Team GB’s curlers enjoyed mixed fortunes on day two of the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games while elsewhere the alpine skiing and ice hockey skills challenge got underway.
The curlers were looking to follow up last night’s impressive 9-2 victory over Korea but fell just short against a strong Canadian outfit and went down 4-2 having been level going into the eighth and final end.
However, the quartet of Ross Whyte, Amy Bryce, Callum Kinnear and Mili Smith were quick to return to winning ways and did so in style, seeing off Brazil 21-0 earlier on this evening.
“We made our shots against Brazil and played much better as a team,” said Bryce.
“It was important to win after the Canada game to help our chances to get through to the knock-outs. We’ve got Norway and Sweden tomorrow. It’ll be a tough day and want to come away with two wins. Concentration is the key”
Kinnear added: “We played well against Canada and it was a good game so we’ll hope to get them next time. Overall performance was good but obviously there are areas we can brush up on going forward.
“Everyone here is high quality so we need to be at our best every game to make the quarter-finals, which is our aim.”
Over at the Hafjell Olympic Slope, Team GB’s alpine skiers Yasmin Cooper and Iain Innes had their first taste of Youth Olympic competition in the Super-G event.
Cooper pushed hard but missed a gate and failed to finish her first run, while Innes fared much better - finishing in 32nd - and the 17-year-old from Edinburgh was delighted with the result.
“I thought it went really well today. I made a bit of a mistake coming into the finish and probably lost a second or so but overall really happy,” said Innes.
“We have another Super-G run tomorrow in the combined event so now I know the course I can push a bit harder and let the skis run a bit more.
“I’m really looking forward to the slalom later on in the Games. It’s fast conditions so if I can ski a couple of good runs I’ll be looking to get a PB.
“I’ve been on British teams before but being part of the real Team GB with the Olympic rings on the kit is amazing - I’m loving it.”
Verity Lewis completed the Team GB action on day two as she was out on the ice for the first qualification round of the ice hockey skills challenge.
Athletes compete head-to-head in six skills and are awarded points based on progress through the knock-out rounds of each skill.
Despite notching a personal best of 21.53 in the opening round of the fastest lap, Lewis didn’t progress any further – losing to eventual finalist Su Yeon Eom of South Korea at the last 16 stage.
The second skill saw the competitors take on shooting accuracy and the 15-year-old from Berkshire won her opening round following a marathon sudden death shoot-out with Romania’s Diana-Alexandra Iuga.
Lewis eventually fell at the quarter-final phase to Italy’s Anita Muraro to sit in eighth place overnight and was delighted to finally get the chance to compete at the Youth Olympic Games.
“I felt really proud to wear the jersey at the start. When I first came out it dawned on me that it was really happening,” said Lewis.
“I was just staring at the target on each shot during the shoot-out, just hoping that the puck would go in. I was getting so close each time so was relieved to finally score and win.
“I’m feeling good about tomorrow and not too nervous. I’m hoping for a PB in the fastest shot but we’ve also got agility and puck control which are my best events.”
Day 2 at Lillehammer 2016
Alpine Skiing Alpine Combined, 09:20-14:10 GMT; Yasmin Cooper, Iain Innes
Curling Mixed Team GBR vs NOR, 11:30 GMT; Ross Whyte, Mili Smith, Callum Kinnear, Amy Bryce Mixed Team GBR vs SWE, 18:30 GMT; Ross Whyte, Mili Smith, Callum Kinnear, Amy Bryce
Freestyle Skiing Ladies' Halfpipe, 12:10-13:10 GMT; Madi Rowlands
Ice Hockey Skills Challenge Qualification 2, 12:00 GMT; Verity Lewis
Luge Men’s Singles, 09:00-11:00; Lucas Gebauer-Barrett
- Ends -
Notes to editors
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