Roller Coaster Curling at Olympic Games

What a day for mixed doubles curling at the Olympic Winter Games.

Australia won their first two games—after a stunning last-minute reinstatement to the competition—to eliminate silver medal-holders Switzerland (3-5) and then drop Canada into a three-way tie for second place at 5-3 with Great Britain and Norway.

Team GB and the Norwegians are through to the semifinals, while Canada isn’t quite there yet—thanks to poor results in the pre-competition Last Stone Draw.

Italy are massively ahead of the field with an 8-0 record, after a win over China (8-4) and a wild evening triumph over Sweden (12-8).

It was a head-shaking day for the Aussies as they were out of the competition before being reinstated, and then won both matches to finish their inaugural curling Olympics at 2-7.

“The last 24 hours have been a roller coaster to say the least,” Tahli Gill said after the win over Switzerland.

The much-anticipated match between students and mentor started off all Australia, as the Canadians fell into a gargantuan 7-0 hole—and with their power play already used. 

One wild hour later the score was 8-7 for Gill and partner Dean Hewitt, and Gill faced a hit-and-stay for the win,although a draw to the eight-foot rings also beckoned. However, Gill missed, forcing an 8-8 tie and an extra-end.

The see-saw affair came to an end on Rachel Homan’s last draw attempt, which fell wide and heavy.

Norway’s day was also A-plus, with must-wins over Sweden (6-2) and Great Britain (6-2).

Canada’s day was wild, as the loss to the Aussies followed a scary win—with a steal of two in an extra-end—over Czech Republic. The Czechs, Swiss and USA are all at 3-5 with China at 2-6.

Sweden is reeling at 5-4 but still has a chance at the playoffs. Their fate depends on the Monday morning results.

Monday’s round robin finale sees Norway battle Switzerland, Great Britain challenge USA, China versus Czech Republic and Canada against Italy—which is a playoff qualifier for the Canadians.

Homan was asked what she knew about Italy’s Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner.

“Personally? Absolutely nothing,” Homan told CBC. “They’re very tall. I know that by standing beside them this week.

“I know that they’re playing really well. They’re crushing teams like they’ve been here for 20 years.”