Winnipeg fans cheer Jennifer Jones gold-medal Olympic win

Curling fans packed thehome Winnipeg rink of Jennifer Jones and watchedthe Team Canada skip win gold Thursday in women's curling at the Sochi Olympics.

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Its just been an amazing journey for us and a lot of hard work, and its paid off, said Jones after her victory. We had the best week of our lives.

Jennifers sister, Heather Jones, watched the win from Winnipeg.

Im kind of beside myself to be honest, she said. I cant wait to actually give her a squeeze and see that medal myself!

Heather wasn't the only one watching.

I wanted my granddaughter on my knee so I could remember forevermore where I was and who I was holding [when] we got gold! said Kerry Kohut, who has curled in Winnipegs St. Vital neighbourhood for more than 30 years and watched the events live on Thursday.

The win also sent a swarm of people decked out in red and white at the Winnipeg curling club into a cheering-and-cowbell-ringing frenzy so loud it's not unlikely Jones and her rink third Kaitlyn Lawes,second Jill Officer, and lead Dawn McEwenheard itmore than 8,000 kilometres away in Russia.

Among the 130-140 supportersat the curling club wasManitoba Permier Greg Selinger, who saidJones has not only made her country proud, but she's "going to lift the whole game of curling in Manitoba.

"And it lifts Manitoba as a presence around the country," he added.

Nine-year-old fan Joshua Geisbrecht shared that sentiment.

"She inspires me a lot. It's all in my family, too. It's her and my grandma and my sister, and just watching her play just inspires me so much," he said.

Duane Budnick the president of the St. Vital Curling Club, said he thinks the win will mean a resurgence of interest in the sport.

"We're going to see it across Canada. The excitement comes and people want to try it," he said.

Team Canadawill be arriving back in Winnipeg at theJames ArmstrongRichardsonInternationalAirportonMonday, February 24at 10:11 p.m.

Immediately following the game, WinnipegMayor Sam Katzissued a congratulatory press release.

It is with great pride that I congratulate Jennifer Jones and her teammates on their gold medal winning performance at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, he said. It isa rare honour to have the opportunity to represent your country at the Olympics, and Team Jones did a phenomenal job as both athletes and ambassadors for Canada. Speaking on behalf of all Winnipeggers, we could not be prouder.

Upon their return, Mayor Katz will present the team with City of Winnipeg outstanding achievement award medallions an honour bestowed to gold medal Olympic champions based or residing in Winnipeg.

A presentation ceremony will be announced at a later date.