USA and Russia crowned at 2019 Qinghai Intl. Curling Elite
Updated 08:56, 13-Dec-2019
CGTN
Gold medalist, Russia's women's team, celebrate during the awarding ceremony of the International Curling Elite 2019 in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, December 10, 2019./ Xinhua Photo

Gold medalist, Russia's women's team, celebrate during the awarding ceremony of the International Curling Elite 2019 in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, December 10, 2019./ Xinhua Photo

The United States and Russia were crowned winners respectively in the men's and women's standings at 2019 Qinghai International Curling Elite after winning their finals here on Tuesday.

In the men's action, the United States scored a hard-fought 5-4 victory over the Netherlands to win the title. With two points behind after the fourth end, the Netherlands took the lead by scoring three points in the fifth. But the United States roared back to tie the game 3-3 after the sixth end.

Colton Lott (C) of Canada competes during the men's bronze medal match between Canada and South Korea at the International Curling Elite 2019 in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, December 10, 2019./ Xinhua Photo

Colton Lott (C) of Canada competes during the men's bronze medal match between Canada and South Korea at the International Curling Elite 2019 in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, December 10, 2019./ Xinhua Photo

The two finalists entered the last end with a tie at 4-4. But the U.S. seized the final-rock advantage and won the one point that secured their victory at the Elite.

South Korea edged defending champions Canada 7-3 to take bronze.

In the women's final, Russia edged South Korea 6-4 to claim the gold. The two sides had a tough game, with the scores tied at 4-4 going into the final end. But South Korea failed to seize their hammer advantage on the eighth end and handed their victory to their opponents.

Arsenkina Galina of Russia competes during the women's semifinal at the International Curling Elite 2019 between Switzerland and Russia in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, December 9, 2019./ Xinhua Photo

Arsenkina Galina of Russia competes during the women's semifinal at the International Curling Elite 2019 between Switzerland and Russia in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, December 9, 2019./ Xinhua Photo

In the third-place matches, Switzerland beat China to earn a spot on the podium. The Chinese earned three points after the second end to secure a strong start. But the Swiss overturned the deficit after neutralizing China's hammer advantage in the fourth and fifth end. The hosts went down fighting but were finally pipped 7-5.

The 2019 Qinghai International Curling Elite was held at the Chinese Duoba National Plateau Sports Training Base and featured 16 teams from 10 countries and regions competing over the past week.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency