Lopsided wins launch Canada nearer to lead

GENEVA — Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant of Canada improved to 5-1 at the world mixed curling championship with a pair of lopsided wins.

Canada opened with a 10-1 rout of Hungary in Tuesday's early draw at the Sous-Moulin Sports Centre, then finished the day with a 10-4 win over the Czechia.

The wins moved Canada into second place in Group B, just behind undefeated Scotland (6-0).

Winnipeg's Peterman and Gallant, of St. John's, N.L., opened an early 70 lead over Hungary's Ildiko Szekeres and Gyorgy Nagy with two points in the first end, followed by steals of one in the second and three in the third.

The Canadians' second match had a similar start. Peterman and Gallant scored two in the first end, then blew the game open early with steals of three in the second end and one in the third.

The U.S. (4-2) suffered a pair of losses Tuesday to fall to third in Group B. The Czechs and Hungary fell to 3-3, followed by England and Germany (2-3).

Olympic champion Italy led Group A at 5-1, followed by Japan, Switzerland, Sweden and Norway at 4-2. Canada has one match today against England.

Round-robin play continues through Thursday. The top three teams from each 10-team group will advance to the playoffs.

The world senior curling championships are running concurrently at the same venue.

Alberta's Wade White was in a tie with the United States atop Group A of the men's competition at 4-0 after posting a 14-0 win over Turkey on Tuesday.

Saskatchewan's Sherry Anderson beat Sweden 8-4 to improve to 3-1, good for second in Group A behind Scotland (4-0) in the women’s draw.