Winnipegger Kaitlyn Lawes and Winnipeg-born John Morris won gold on Tuesday in mixed doubles curling at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
Canada took an early 6-2 lead after two ends and maintained the lead throughout the game winning by a final of 10-3 over Jenny Perret and Martion Rios of Switzerland.
The win was a first for the event, which debuted at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.
Lawes curls out of the St. Vital Curling Club and her family and fans gathered early Tuesday morning to cheer her on.
Crystal Hurd, Kaitlyn Lawes sister-in-law, says to see Kaitlyn realize her dreams was an extremely proud moment.
“Honestly I was tearing up,” said Hurd. “A wave of emotion came over me because I know how much shes’s put into training and perfecting her craft.”
Lawes won her first Olympic gold medal at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics playing third with Jennifer Jones.
Pam Kok, President of the St. Vital Curling Club, talked about opening the club for a viewing party so people could cheer on Lawes.
“We opened the doors officially at 4:30 a.m. and our first fan arrived at 4:20 a.m.,” said Kok. “I was super surprised with the turn out, who wants to get up to come to the club at for 5 a.m.?”
Winnipeg’s Jeff Stoughton, a two-time world men’s curling champion, served as the team’s coach.