Canada men and women unbeaten in curling

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-19 15:58

VANCOUVER: Hot favourite Canada, nicknamed the Kingdom of World Curling, met little difficulties of topping the men's and women's standings after three days curling competition at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games on Thursday.

Canada men and women unbeaten in curling

Canada's skip Kevin Martin delivers the stone during their men's round robin curling game against France at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics February 18, 2010. [Agencies]

Skipped by world top male curler Kevin Martin of Edmonton, Canadian foursome overwhelmed Sweden 7-3 in the morning and continued their winning streak by trouncing France 12-5 in the evening.

China, making their debut in the Olympics, missed the day's biggest victory when they were beaten by five-time world champion Sweden with a score of 6-5.

The young Chinese rink never gave up the lead until the score tied at 8-8 after eighth end. Sweden stole one point from the ninth end on a mistake made by China's fourth curler.

With the victory, the Swedish foursome climbed to the second place in the standings. They were shared by three other teams with three wins and one loss.

Martin's rink topped the standings with four straight victories against no loss. They are followed by Sweden, Norway and Switzerland, all three with an identical records of three wins against one loss.

In the women's session, host Canada, skipped by Olympic rookie Cheryl Bernard, clinched their third win by defeating Germany 6-5.

With three wins and no loss, the Canadian women are accompanied by defending champions Sweden in the women's standings.

World champions China, not in their best form nowadays, toppled Japan 9-5 and are in third position with two victories and one loss, joined together by Britain and Germany.