Comebacks, Clutch Shots, and Thrilling Wins: Day Two Highlights from the 2024 KIOTI National Grand Slam of Curling
Day two of the 2024 KIOTI National Grand Slam of Curling unfolded with a series of exciting and closely contested matches across both the men’s and women’s divisions. Held at the Mary Brown's Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the event saw thrilling comebacks, standout performances, and a few surprising results as the round-robin play continued to heat up.
Women’s Division Highlights
Team Anna Hasselborg made a strong return after missing previous events, overcoming an early deficit to defeat Team Kaitlyn Lawes 7-3. Hasselborg’s team showed resilience, shaking off a slow start and delivering crucial shots when it mattered most to secure the win and put themselves back in contention.
In another tight contest, Team Satsuki Fujisawa triumphed over Team Xenia Schwaller with an 8-5 victory. Fujisawa’s squad came up big in the final end, scoring three points to seal the win. Their strong finish highlighted their ability to execute under pressure, a characteristic that could make them a formidable force as the tournament progresses.
Team Silvana Tirinzoni was dominant in their matchup against Team Momoha Tabata, securing a convincing 7-2 win. Tirinzoni’s team controlled the game from start to finish, showcasing their precision and strong strategy.
Meanwhile, Team Eun-ji Gim managed to pull off a 6-3 win against Team Sayaka Yoshimura, despite playing short-handed without their lead and alternate players. The Korean squad’s determination and adaptability were evident, as they navigated the match without their full lineup to secure a valuable victory.
Men’s Division Highlights
The men’s side of the tournament featured some exciting head-to-head matchups, including a highly anticipated clash between Team Jacobs and Team Edin. Both teams are perennial contenders, and this game lived up to expectations with strategic shot-making and intense competition throughout. Fans can expect more drama as these two teams, who are known for their high-level play, continue to battle it out in the coming rounds.
Other notable matchups included Team Retornaz vs. Team Shuster, Team Dunstone vs. Team Ramsfjell, and Team Gushue vs. Team Muskatewitz. These games demonstrated the depth of talent in the men’s field, with each team showcasing their skill and tactics in pursuit of a coveted spot in the playoffs.
Additional Women’s Matches
The women’s division also saw a series of intriguing matchups. Team Kim took on Team Wrana, while Team Einarson faced Team Black in another hard-fought contest. Team Constantini faced off against Team Ha, and Team Homan went head-to-head with Team Carey. These games added to the excitement of the day, with each team battling for position in the competitive round-robin standings.
Conclusion
As day two of the 2024 KIOTI National Grand Slam of Curling wrapped up, it was clear that the competition is as fierce as ever, with top-tier teams across both divisions vying for supremacy. The Mary Brown's Centre in St. John's proved to be an exciting venue for these world-class athletes to showcase their skills, and fans can expect even more thrilling curling action in the days to come as round-robin play continues to unfold.
With several teams in both the men’s and women’s fields proving their mettle, the road to the playoffs promises to be packed with drama, strategy, and high-level competition.
