TEAM USA IN PLAYOFF CONTENTION AT WORLD WOMEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Photo by WCF / Steve Seixeiro
Photo by WCF / Steve Seixeiro
Nine games into the 13-game round robin of the 2021 World Women’s Curling Championship, Team USA (Tabitha Peterson, Nina Roth, Becca Hamilton, Tara Peterson, and Aileen Geving) sits at fourth place in the standings with a 6-3 record.
In what was a less than ideal start of the Championship, Team USA dropped two games on opening day - the first to Scotland and the second to Germany. Aware that the 0-2 record was not indicative of the Team’s level play, they began converting close games to wins.
Following opening day, Tabitha Peterson and her squad rattled off four straight wins against Korea, Italy, Canada, and Estonia, until meeting their match again on Monday evening against Denmark.
“There hasn’t been a huge difference between our wins and losses,” said Tabitha Peterson, skip of Team Peterson. “We’ve been really close in every game so we just keep focusing on the process of everything, controlling what we can control, taking it one step at a time, and not getting too ahead of ourselves.”
The Team rebounded again by stringing together a two-win day on Tuesday.
The United States remained in control of Tuesday afternoon’s game against Japan, leading by three points in the 10th end. Japan answered with a score of three that sent the game into an extra end, where Tabitha Peterson drew the pin for the win.
Hammer efficiency proved to be key in Tuesday evening’s matchup as two deuces in the first six ends established a controlling lead over China that went unanswered in the second half.
Four games remain in the round robin of the Championship, but Team USA plans to extend their stay as they’ve been preparing to make a run in the playoffs. With an opportunity to qualify the United States for a spot in the 2022 Winter Olympics by finishing top six in the field, the Team has pursued every possible opportunity to best prepare for the World Championship, including arriving to the bubble nearly a month ago to compete in two Grand Slam of Curling events.
“It’s been a huge benefit playing in the Slams,” said Nina Roth, vice of Team Peterson. “Limited access to ice and competition due to Covid has made preparing tough, but we used our time in the Slams as a springboard to get us ready for the Worlds.”
Taking it one step at a time is proving to be successful for a Team who has eagerly awaited their chance to return to the world stage since the cancelation of the 2020 World Women’s Curling Championship.
“It means everything to be here,” said Peterson. “We love representing the United States and we hope we’re doing it well.”
Click here to view more information on the LGT World Women’s Curling Championship 2021.
Note: Due to positive Covid cases that have impacted the broadcasting crew at the World Women’s Curling Championship, broadcasting is currently canceled through Thursday morning.
USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Goldline, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Sitrin, Traveler’s Choice, and Volt, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., 12th End Sports Network, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.
