Canada is the heavy favourite in the Ford Worlds at the Brandt Centre. France is not.
But these were the leaders at 2-and-0 following two opening draws Saturday during which Canada doubled Switzerland 8-4 and then rallied to take out Denmark 9-5; France defeated the Czech Republic 9-5 and Korea 8-2.
“Good day, 2-and-0,” expounded Canadian skip Jeff Stoughton of Winnipeg. “I mean, that’s what we wanted. It’s perfect. All we can ask for. It doesn’t matter how we get them, we’re taking them.”
The Canadian team of third Jon Mead, second Reid Carruthers and lead Steve Gould gets Sunday morning off before going against Germany’s Andy Kapp in its only other weekend assignment.
The best-ever record turned in by a French team at the world men’s championship transpired at Regina in 1973 when Pierre Boan racked up seven wins.
Current French skip Thomas Dufour has twice won six in this later era — in 2007 and 2008.
“Good start, eh?” said Dufour. “We wished we could have a good start like this. Regina must be a good place for French teams. We hope it keeps going like this.”