In Kelowna, Canada, Chinese mixed doubles curlers remain in contention for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, even after a hard-fought 6-5 loss to Australia on Wednesday.
The result could have spelled elimination, but China advanced to the playoff stage thanks to New Zealand’s 8-5 win over the Netherlands. On Thursday, China will face the Republic of Korea, with the victor earning the right to challenge the loser of the Czech Republic–Australia matchup for an Olympic berth.
China’s Yu Sen drew first blood, delivering a precise red stone that nestled on the button to open the scoring. Australia’s Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt rallied for a 2-1 lead by the third end, but Yu’s spectacular double take-out knotted the score at 2-2.
After Ye Zixuan leveled at 3-3 following five ends, he turned the tables in the seventh by executing a shot that removed Australia’s only stone in the house, scoring two points and moving China ahead 5-4. In the final end, Ye narrowly missed his last stone, allowing Australia to steal two and seal the 6-5 victory.
Despite the setback, the pair’s performance has rallied support back home. All eyes now turn to Thursday’s showdown with the Republic of Korea, where a win would keep China’s Olympic hopes alive in a thrilling race to clinch that final spot in next year’s Winter Games.
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Chinese mixed doubles curlers remain hopeful of reaching Winter Games
cgtn.com
