Today, May 27, last matches of the Arctic Curling Cup 2018 were played.
Russians Maria Komarova/Daniil Goryachev and Czechs Zuzana Haikova/Tomas Paul played for the 3rd place. After 2 ends, the Russians led 4-0 and kept the game under control. The victory was taken by Maria and Daniil after seven ends with the score 8:3, the eighth end wasn’t played.
In the final, where the Canadian-Swedish duo Rachel Homan/Niklas Edin and Scots Gina Aitken / Duncan Menzies met, the fight was much more persistent. The beginning of the match was held in a cautious manner, both teams took "their" ends with a score of 1-0. In the third end, Rachel and Niklas won two rocks, but then the Scots responded with their end won 3-0. Then the Scots for the first time in the match managed to "steal" end with a score of 1-0 and got lead 5-3 after 5 ends. Probably the key in the match was the 6th end. In the first throw Duncan made a mistake. Experienced and titled rivals have not forgiven such young Scots. Edin and Homan without mistakes conducted this end and won three rocks. The Scots managed to take "their" end and equalized the score on the results of 7 ends (6-6). In the last end, the last throw was for Rachel Homan, the situation on the ice was not easy - two Scottish rocks were closer to the center, but Homan’s accurate throw managed to put his stone right in the center of the house, which brought a winning point in the match and the tournament only international pair – 7:6. Thus, the most "mixed" pair became the winner of this tournament of mixed doubles. Homan and Edin showed uneven play during the tournament, but in the end their individual class affected.
Immediately after the final, a colorful closing ceremony took place, during which all the participants of the tournament received memorable prizes, and the winners – cups and medals. The winners also received $ 10,000 in prize money, the second place brought the Scots $ 6,000, and Komarova and Goryachev received $ 4,000. The winners of the children's tournament, which ended right before the decisive match of the main Arctic Cup, were also awarded.
Arctic Curing Cup 2018, held with the support of the company "Nornickel", was interesting both in terms of the game and the cultural program. And the attendance and active support of fans at the Taimyr arena was noted even by the athletes who participated in many Olympic games and World Championships.
We congratulate the winners and prize-winners and look forward to the guests for the next year!
Last day results
Semifinal. Scotland (Aitken/Menzies) – Russia 2 (Komarova/Goryachev) – 7:6
Semifinal. Canada /Sweden (Homan / Edin) – Czech Republic (Haykova / Paul) – 11:7
3rd place match. Russia 2 – Czech Republic – 8:3
Final. Canada/Sweden – Scotland – 7:6