China defeats Switzerland in mixed doubles curling for 1st Beijing 2022 victory

Beijing 2022 is officially underway.

Host country China, Great Britain, the United States and Czech Republic claimed victories as the first mixed doubles curling round robin matches kicked off on Wednesday night local time, early morning ET at the National Aquatics Centre in Beijing.

China started their Olympic home campaign with a 7-6 extra end victory over Pyeongchang 2018 silver medallists Switzerland.

Ling Zhi and Fan Suyuan of China only found themselves behind the Swiss duo of Martin Rios and Jenny Perret after the sixth end, after a three-point powerplay effort by Switzerland that propelled them to a 5-4 advantage.

The home duo got a 6-5 lead back in the following end with a powerplay of their own. Switzerland still managed to tie the match in the eight but China saw out the win in an extra end.

2021 world mixed doubles curling champions Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat of Great Britain defeated the Swedish duo of Oskar Eriksson and Almida De Val 9-5 as both nations debuted in the mixed discipline.

Sweden missed a clear shot to tie the game with their last rock, allowing Great Britain to take a point and the win.

Eriksson and De Val had a 5-4 lead after the fifth end but went scoreless in the final three periods, including a powerplay effort on the seventh.

"We expect them to make shots but we were a bit fortunate that went our way. We will learn from that," said Mouat about the final play of the match. "We just need to build on that momentum now."

In other results, Czech Republic (Paul Thomas and Zuzana Paulova) won its first ever Olympic curling game by stealing a point in an extra end to down Norway (Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten) 6-5.

Australia, who is also debuting in the sport in this Games, had to endure a different outcome.

The Aussies (Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt) were edged by the U.S. (Vicky Persinger and Christopher Plys) 6-5. Australia blew a 5-3 lead established after a 3-point, powerplay-boosted sixth end. 

"It was such a battle out there," said Australia's Hewitt. "We took it down to the last rock as we wanted to do. It just didn't pay off."

From Water Cube to Ice Cube

The Beijing 2022 curling events are held in the same venue legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps won eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The "Ice Cube", rebranded from its previous "Water Cube" designation after the addition of a curling rink, only saw a few hundred take the stands in the 3,759-capacity venue, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"It's nice that you can see the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics in the same building, that's really cool," said Britain's Dodds.

"I remember watching the swimming at this venue in 2008 so it means a lot to be finally here and hope we can keep things going," added Mouat, Dodds' teammate. 

Canada to face Great Britain

Mixed curling was introduced in Pyeongchang 2018, with Winnipeg's Kaitlyn Lawes and Ottawa's John Morris leading Canada to a historic inaugural gold medal.

Morris is now teaming up with Rachel Homan, who is also from Ottawa.

The Maple Leaf duo is set to take the rink on 8 p.m. ET to face Great Britain. Morris and Homan will then play 2018 bronze medallists Norway on Thursday at 7 a.m. ET.

The discipline saw two more teams added in Beijing 2022, going from eight to ten nations.

The games formally open on Friday. The opening ceremony event will be broadcast live on CBC-TV and CBC News Network, beginning with the pre-show at 6:30 a.m. ET. Full coverage will be streamed on CBC Gem and the CBC Olympic website.

THAT CURLING SHOW | Morris, Homan to represent Canada in mixed doubles:

Homan and Morris' Olympic appointment is 'what every curler dreams of'

3 years ago

Duration 12:38

Rachel Homan and John Morris join That Curling Show fresh off the news they have been chosen to represent Canada in mixed doubles curling at the Beijing Olympics.