Both Canadian Rinks Fall At World Juniors Curling

15/03/2009 20:01

VANCOUVER - Turnabout was fair play for Denmark's Rasmus Stjerne as he used a steal of three in the eighth to defeat Canada's Brett Gallant 9-6 on Sunday and win the men's gold medal at the world junior curling championships.

With Denmark leading 6-4, Gallant was forced to draw against five Danish rocks. His last shot was heavy, sliding to the back of the 12-foot.

The play was sort of deja vu. Stjerne lost a tough game to Gallant in Saturday's 1-versus-2 Page playoff game when the Danish skip gave up a steal of six in the sixth end to lose 11-5 in eight ends.

There also was anguish for Canada in the women's final when Winnipeg's Kaitlyn Lawes missed her final shot, allowing Scotland's Eve Muirhead to steal a point for an 8-6 victory.

It was Muirhead's third consecutive world junior gold medal and second as a skip.

Switzerland defeated Russia 5-4 to win the women's bronze medal. American Chris Plys, last year's champion, defeated Sweden's Oskar Eriksson 9-4 in eight ends to win the men's bronze.

Canadian men had won nine of the previous 11 world junior championships.

The win was Denmark's first-ever gold at the world juniors. The Danish men won silver in 2001.

Two Danish steals put Canada behind 4-2 after five ends.

In the fourth, with the score tied 2-2, Gallant wanted to hit and roll out to blank the end. Instead his final rock was wide, giving Stjerne the point. In the fifth, Gallant was heavy on an attempted tap-back, giving Denmark another point.

Canada climbed back into a tie when Gallant made a takeout to score two in the sixth.

This was the first world junior appearance for Gallant and his rink of third Adam Casey, second Anson Carmody and lead Jamie Danbrook. Gallant had played in five Canadian championships, finishing third last year and losing the 2007 final.

Stjerne's best finish in his previous five world juniors was a fourth. Also on his rink was third Mikkel Krause, second Oliver Dupont and lead Troels Harry.

The 2,000-seat Vancouver Olympic Centre, the venue which will be used for curling during next winter's 2010 Games, was about half full for the men's final. Canadian flags waved and a pro-Canada crowd stomped and cheered for each of Gallant's shots.

A much smaller crowd watched the women's final.

More from Canadian Press.

SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:

Congratulations to Canada’s Teams Kaitlyn Lawes and Brett Gallant. Worlds' silver medals are certainly nothing to be ashamed of.