The 2024 HearingLife Tour Challenge ended in an exciting conclusion with Bruce Mouat of Scotland defeating Brad Gushue of Canada 10-3 in the men’s final. The Grand Slam of Curling event took place in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, marking the start of the competitive curling season.
Mouat’s dominant performance culminated in a critical seventh end, where he scored five points, effectively putting the game out of reach. Gushue, a decorated curler from St. John’s, Newfoundland, managed to reduce the score gap earlier, but Mouat’s team kept up the pressure, ultimately forcing Gushue to concede before the eighth end. Gushue’s journey to the final included a 7-3 semifinal victory over Matt Dunstone, while Mouat advanced with a win over Mike McEwen in the semis.
This victory adds another feather to the cap for Team Mouat, which has been in excellent form, having won back-to-back titles earlier in the season. Their consistency and strong play have earned them the top spot in the world rankings, and this win in Charlottetown further solidifies their position as one of the world’s top curling teams.
For Gushue, this result, while disappointing, doesn’t diminish his standing as one of the most experienced skips in the sport, with 15 Grand Slam titles to his name. Despite facing a formidable opponent, Gushue’s competitive spirit and experience kept him in contention throughout the week.
This men’s final highlighted the intense level of play and competition within curling’s top-tier teams, as the Grand Slam circuit continues to bring out the best in the sport.
