On This Day in Olympic Curling History: Feb 20

BEIJING 2022

Eve Muirhead, representing Great Britain, completed a remarkable one-year transformation to win Olympic gold, defeating Japan’s Satsuki Fujisawa 10-3 at the Ice Cube.

The victory, which concluded the Games, came nearly 20 years to the day after Rhona Martin’s surprise gold at Salt Lake City 2002.

The GBR women were in danger of missing the Olympics entirely when British Curling coaches reassigned a new, young team under Muirhead’s leadership.

The new lineup clicked, eventually qualified for Beijing, struggled early at the competition but then began scoring the critical wins, including a wild 12-11 affair in the semifinals. 

Less than two months later, Muirhead captured the world mixed doubles championship to cap one of the greatest curling seasons of all time.

Over the following months, Muirhead and two of her teammates retired from competition – and the successful author now leads Team GB as chef de mission at Milano-Cortina.

SOCHI 2014

Gold and bronze medals were awarded in women’s competition at the Ice Cube.

Bronze went to Great Britain’s Eve Muirhead, 6-5 winners over Switzerland’s Mirjim Ott. It marked the first Olympic medal for Muirhead and the second straight fourth-place finish for the Swiss, who had previously won Olympic silver at both Torino 2006 and Salt Lake City 2002.

Some eight hours later, Canada’s Jennifer Jones rejoiced after a 6-3 golden triumph over Sweden’s Margaretha Sigfridsson. 

As described by Mike McEwen in end-by-end fashion for The Curling News, the Jones crew missed a draw for two in the eighth end to lead 4-3, but then stole two in the ninth – the killer blow.

The men’s medal games would conclude the competition on Feb. 21.

TORINO 2006

Canada’s Russ Howard/Brad Gushue squad defeated Pete Fenson’s USA 6-3 to finish the round robin at 6-3, setting up a USA rematch in the semifinals.

As our on-site correspondent noted, both of Canada’s alternates were required, with men’s lead Jamie Korab and women’s third Amy Nixon the latest to struggle against whatever bugs were circulating the venue.

The Canadian women finished their round robin with a taut win over Denmark, advancing them into a playoff tussle with Switzerland’s Mirjam Ott, while the other semi would feature Sweden’s Anette Norberg up against Norway’s Dordi Nordby.

SALT LAKE 2002

In the women’s semifinals at Ogden’s Ice Sheet, hosts USA (Kari Erickson) fell 9-4 to Switzerland (Luzi Ebnoether) in one game, while Great Britain’s Rhona Martin, fresh off two tiebreaker wins, scored yet another victory in the other semi. 

This one registered as 6-5 over mighty Canada, the Kelley Law team – which had been promised a million bucks from a hotel chain if they won a gold medal.

“We’re probably a little bit in shock,” said Law, whose team led the way at 8-1 in the round robin.

In men’s semifinal competition, Canada’s Kevin Martin jumped into a quick 3-0 lead against Sweden’s Peja Lindholm and held it for a 6-4 win, while Norway’s Pal Trulsen stole a win over Switzerland’s Andi Schwaller 7-6 – there were two steals, actually, in the 10th and 11th ends.

“I wasn’t very nervous,” said Martin. “I just go out and play, just try to play the best I can.”

“We have to gather ourselves as quickly as possible and get back to work... with the same attitude and atmosphere in the team,” said Schwaller.