[ritchiebaby]

There's been a slight reshuffle at the top of the leader board after Session 17. Scotland and USA had a hard-fought game, with the Scots never behind until the 9th end where they lost 3 shots, but recovered to force an extra end with 2 shots. With last stone advantage, USA held all the aces and won the game 10-9.

Not only that, but Italy demolished Norway 10-3, scoring 5 shots in the 5th end. And not only that, but USA had earlier beaten Norway 6-5 after an extra end.

As things stand now, RCF and Sweden have 8 wins out of 10 and should gain at least a play-off place. Canada, Norway, Scotland and USA have 7 wins out of 10, followed by Italy and Switzerland on 5 wins.

Wins on the board are very important right now, because over the next couple of days, RCF play Norway and Scotland, Canada play Sweden and Norway. USA should qualify comfortably as their final games are against 3 of the bottom 5 teams. Italy's final 2 games are against bottom 5 teams, as are Switzerland's who still have to play 4 of the bottom 5, so neither can be discounted. Squeaky bottom time coming up!

[ritchiebaby]

Scotland took control against Italy right from the start and built up a commanding lead, eventually winning 7-2. In a very rare event, skip Bruce Mouat scored 100% success - every shot did exactly what was required. Normally it's leads and seconds that reach 100%, as they play a simpler style of shot.

It's still very tight at the top and still involves the same eight teams, but overall the Scots are in a better position than they were last night. The danger teams waiting on any slip-up, Italy and Switzerland, were both beaten. In an amazing turnaround, Sweden beat Canada, despite being 2-6 down with three ends to go and 5-7 down with one end to go.

The latest standings see Sweden at the top with 9 wins and are guaranteed a top 6 finish. RCF and Scotland are second with 8 wins and one of them will definitely qualify. On 7 wins are Canada, Norway and USA, followed by Italy and Switzerland on 5. Italy can only get 7 wins and Switzerland could reach 8.

There are a few "dog eat dog" games today with RCF v Norway, Scotland v RCF and Norway v Canada. Tomorrow's big game will be Scotland v Norway, where it's possible the loser will miss out, but that depends on Switzerland's progress. Many twists and turns to come yet.

[ritchiebaby]

It was obvious that Scotland wanted off the ice as quickly as possible during their game against RCF. They meekly conceded 2-9 to the Russians after only 6 ends and there must be serious doubts about their ability to recover form in time for their next game. After scoring 100% in the previous game, Bruce Mouat only managed 67%, probably one of the poorest percentages of anyone in the whole competition. Making that worse was the fact that the other 3 players had 90%, 88% and 90%.

RCF now head the table with 10 wins, also guaranteeing a top 6 finish and must be favourites for an automatic semi-final spot. Sweden play later and have 9 wins. Scotland stay on 8 wins, which will possibly be good enough to save them. USA now also have 8 wins after beating Denmark 8-3 after 7 ends. Canada and Norway both have 7 wins and play against each other later.

There is still a threat to some of these 6 teams from 3 teams, all with designs on a top 6 place. Switzerland are still the main threat, as they can finish with 8 wins. Italy can reach 7 wins and, after their defeat by Scotland Japan have won 3 consecutive games and can also make 7 wins. Either Canada or Norway will have 7 wins after tonight and have one more game to play.

[ritchiebaby]

Without doing anything (perhaps just as well) Scotland have qualified fo the last 6. The other 4 teams qualified so far are RCF, Sweden, (both on 10 wins), USA (on 9 wins) and Canada (on 8 wins alongside Scotland).

Norway and Switzerland are on 7 wins and both need to win their last game to take it to the wire. If not, Japan are sitting with 6 wins and could sneak in at the death.

Today's games for the battle for the remaining place are Scotland v Norway, Switzerland v China and Japan v Sweden.

[ritchiebaby]

The warnings about Switzerland proved correct, after Scotland defeated Norway 7-6. After 7 single-shot ends Scotland trailed by 2-5, then Bruce Mouat pounced to score 4 shots to gain the lead. Norway levelled in the 9th end, but Mouat again played a perfect draw with the last stone to clinch victory. Although he was the weakest player for Scotland, he played the big shots exceptionally well and that's what counts.

At the same time Switzerland beat China 9-4, also with the help of a 4, to overtake Norway, Only 8 ends were played in this game, so the Swiss had a nervous wait to see a Scotland win.

The 6 teams who have qualified for the final stages have also qualified for the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022, Scotland acting as GB. There are still games in progress, but the top three will still be the same teams, but perhaps in a different order. Two from RCF, Sweden and USA will go directly to the semi-finals tomorrow with the 3rd one playing Switzerland in one play-off game and Canada v Scotland in the other.

[ritchiebaby]

There have been two major happenings at these World Championships over the last few hours

Firstly Scotland beat Canada 5-3 to reach the semi-final stage, with Canada conceding while 4 shots against them and one stone left to play. Each of the Scottish players had percentages in the 90s and were obviously on the ball.

BUT and it's a big but, after the usual exit testing procedure, positive cases of Covid19 were discovered. Obviously no details of individuals were released, but as Canada v Scotland was the only game being played, it would suggest that the cases came from those teams/staff. In any case all play-off teams are being tested this morning to see if further cases are discovered and naturally all play is suspended meantime. Contact tracing of those positive cases is being undertaken and will include TV, catering and accommodation staff. Let's hope that this outbreak can be nipped in the bud.

For the record, USA are due to play Switzerland at 4pm UK time, but we'll just have to wait and see.

[Lord Snooty]

Oh heck!

[ritchiebaby]

Taken from WCF FB page

"UPDATE: We can confirm now that the remainder of today’s schedule of playoff games at the World Men’s Curling Championship have been postponed pending results of testing of athletes and officials.
Rescheduling options are being developed but will only be considered if athletes and officials can be kept safe under the current protocols."

Hopefully it will be able to be completed over the next 3 or 4 days, but be prepared for 10 day's delay or even cancellation of the event.

[ritchiebaby]

From WCF website late last night

"Four positive COVID-19 test results have been returned and the athletes, officials and other event staff are currently isolating in their hotel rooms pending the result of the testing.

The option to resume the championship on Sunday 11 April is being evaluated, with the possibility of three sessions of play used to complete the remaining play-off games. However, this will only be considered if athletes and officials can be kept safe under the current protocols."

The earliest play will be able to commence is 4pm UK time, so any delay to that will stretch into Monday morning at least.

[ritchiebaby]

A further, and hopefully final, update on the Covid outbreak from the WCF website. My apologies for the laziness of your correspondent, but they can tell the story much better than me.

"The championship was paused on Friday (9 April) night after three positive (and asymptomatic) tests involving teams not participating in the play-offs came to light.

A further fourth positive test involving an athlete from a play-off team was received on Saturday (10 April) morning.

All athletes, coaches and event officials deemed to be in close contact with athletes within the bubble, were tested on Saturday morning, with every test coming back negative.

Despite that negative result, the player who had previously tested positive — and had that result run through confirmatory testing to ensure it was a true positive — will not be able to participate in the remainder of the championship due to Alberta Health regulations.

Today’s schedule has been adapted to allow for the championship’s completion and will feature United States versus Switzerland in the 3v6 Qualification game at 11:00. That will be followed by the two semi-final games at 16:00, then finally both medal games will take place simultaneously at 21:00."

These times will translate into 6pm, 11pm and 4am UK time. Eurosport were due to broadcast the semi-finals and final, but that might all be changed.