American Women Defeat Britain to Remain Alive

Skip Kari Erickson made two difficult shots late as the American women curlers stayed in contention for a medal by beating Britain, 6-5, Sunday in extra ends.

Trailing, 5-3, in the last end, or inning, Erickson knocked out a British stone and made hers stick inside the scoring circle near another U.S. stone. That gave the U.S. team two points and a 5-5 tie at the end of regulation.

In the 11th, Erickson again made a shot that gently bumped the British stone and put herself in scoring position.

“We don’t give up. We are tough until the end,” Erickson said. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more after I threw that shot.”

The win gives the United States a 5-3 record with one game remaining. Britain is also 5-3. Canada has clinched a semifinal spot at 8-0 and Switzerland is in second place at 5-2.

In other games, Japan beat Russia, 7-6, and Norway beat Denmark, 9-4.

The United States meets Norway (4-4) today.

“Tomorrow’s game is as big as this one. We just have to take a deep breath and start over,” Debbie McCormick said.

Meanwhile, the U.S. men were beaten by Finland, 6-4. The U.S. (3-5) is out of medal contention.

“Everyone was playing well against us. We just got outshot,” U.S. skip Tim Somerville said. “We were playing tough but not good enough.”

In other men’s games, Britain beat France, 7-3, Canada beat Norway, 9-4, Sweden clinched a semifinal berth with a 5-4 win over Germany and Switzerland beat France, 7-3.