By Hritika Sharma
BEIJING (Reuters) – Jennifer Jones and Canada got back on track with a crucial win over the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in the women’s curling event at the Beijing Games, while Japan breezed past hosts China and the United States edged South Korea on Monday.
With their backs to the wall after losing three straight round-robin games, Canada won 11-5 with a dominant display against the ROC at the National Aquatics Centre.
“One million percent we needed to win that game. That was a massive win,” Jones said.
“I’ve won things from trailing and when you know you’ve been a front runner, you can do it any way, but you need to get on a roll at these events. Maybe this is the start of a roll for us.”
Japan maintained their second-placed standing behind Switzerland in the round-robin table, controlling their contest against hosts China from the start and led 7-1 at the halfway stage before cruising to a 10-2 win.
The U.S. stole three points in the sixth end and fought off South Korea’s comeback attempts to earn an 8-6 win and move into third place in the standings.
In the men’s competition, Denmark were pushed all the way to an extra end by Norway but finally claimed their first win after skip Mikkel Krause delivered the crucial final point to seal a 6-5 victory in their sixth round-robin game.
Brad Gushue led Canada to a 7-3 win over Italy to strengthen their push for the playoffs, with the team now sitting in third place behind Britain and leaders Sweden.
It was the second Olympic contest between Gushue and Italy skip Joel Retornaz, who steered his team to an upset 7-6 win over the Canadians on home ice at the Turin Games in 2006.
Sweden beat ROC 7-5 to stay unbeaten ahead of taking on Denmark and then Britain, who scored a 6-5 win over Switzerland, when the round-robin stage continues on Tuesday.
Teams play nine matches in the preliminary round with the top four reaching the semi-finals.
(Reporting by Hritika Sharma; Editing by Robert Birsel and Ken Ferris)
