Team GB in Beijing: Muirhead marshals mammoth victory over USA to bite back on Day 8

Beijing 2022 12 Feb 22

Team Muirhead hit back with an imperious 10-5 triumph over Team USA, fetching a much-needed second win in the women’s round robin.

The curling quartet fought back from yesterday’s loss to South Korea by showcasing their sparkling best against USA, who were undefeated in the round robin before meeting Team GB.

Here’s what happened on Day 8:

- Team Muirhead battle back with triumphant win over USA

- Bankes and Nightingale take sixth in maiden mixed team snowboard cross

- Kersten cranks up after fastest 500m start

- Fear and Gibson dance into top ten

- Deas and Crowley conclude skeleton action at the Games

Momentum is key for Muirhead as women’s rink sweep USA aside Skip Eve Muirhead made the most of Team GB’s session break, as her rested and refocused rink outclassed USA.

Team GB stormed to a 4-0 lead after two ends and managed every comeback attempt from USA, leaving yesterday’s disappointing defeat to Korea in their wake.

With the prospect of Denmark next at 6.05am tomorrow, Muirhead is eager to build momentum and kick on from the imperious performance at the Ice Cube today.

Read more about Team Muirhead here

Bankes and Nightingale entertain in thrilling board cross team debut

Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale showcased their potential as a double act in the Olympic mixed team board cross debut, making the small final to finish sixth overall.

The event required the men to race first, each endeavouring to finish with the best time possible, before passing their time over to the women.

Bankes, who suffered an unfortunate quarter-final exit in the individual event on Wednesday, enjoyed playing catch up in the opening race, riding from fourth to first to seal a semi-final.

The pair, who had never boarded before Beijing, looked natural team-mates as they continued to race well in the semi-final and small final, ultimately finishing in sixth place.

Read more about the snowboard cross here

Kersten fuelled by fastest start to 500m skate

Team GB men’s long-track star Cornelius Kersten recorded his fastest opening sector in the men’s 500m, despite finishing in 25th overall in the final standings.

The 27-year-old finished 1.04 seconds behind China’s gold medal winner and new Olympic record holder Tinya Gao, after beginning his Beijing journey with a 19th place finish in the 1500m on Tuesday.

However, a speedy start to the short format has encouraged Kersten ahead of his favoured 1000m event on Friday, which will mark the final bow of his debut Olympics.

Eyeing up a strong end to the Games, Kersten plans to make some final adjustments in training and listen to Adele in relaxation.

Read more about Team GB’s speed skating here

Fear and Gibson take tenth in rhythm routine

Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson impressed with grace and sincerity as their rhythm dance scored tenth in the figure skating standings.

The ice dancing duo executed their routine to a medley of songs by Kiss and will skate again to The Lion King in Monday’s free dance.

Other figure skaters may have performed romantic routines, but Fear and Gibson wanted their dance to show off acceptance and friendship – the key components making up their relationship.

The two danced to The Lion King before at the European Championships and were close to claiming a medal, until an unfortunate error dropped them to fifth.

Read more about the figure skating here

Deas slides up to 19th on final day of skeleton

Laura Deas and Brogan Crowley brought an end to Team GB's skeleton action in Beijing, finishing 19th and 22nd respectively.

PyeongChang bronze medallist Deas put in a clean third heat run to climb inside the top 20, but Crowley failed to improve on 22nd and bowed out before the fourth heat.

Deas saved the best until last during her fourth run and crossed the line 19th fastest overall.

Day 9: Muirhead and Mouat both take on Denmark as freestyle skiers prepare to show Sunday best

Kirsty Muir and Katie Summerhayes return to the snow in the women’s freeski slopestyle qualification, after Muir’s impressive fifth place finish in the big air.

Summerhayes narrowly missed out on the big air final by one place and will be gunning to better her performance in the slopestyle at 2am.

Whilst the big air required skiers to produce one amazing and challenging move, slopestyle freestylers need to produce a longer run of tricks through multiple jumps – which could suit the British pair.

Meanwhile, the Ice Cube hosts a Team GB vs. Denmark double-header tomorrow morning, as both Team Mouat and Team Muirhead face the Danes on the ice.

Mouat’s rink start the day with a match against China at 1.05am, having confidently beaten Team Norway 8-3 in their third session.

At 6.05am, Team Muirhead return to action against Denmark having bounced back with a dominant 10-5 win over USA today, before the men take on the Danish men’s side at 12.05pm.