9 March 2024
Norway crowned world wheelchair curling champions
Saturday 9 March was the final day of the SD Biosensor World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2024 and it was all about the medal games.
Norway won gold medals after defeating Canada, 6-2, in the final. China picked up bronze after beating Sweden by 6-3.
Gold medal game – Norway versus Canada
In the first end, Canada scored one after a perfect hit by Jon Thurston. In the second, Norway scored one after a hit by Jostein Stordahl.
In the third, Norway stole one when Thurston’s shooter rolled out after his hit. In the fourth, Thurston had a difficult draw for one, couldn’t get his stone into scoring position, and Canada gave up another single. Norway 3, Canada 1 at half time.
In the fifth, Thurston attempted to draw for one, but his stone tapped a Norwegian stone into scoring position and Canada gave up one. In the sixth, Canada attempted to score two with a gentle tap, but Thurston’s stone came up a bit light for that, and Canada put only one on the board. Norway 4, Canada 2 after six.
In the seventh, Norway’s Stordahl made a draw for two and a 6-2 lead. In the eighth, Norway ran Canada out of stones and became world champions.
After winning gold, Ole Fredrik Syversen said, “We played a very good game, we were in full control all the time! Thinking about every stone we delivered and we made the shots and the aim was to make difficult shots.”
Talking about the entire championship, skip Jostein Stordahl added, “We started very well, then we had some difficulties, losing three games in a row, then we found ourselves again and we started to climb and the last five-six games, it was outstanding.”
After the final, Canada’s Mark Ideson said, “Our goal is always to make the play-offs and make the final game, so we did that. It wasn’t our day today, Norway had a great game. That’s just the way things go. We fought hard and we’re happy to be bringing home a medal for Canada.
“Every time you can get on the podium it’s special. We’re proud to have the silver but it just leaves us hungrier for gold next year,” he added.
Bronze medal game – China versus Sweden
China capitalised on their hammer in the first end and put two on the board. In the second, Sweden’s Marcus Holm missed his take-out and China stole one, 3-0.
In the third, China set up a great end for a steal, sitting in the back of the four-foot, guarded. Holm couldn’t get his last stone anywhere near and Sweden gave up one. China were leading, 4-0, after three.
In the fourth, Holm made two perfect hits and Sweden scored two. China 4, Sweden 2 at the break.
China skip Wang Haitao made a hit for one in the fifth to go up, 5-2. In the sixth, Holm wrecked on a guard with his last to give up single.
In the seventh, Holm made a perfect hit for one and for a 6-3 score-line, China leading. In the eighth, China ran Sweden out of stones and with that, picked up the bronze medals.
Afterwards, China’s Wang said, “I’m very happy! All the team members played very well today, everyone did their best! We will train hard and we hope to get a better result next year.”
The gold medallist Norwegian team are: skip Jostein Stordahl, third Geir Arne Skogstad, second Ole Fredrik Syversen and lead Mia Larsen Sveberg, supported by alternate Ingrid Djupskaas and coach Peter Dahlman.
The silver medallist Canadian team are: skip and lead Mark Ideson, fourth Jon Thurston, third Ina Forrest and second Gil Dash, supported by alternate Chrissy Molnar and coach Mick Lizmore.
The bronze medallist Chinese team are: skip Wang Haitao, third Zhang Shuaiyu, second Zhang Qiang and lead Yan Zhuo, supported by alternate Peng Bing and coach Li Jianrui.
At the Closing Ceremony, Estonia’s Katlin Riidebach was presented with the World Curling Wheelchair Sportsmanship Award. The award is voted on by athletes who were invited to nominate a fellow competitor who, in their view, has best exemplified the traditional values of skill, honesty, fair play, sportsmanship and friendship during the championship.
Click here for all the results of the championship.
Watch back all games of the championship here.
Engage with the World Curling Federation about the SD Biosensor World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2024 on TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook, and Weibo and by searching the hashtags #WWhCC and #wheelchaircurling
