CHRISTENSEN, SINCLAIR TO PLAY IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
In the semi-final matchup at the 2021 U.S. Women’s National Curling Championship, Team Bear faced Team Christensen.
With last rock advantage to start the game due to their higher seeding at the conclusion of the round robin, Team Christensen was the first on the scoreboard with a score of one.
Team Bear returned the favor in the second end, leveling the score at 1-1 after the two ends of play before Christensen scored the first multiple score of the game, adding three to their point total.
After generating two points with hammer in the fourth end, Team Bear left Team Christensen an opportunity to make a double for five. Christensen’s throw removed the shot rock from play but did not catch the Bear’s second counter, resulting in a score of one for Team Christensen.
Team Bear was forced to a single point in the sixth end, giving the hammer back to Christensen who blanked the seventh and scored two in the eighth.
Trailing 4-7 in the ninth end, Madison Bear faced three Christensen stones on her last rock. With two of their own sitting in the 12-foot circle, Team Bear elected to try triple takeout to score three and tie the game. Madison Bear’s triple attempt over curled, resulting in only a single and a 7-5 deficit playing the final end.
Team Bear counted two rocks when Cory Christensen got in the hack to throw the final stone of the game. With full visibility of one of the counters, Team Christensen removed Bear’s rock from play, defeating Team Bear 7-6 in the semi-final game.
Team Christensen’s semi-final victory has secured a top two finish in the field, qualifying them for a spot in the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
"It was our goal here to lock in our Olympic Trials spot, so we could really plan our summer and peak in the fall,” said Sarah Anderson, vice of Team Christensen. "We will definitely still grind this summer, but I think maybe a little of that pressure is off."
Team Christensen will face Team Sinclair in the National Championship final at 2:00 PM.
"I think the whole team is really excited to be in this final,” added Anderson. “We're going to give it our best shot and we're here to win."
FOLLOW ALONG
Live scoring of the 2021 U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Championships.
The Championships will be broadcasted May 25-31 on the USA Curling Youtube Channel!
USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Goldline, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., 12th End Sports Network, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.
