Japan win Curling World Cup by finest of margins

Korea lead 6-5 going to into the final end of the match but the Japanese quartet of Yurika Yoshida, Yumi Suzuki, Chinami Yoshida, Satsuki Fujisawa did just enough to turn things around on the very last stone.

Korea's Team Minji Kim had the hammer going into the last end at the Ralston Arena, but were left with a tricky draw with the very last shot, with Japan lying three.

The win meant Team Fujisawa avenged their loss to the same opponents in the recent Pacific-Asia Curling Championships final, in which they blew a big lead in the last two ends.

"I'm just so happy. We didn't win any championship so I'm very excited”, said Fujisawa.

“We have great sweepers and good team-mates and we had a really good game. We are very happy that we now get to play in Beijing."

In the earlier session Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten were crowned mixed doubles winners after a striking a comeback against Switzerland.

The Norwegians clinched three successive steals as Swiss pair Jenny Perret and Martin Rios made errors and failed to capitalise on opportunities for big scores and were forced to shake hands on a 10-5 defeat.

"I’m not sure if I’ve realised it yet, it’s a bit surreal," said Skaslien after the win.

"We had a bad start but mixed doubles is mixed doubles so you always have a chance to come back. I think we were patient, even though they got four in the first end against us we were really calm and worked our way back into it.

"[After the first end] I was just trying to think ‘okay, this is just curling, just try to have fun and enjoy this great venue, great ice and enjoy the moment.

Nedregotten added: "We were lucky today, we got out of bed with the right foot I guess! After the first end, we managed to stick together and pull it off. We both really wanted to win and the only chance you have it to keep trying after that first end."

Sportsbeat 2018