Switzerland wins double at Qinghai International Curling Elite

XINING, China, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland won both the men's and women's titles as its men curlers beat host China 11-5 and its women compatriots downed Russia 6-5 in the respective finals at the Qinghai International Curling Elite here on Thursday.

During the final in the afternoon, the Swiss men got a flying start in the first end 2-0, extended their lead to 7-2 before China cut it to 7-5 with 2 points in the 7th end and one point stolen in the eight end.

In the ninth end, the hosts were pushed by every following stone and had to concede their defeat after Switzerland took four points from the end.

Scotland beat Norway 8-5 to take the bronze medal in the nine-team men's field.

In the women's final, both Russia and Switzerland played to their best as both sides tied 5-all after the ninth end. In the decisive 10th end, Russia had the last stone but skip Viktoriia Moiseeva failed to make it into the house, and lost the final to Switzerland.

The bronze medal match turned out to be an all-Chinese affair and Team China beat Chinese Junior 8-5 for their podium finish.

Started from Dec. 15, the Qinghai International Curling Elite, at Duoba National Highland Sports Training Base, has attracted 18 teams from nine countries and regions, namely Canada, Italy, Norway, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, and the host China. Enditem