[BBB]

Not quite, SCO, but you're on the right track. If things are going well for each player, it's unusual for anyone except the last player to score a point (us oldies call them shots, but it's more and more common to call them points). The trick is to try to engineer a situation where the opposition team is forced into playing shots that are more difficult.

Each shot played can be given up to 4 points for accuracy and the resultant position. 0 is a complete miss and 4 is exactly what was requested by the skip. Sara obviously did what was required for all of her shots. Over a possible 10 ends at 2 stones per end she would have scored 80 points. None of this matters as far as deciding games is concerned, but is a good indication of each player's form as well as the overall team performance.

Of course, when I tried to access the website to give an example of what I mean, I couldn't get on!

That makes sense.  Essentially as you say its a record of the accuracy of the individual players and how they are performing irrespective of the team result.

Is there a prize for this feat?

[ritchiebaby]

In today's 1 v 2 game, Switzerland were never behind in defeating Canada 6-4 to qualify for the Gold Medal game tomorrow.

Afterwards, a delighted Alina Paetz, the Swiss skip, said: "I really don’t know what to say, it’s crazy. It was always the dream to be there (in the final) and now we’re there. I missed some key shots that made me more nervous, but we won it so it didn’t matter."

Meanwhile, losing Canada skip Jennifer Jones said: "We just couldn't get our draws in the right spot and that's something we're going to have to sort out. We'll need to come out a bit sharper and hopefully we'll have an opportunity tomorrow.”

Canada did come out a bit sharper in the Semi-final game against Russia amd raced into an early lead they never relinquished and ran out 7-4 winners. The Canadians now play Switzerland for the Gold and Silver Medals, with Russia playing Scotland for the Bronze Medal.

Speaking about their performance, Jones said: “I thought it was good. We wanted to come out and play well and I thought we had a good game from start to finish." Looking forward to their third encounter with Switzerland, having lost both previous games, she added: "We’ll try one more time and hope that the third time’s the one against Switzerland."

Meanwhile, disappointed Russia skip Anna Sidorova said: "I'm upset, but mostly because we didn't play that well. We made a few mistakes and that's what made the difference."

Percentages
Just to show the anomaly of percentages, Sweden are not only second in the team table, they have the second best lead player, the best second player, the second best third player and the fifth best skip. But at the business end of the game, the four best skips are from the four qualifiers. Switzerland's lead and second players were 7th and 8th respectively, but they finished first in the round robin games, whereas Sweden finished seventh.

It's the same in curling as in many other team sports, it's not necessarily the best individual players that win games. Game management and tactics also play an important part.

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Sorry, BBB, I've just noticed your post. Unfortunately there is no prize, just the feel-good factor. There is generally a prize for the player who best displays the true spirit of the game (sportsmanship, friendship, integrity, etc) and that is voted for by all the players.

[ritchiebaby]

Definitely not a good weekend for my teams - Huddersfield Town and Scotland comprehensively beaten on Saturday, Scotland's curlers overpowered by Russia and now Hibs lost this afternoon. Welcome to my world!

BRONZE MEDAL GAME
I don't know what the Russians "put in"   the Scots girls' porridge at breakfast, but the Scots got off to very sluggish start, with Russia taking a 5 at the first end. A complete miss from Eve Muirhead in the 5th end allowed Russia to steal a 3 and cruise into a 10-1 lead. After that it was just a matter of playing out the required number of ends with Russia claiming a 13-4 victory.

Quotes
After the game, a pleased Russia skip Anna Sidorova said: "I’m so happy, it's absolutely amazing. It’s been a very tough week for us. It could have been better, but it’s still a medal. It's only the second one for Russia at the Worlds and I’m really proud of my team. I’m impressed by this performance today. I feel last year we stole the bronze medal but this year we deserved it."
Meanwhile, Scotland skip Eve Muirhead said: "It's just not been our week. We haven't been consistent enough. The world championship is the competition that you build your season round and unfortunately this year it just wasn't to be."

GOLD MEDAL GAME
This was a much more competitive game, with Switzerland in total control of the first half of the game. Canada's final stone in the 6th end was too strong and allowed the Swiss to score 2 for a 4-0 lead. A recovery from Canada saw them going into the last end only 1 down and they were lying 3 stones near the centre with the last stone to come. A perfect draw from Alina Paetz scored a single shot for a 5-3 win to retain the World crown for Switzerland.

Quotes
After her win, Paetz said: "This is our first time here and it's just amazing. It's a really, really great feeling. It's just awesome, I don't know what to say...so good." She added: "I think both teams were nervous at the start of the game because both skips struggled a bit, but my team played great and it was easy for me at the end, that was the key".

Asked about Switzerland's ability to produce world title-winning teams following back to back world women’s championship wins, she said: "I don't think there is any secret ingredient. I think we have a lot of good teams in Switzerland and that helps all the other teams to become better." Thinking about reaction back home she added: "I don't think my family and friends back home will believe it, like me.”

After the game Canadian skip Jennifer Jones said: "We made a good game of it and she made a great shot to win the world title. We pushed them all the way, I wish we could start the game again, but that's the way it goes. We left it all on the ice and we can't ask any more than that. We're proud of our performance."

Individual Prize
Sanna Puustinen, skip of Finland, won the Frances Brodie Award, voted for by all the players to recognise the player they think best exemplified curling's values and sportsmanship throughout the event.

Winners Photos

Gold Medal - Switzerland - Alina Paetz, Nadine Lehmann, Marisa Winkelhausen, Nicole Schwaegli


Silver Medal - Canada - Jennifer Jones, Kaitlyn Lawes, Jill Officer, Dawn McEwen, Jennifer Clark-Rouire


Bronze Medal - Russia - Anna Sidorova, Margaret Fomina, Alexandra Saitova, Eketerina Galkina, Nkeiruka Ezekh


Frances Brodie Award - Sanna Puustinen, Finland receiving her award from Ray Kells