In a close final game at the World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2023 between Latvia and United States, Latvia prevailed as champions over United States, 11-8.
Latvia’s team of Polina Rozkova and Agris Lasmans, coached by Erkki Lill, held an early 5-1 lead after four ends. But with two scores of three points, United States clawed back, 8-7.
In the eighth end, the United States duo of Pam Wilson and David Samsa, coached by Jessica Schultz, set up a perfect end, resulting in a steal to force the extra end, 8-8.
Latvia had three shot stones buried behind cover in the extra end and United States couldn’t get to them, leaving Latvia with the victory, 11-8.
“I’m feeling incredible. I’m very happy and proud of myself and my teammate. I think that it’s a really great result for such a small country that doesn’t have many curling halls or much budget.”
United States’ Pam Wilson shared her thoughts after the game, “We played a fantastic team, it was kind of back and forth – it was pretty exciting going into an extra end. I was a little bit inside on my last shot. This is Dave and I’d first time making it this far, so it’s been an amazing experience. We got better as the week went on, but all the teams we played were excellent.”
Bronze medal game
In bronze medal action, Canada faced China. The Canadians – Collinda Joseph and Dennis Thiessen, coached by Dana Ferguson – opened with a score of five points, which China followed with four of their own. The teams traded scores of three back and forth four times, until Canada ran China out of stones to win 13-11.
“You know what?” says Canada’s Dennis Thiessen. “It feels almost as good as the gold! We had to really work hard for it, the score was up and down, up and down. But that last shot that Collinda made there to roll over, I figured no ‘this is it’. When you can play on your home turf with your family and friends, cheering us on loud like that, it’s awesome.
