Canada stays in lead pack by beating Sweden at Ford Worlds

SWIFT CURRENT —There is a traffic jam unlike Swift Current has ever seen at the top of the Ford World Women’s Curling championship, presented by Meridian Manufacturing. Canada, Russian, Japan, Switzerland and Scotland all have 4-1 records after three days of play at the Credit Union iplex. After a disappointing morning loss to Russia’s Anna Sidorova, Canada’s Chelsea Carey salvaged a Monday split, bouncing back with a 7-4 win over Sweden’s Margaretha Sigfridsson (1-4) on the late draw. Scotland’s Eve Muirhead, meanwhile, had quite a tussle with Erika Brown of the United States (1-4) before winning 6-5. On the next sheet, Switzerland’s Binia Feltscher (4-1) made short work of Germany’s Daniela Driendl (3-2), winning 9-2 in eight ends. Both Sidorova and Japan’s Satsuki Fujisawa had the night off. In the Canada-Sweden game, Carey made a highlight-reel double on the ninth end when a steal by Sweden was definitely in play. When a guard attempt thrown by Swedish last-rock thrower Maria Prytz didn’t curl enough, Carey navigated a port and moved a whole lot granite around. When the rocks quit rolling, two yellow ones were closest to the button. Carey said she was in a better head space Monday night than she was in the morning loss to Russia. “You have to remember to have fun, enjoy what you are doing and throw everything to make it,” she said. “I was in a better head space this last game.” Carey, whose team is rounded out by third Amy Nixon, second Jocelyn Peterman, lead Laine Peters, alternate Susan O’Connor, team coach Charley Thomas and national coach Elaine Dagg-Jackson, said it was important to play well. “Even if you don’t win that game, you want to bounce back and feel like you are doing the right things,” said Carey. “This morning wasn’t about the loss, it was about where I was mentally. So it was a big recovery to feel like I am doing the right things.”
From left, Scotland's Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams and Eve Muirhead have a laugh during Monday night's win. (Photo, Curling Canada/Michael Burns)

From left, Scotland’s Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams and Eve Muirhead have a laugh during Monday night’s win. (Photo, Curling Canada/Michael Burns)

One of the right things, was her big shot on the ninth end. “I knew it was there and it was worth a try,” Carey said. “The draw for one was really hard, so you might as well try for two. I knew if I got through the hole with the weight I was going to throw, it was going to be close. We got through the hole and it just worked out perfect. It felt really good to make it, that was a couple of really big points for us.” The first turning point in the game came on the fifth end, when Prytz rolled too far on a wide-open takeout, leaving Canada with a steal of two. The gift gave Canada a 4-2 lead. Until then, Sweden had controlled much of the play. In the other game on the late draw, South Korea’s Ji Sun Kim (2-3) downed Denmark’s Lene Nielsen (2-3) 9-3 in eight ends. Finland’s Oona Kauste (1-4) and Italy’s Federica Apollonio (0-5) had byes on the evening draw. Action resumes at 9 a.m. (all times MDT) Tuesday at the Credit Union iplex. Canada plays Germany at 9 a.m. and Italy at 2 p.m. For ticket and other event information, visit https://www.curling.ca/2016worldwomen/tickets/ For the complete results, standings, the schedule and much more, visit to https://www.curling.ca/2016worldwomen/ This story will be posted in French as soon as possible at https://www.curling.ca/2016worldwomen/?lang=fr TSN (RDS2 in French), the exclusive television network for Curling Canada’s Season of Champions, will provide complete coverage of the 2016 Ford Worlds.