PARADISE, N.L. - Glenn Howard edged Brad Jacobs 6-5 on Thursday afternoon to remain unbeaten at the inaugural Tour Challenge at the Paradise Double Ice Complex.

Howard, from Penetanguishene, Ont., scored three points in the eighth end for the victory over the Olympic champion from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Winnipeg skips Reid Carruthers and Mike McEwen lead the round-robin standings at 3-0 after seven draws of the first Grand Slam of Curling event of the season. Howard is alone in third place at 2-0.

In other early games, Charlottetown's Adam Casey beat Scotland's David Murdoch 7-4 and Edmonton's Brendan Bottcher dumped Switzerland's Sven Michel 7-1.

In women's play, Ottawa's Rachel Homan topped Switzerland's Binia Feltscher 8-3 while Tracy Fleury of Sudbury, Ont., defeated EunJung Kim of South Korea 8-7 in an extra end.

Homan is in a four-way tie for the lead at 2-0. Round-robin play continues later Thursday.

The $200,000 competition is a two-tier event featuring 30 men's and 30 women's teams.