Homan’s rink locks up playoff spot
RIGA, LATVIA— A mediocre start nearly derailed Rachel Homan’s rink at the world women’s curling championship.
The Canadian team stuck together early on as they battled nerves, a tough field and challenging conditions at the Volvo Sports Center. The result is a solid third-place finish in the round-robin standings and a four-game winning streak heading into the playoffs. “They’re all feeling very comfortable, calm, focused and confident,” said Canadian coach Earle Morris. “Those are the kind of feelings you hope your team has when you’re going into the playoffs.”
Entering play Thursday, Homan controlled her own playoff destiny but was still flirting with the cutline. She beat China’s Bingyu Wang 7-4 in the morning and later locked up the third seed with an 8-4 win over Japan’s Satsuki Fujisawa.
Canada’s opponent will be determined Thursday night or in a tie- breaker Friday. The United States, Russia and Switzerland were still in contention for the final playoff spot entering the last round-robin draw. Homan and teammates Emma Miskew, Alison Kreviazuk and Lisa Weagle have been steady all week. Most games have been tight, but the Canadians have shone in pressure situations. “The good news about having close games all the time is you’re constantly playing pressure shots,” Morris said. “That bodes well because come playoff time, you’re used to the pressure and it means you’ll make the tough ones in the playoffs as well.” Scotland and Sweden finished 10-1 and will meet in the playoffs. The medal games are set for Sunday. The playoff draw will be tough with both 2012 silver medallist Margaretha Sigfridsson of Sweden and four-time world junior champ Eve Muirhead of Scotland in top form. Homan’s Ottawa rink is playing at the tournament for the first time. She said her teammates were determined to turn things around after a slow start. “We’ve had so much experience beating the top teams that we knew we had the ability,” she said