10.03 Paralympics: Host Russia Charges to Top in Wheelchair Curling

SOCHI, March 10 (R-Sport) – The Russian wheelchair curling team joined Canada at the top of the round robin table at the Sochi Paralympics, winning two games on the third day of competition Monday.

Russia, skipped by 2012 world champion Andrei Smirnov, first defeated Vancouver 2010 Olympic silver medalist South Korea 7-5 and then edged out the United States 6-5.

The host team rose to a 4-1 record, the same as reigning champion Canada, which suffered its first defeat Monday, losing to Norway 8-6 in an extra end.

Surprise package Slovakia finally suffered its first defeat on the third day of competition, being destroyed by Britain 12-2. The Slovakians now share third place with Britain, each with three wins and one loss.

Elsewhere, Paralympic debutant China grabbed two victories, beating Sweden 8-4 and pounding Korea 11-2, while Norway defeated Finland 8-6.

In the wheelchair curling competition, mixed teams of men and women are mandatory. The final is March 15.