13 March 2024
Strong showing from last year’s finallists on Wednesday
Wednesday 13 March was the third day of round-robin play at the SD Biosensor World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2024. Altogether 16 games were played in the Gangneung Curling Centre.
Both title-defenders, Latvia, and last year’s finallists, United States had two games and won both with convincing performances.
Click here for the standings in all groups after day two.
Group A
Six games were played in this group on Wednesday. Türkiye had a two-game day. In the morning, they met so-far undefeated Slovakia and won by 6-4. In the afternoon, they played title-defenders Latvia and lost by 5-13.
That was Latvia’s second game of the day. They had won over Norway in the morning, also by scoring a two-digit figure, 10-5.
Scotland also had two games. In the morning, they lost against Poland, 5-8. In the afternoon, they lost against Estonia, 6-7.
After their morning win over Scotland, Poland’s Lukasz Waszek said, “I’m happy and satisfied! Our concentration, precision and fun was the key to our win. I hope we’ll win our upcoming two games!”
Poland and Slovakia played each other in the afternoon. Slovakia were leading the game by 5-0 at half time and won by 9-3 in seven ends.
Group B
Six games took place in Group B. Last year’s bronze medallists, Canada, had two games. First, they met Finland and lost by 7-9. Later, they played England and lost again, 4-6. That was England’s second game of the day, as earlier, United States beat them, 8-4.
After their afternoon win over Canada, Finland’s Harry Tuomaala said, “We had a long journey to Korea, and so far we didn’t have wins. So, this one means a lot.
“In the first two days, we were a bit confused by the ice, because it was slower than the one we normally practise on. It was slower than what we expected. It wasn’t bad ice, it was just slower, so we needed to get used to it.”
Their coach, Lauri Ikavalko added, “It was the first victory for them ever on the world level. So this is a big win! This is the victory why we are doing this curling!”
Newcomers to this event, Slovenia, also had two games. First, they lost against Italy by 2-6, and later, they lost against Finland by 1-9.
In the evening, United States won their second game of the day by 13-2 against Switzerland.
Group C
In the morning, Japan met Denmark. The Japanese won by 8-3, mostly due to a steal of three in the second and a score of three in the sixth end.
In the afternoon, Sweden met so-far unbeaten Korea. The hosts were leading the game by 4-2 at half time and eventually won by 5-7.
Afterwards, Korea’s Cho Minkyong said, “It was a very good game! We had to concentrate on our draws, our take-outs and all the things were in harmony.”
Her teammate, Jeong Taeyeong added, “In this game, I had a different mindset. At the end of the game, I realised that we can qualify for the play-offs. I was more concentrated.”
Debutants on this stage, Spain had two games on Wednesday. First, they played China and lost by 2-12.
After their game against China, Spain’s Bertrand Tramont said, “It’s very interesting, it’s the first time we play together in mixed doubles. And have a lot of things to learn, but we have a good time and all the teams are very good, so it’s good for us to play with them.
“We have to thank the Spanish federation, because they are making an effort to bring us the opportunity to play curling. It’s not usual to play curling in Spain.”
His teammate, Anna Nadal Rodriguez added, “We started to play curling one year ago, it’s a new sport for us. And it’s complicated to compete with these teams.”
In the evening, Spain met Hungary. That game went all the way to an extra end. In that end, Spain ran out of time and handed Hungary their first win of the week.
Afterwards, Hungary’s Barkoczi Peter said, “I’m very happy that finally we got a win. The way we got it is a little bit sad, but it’s still a win.”
His teammate, Sasadi Aniko added, “We were always on the wrong side of the inch in the previous games. It’s nice to go to bed tonight after a win.”
Click here for the standings after day three.
Click here for all the results and the playing schedule.
For information about streaming, click here.
Engage with the World Curling Federation during the SD Biosensor World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2024 on TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook, and Weibo and by searching the hashtags #WWhMDCC and #wheelchaircurling
