GANGNEUNG, Korea (WCF)– Sweden’s Anette Norberg ended Canada’s unbeaten run at the 2009 Mount Titlis World Women’s Curling Championship, defeating defending champion skip Jennifer Jones by a 7-4 scoreline.
Sweden’s two-time champions have blown hot and cold this week, and Tuesday was a clear indication. In the afternoon, Norberg was punted 10-1 by a three-player German squad. In the evening, she regrouped and put in a solid effort to topple the pre-tournament favourite.
“Something like that,” said Norberg, when asked if her day felt as wild as it looked.
“I don’t know what happened (earlier). Germany played great and when I was going to (throw) there was nothing to do. I was shut out.
“Tonight we played much, much better.”
Canada led 2-1 when the teams proceeded to swap singles through the seventh end. In the eighth, Jones was heavy on a draw against two and Sweden stole a pair, which proved to be the turning point.
The Canadians dropped another steal in the 10th end while going all-out for offense.
In other games, Russia dumped Scotland 6-4, the United States hammered Korea 9-2 and China thrashed Italy 9-3.
The standings show Canada, China and Denmark at 6-1, Sweden at 5-2 and Scotland and Switzerland at 4-3.
Below .500 are Germany and the United States (3-4), Korea (2-5), Italy (1-6) and Norway (0-7).
The Mount Titlis Worlds mark the first adult worlds ever hosted in Korea. The city of Jeonju previously hosted the 2006 World Juniors. The Championship is also the final qualifying event for women’s curling at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.