conditions and just to get ready. And you can’t find better competition than the Grand Slam either. So the timing is perfect."
The win was Martin’s record 14th Grand Slam of Curling title and his fifth career BDO Classic Canadian Open championship following titles in the 2002-03, 2004-05, 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.
The victory also snapped a two-year Slam title drought for Martin who was winless in his previous eight events.
"It’s nice to get (another Slam). It’s been a while," said Martin, who was a perfect 8-0 during the event. "Everybody is so tough in these events and to win one is huge and you just have to get back on the track. Once you start to not win them, it’s tough to get back on that winning track."
Howard, meanwhile, was hoping for a small measure of revenge after losing to Martin at the Trials. But…
"That wasn’t a great game by any stretch," said Howard, who finished the tournament at 7-1. "I don’t think either team played very well. (Kevin’s team) is getting better which is good to see."
As tournament champions, Martin’s team won $25,000 while Howard’s squad took home $17,500 for finishing second.
Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca