Canada Wins First Gold in World Mixed Curling

Oct 21, 2018 | 9:58 AM

Canada defeated Spain 6-2 in the gold medal game at the Kelowna Curling Club, on Saturday to win Canada’s first world mixed title.

It was the first time the two teams met throughout the championship, and first ever world final appearance for Spain.

Mike Anderson, skip of Canada, backed by vice-skip Danielle Inglis, second Sean Harrison, lead Lauren Harrison and coach Jim Waite opened with two points in the first end, followed by a steal of one point in the second end.

In the third end, Spanish skip Sergio Vez attempted to split two stones into the rings, but settled for one point.

After a blank end in the fourth, Canada was forced to a single point in the fifth end with a delicate tap to the button to make the score 4-1.

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The turning point came in the sixth end, when Vez rolled out on a takeout against three Canadian stones, giving up a steal of two points to the home-crowd favourites.

Scoring a single point in the seventh end wasn’t enough for the Spaniards, ending the game, 6-2.

Anderson said after the victory, “we kind of had that feeling yesterday morning [at the start of the playoffs] that we were in the exact same situation as we were when we won the nationals. You’ve got these games ahead of you; just put your head down and go. When you wake up with that feeling, it just makes everything a bit easier.”

The Canadian squad marks it’s eighth year playing together, “it’s crazy; I started playing Sean when I was 14 or 15 and it’s really cool to win with him.

And to do it in Canada; I guess we were a little disappointed when we found out we wouldn’t be going to Europe, but after this whole week, I would argue with anyone who says going abroad to play a world championship is more fun.

The crowds here, to hear the hooting and hollering and stomping, it makes the game that much more fun.”

by Duane Grandbois