dpa
Beijing
Hosts China had a winning start into Olympic curling at the Beijing Games two days ahead of their official opening, edging Switzerland 7-6 after an extra end.
Ling Zhi and Fang Zu Yuan blew an early 3-0 lead in the mixed team duel against Jenny Perret and Martin Rios. The Swiss 2018 silver medallists forced the extra end at the death to tie at 6-6, but eventually had to concede.
A small number of cheering spectators was present at the Ice Cube venue, formerly known as the Water Cube where Olympic swimming and diving took place at the 2008 Summer Games and American Michael Phelps won eight gold medals.
In other early action, Britain beat Sweden 9-5, the United States edged Olympic curling debutants Australia 6-5, and the Czech Republic beat 2018 bronze medallists Norway 7-6 in an extra end.
The February 4-20 Olympics are held under strict coronavirus rules with all participants living in a bubble without any contact with the Chinese public.
The opening ceremony is just across from the Ice Cube in Beijing’s National Stadium, the Bird’s Nest, on Friday. The first medal events are Saturday.
Beijing
Hosts China had a winning start into Olympic curling at the Beijing Games two days ahead of their official opening, edging Switzerland 7-6 after an extra end.
Ling Zhi and Fang Zu Yuan blew an early 3-0 lead in the mixed team duel against Jenny Perret and Martin Rios. The Swiss 2018 silver medallists forced the extra end at the death to tie at 6-6, but eventually had to concede.
A small number of cheering spectators was present at the Ice Cube venue, formerly known as the Water Cube where Olympic swimming and diving took place at the 2008 Summer Games and American Michael Phelps won eight gold medals.
In other early action, Britain beat Sweden 9-5, the United States edged Olympic curling debutants Australia 6-5, and the Czech Republic beat 2018 bronze medallists Norway 7-6 in an extra end.
The February 4-20 Olympics are held under strict coronavirus rules with all participants living in a bubble without any contact with the Chinese public.
The opening ceremony is just across from the Ice Cube in Beijing’s National Stadium, the Bird’s Nest, on Friday. The first medal events are Saturday.