Hicke, Eberle Remain Undefeated at Mixed Doubles World Championship

Canada’s Dean Hicke and Chantelle Eberle remain undefeated after three draws at the 2012 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Erzurum, Turkey.

Chantelle Eberle and Dean Hicke in action at the 2012 Mixed Doubles Curling Championship (Photo WCF/Volkan Atar)

In opening day action on Monday, Hicke and Eberle established an early lead against the Finnish pair, Jussi Uusipaavalniemi and Jaana Hämäläinen, and were 7-0 up by the fourth-end break. Finland scored 3 points in the fifth end and a further 2 in the seventh, but were eventually run out of stones in the eighth end for a 9-5 Canadian win. “They had a tough start picking up on the draw weight early,” said Hicke. “We had our draw weight right in the first end and we had them in trouble in the first three ends.” The ice was fast and swingy, reports National Team Coach Jim Waite from Erzurum. “Both of the team members were outstanding. Chantelle had great draw weight. We were up 7-0 before Finland got started.” In their 8-4 victory over Austria on Tuesday morning, the Canadians found the ice extremely fast and very swingy, with six feet of curl at the beginning of the game, then changing dramatically as the game went on. “It was tight, and we were up 3-2 after five ends,” says Waite. “We were a bit frustrated with the ice, but Dean made an outstanding triple in the sixth end, setting up a steal of 4.” After another steal of 1 in the seventh, the Austrians shook on an 8-2 Canadian win. Against France’s Tony Angiboust and Delphine Charlet on Tuesday evening, Canada used hammer to score multiple points and take a 6-2 lead after five. The game ended 8-3 after seven ends. On Wednesday, Hicke and Eberle face Slovakia and the host team, Turkey. Follow the 2012 Mixed Doubles Curling Championship Curling fans around the world can follow live coverage of the event via the World Curling Federation’s YouTube Channel which is embedded onto the homepage of the event website www.wmdcc2012.curlingevents.com Visit 2012 Mixed Doubles Live Coverage Schedule to see what games are being covered. The game between Canada and China will be broadcast on Thursday, April 26 at 7:30 a.m. ET. News, live scores, galleries and video highlights are available on the World Curling Federation Mixed Doubles Championship website.