25 January 2024

Great Britain win Youth Olympic gold 

Great Britain defeated Denmark for Youth Olympic gold after a 7-5 win in an extra end.

Great Britain opened the game with a single point after an offensive end from both sides. In the second end, Denmark capitalised on an opportunity for a big score of four when they picked out alone Great Britain stone for four points. 

In the following end, Great Britain got forced to a single point after attempting a long raise. 

Great Britain began their comeback when they stole one point to make it 4-3 after Denmark were heavy on their final draw against two. 

The Brits continued to put the pressure on, stealing another point in the fifth end after Denmark rolled too far on their hit, leveling the game 4-4. 

In the seventh end, Great Britain stole once again after Denmark was left with no shot to score. Great Britain took their first lead of the game, 5-4.

Denmark managed to force an extra end when they drew to the four-foot for one point, 5-5, against three counters.

In the extra end, Great Britain didn’t need to throw their final stone, after Denmark missed their final draw, giving them the gold medals. 

“It’s absolutely amazing and to come back from behind is really special. I couldn’t be prouder of this team,” said Great Britain skip Logan Carson.

“I think I’ve cried the last three games we’ve played,” said lead Holly Burke. “I don’t usually get emotional but this competition has made me get that way. You can’t ask for much more than gold, can you? We always stay together, we always keep each other strong.”

Great Britain’s team is skipped by Logan Carson and supported by vice-skip Tia Laurie, second Archie Hyslop and lead Holly Burke. 

Denmark is skipped by Jacob Schmidt, joined by his sister at vice-skip, Katrine Schmidt, second Nikki Jensen and lead Emilie Holtermann. 

“I’m a bit disappointed in the match, but at the same time I’m happy for the result the team made. We got a silver medal so we are super happy, ” said Denmark’s skip Schmidt.

“This is [the top] achievement of my life. I’ve never achieved anything more precious than this.”

Switzerland win Youth Olympic bronze

Earlier in the day, Switzerland, skipped by Nathan Dryburgh, backed by vice-skip Alissa Rudolf, second Livio Ernst and lead Jana Soltermann, persevered in a tense game that came down to an extra end against China, 10-8.

China opened the game with a single point and Switzerland followed up with an open hit for two points. 

After a flashed hit by Swiss skip Nathan Dryburgh in the fourth end, China had an open shot for three points and a 4-2 lead. 

But in the fifth, Switzerland got their stones in favourable positions, leaving China chasing the whole end. Dryburgh had a draw to the eight-foot for a big score of four which put his team up 6-4. 

China made a draw to the four-foot for a single in the seventh end to put the game within a one-point reach, 6-5.

In the eighth end, Switzerland appeared in control, up by three points. But a strong end by China resulted in a score of three to force and extra end. 

In the extra end, China missed their final draw to the button, leaving Switzerland with two stones in the house, to win by 10-8.

“To get back mentally it was tough,” said Dryburgh. “I took my team the hard way. The mental and physical strengths made the difference there.”

“I didn’t [handle the nerves] well at all, said Ernst. “I think we were really nervous, but because we are a great team, we can manage it.” 

“It’s a very good feeling to have all our families and friends here,” added Soltermann. “We can celebrate with them, but even if we lost they were here to support us. I think this is also an important part of success and it pushed us a little bit further.” 

Click here for results and standings. 
Watch the Olympics live stream here.
Watch the replays here.