Norway’s stunner moves them into medal hunt

“We don’t have any medals from the Paralympics so that is our goal. In the first two games, we didn’t look we were going that way but today was much better.”

Ice conditions play a crucial role in the sport of wheelchair curling, and if the conditions are not right, players struggle to perform at their best.

Norway became only the third team to beat defending Paralympic champions Canada since their triumph on home ice at Vancouver 2010, as they scored two points in an extra ninth end to win 8-6 on Monday (10 March).

However, both commanding skips said they found it difficult to make their shots on “soft ice” in a surprisingly humid Ice Cube Arena due to the big crowd turnout.

In wheelchair curling, Norway’s leader Rune Lorentsen said it is very difficult to make a good shot without the benefit of the sweepers you see in able-bodied curling.

“We don’t have sweepers so the games get slower and slower,” he said.

“On 12-foot ice, it’s very slow so we almost have to take a push to get a good draw. It’s difficult.

“We needed this win. I think Canada did not play very well today but I think they will be stronger near the end of the tournament. I think the ice played a very important factor today.”

Canada’s Armstrong also struggled to perform in these conditions and entertained the thought of having designated able-bodied sweepers in future competitions.

“It would be a big traffic jam out there.”

“But we could possibly have some designated able-bodied sweepers but wouldn’t that be a fun week for them? All you do is sweep for the week.

“It was a tough situation today. We had the lead early and in think part of it is because everyone’s been struggling with rocks and ice conditions. It got pretty warm out there so the ice was getting very soft and we were struggling to make a hit. I was giving it a full hit and rolling 10 feet through the rings. It’s the same for everybody, but we just struggled today.”

With Jim Armstrong in charge of the team, Canada have only lost five games since the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics. Three of those losses have been against world silver medallists while one other was against Italy.

Now, Norway have added themselves to that short list. Armstrong said he did not have any knowledge of that record and insists his team will make the finals where all wins matter most.

“I was not aware of that record but now we have five losses so I hope it doesn’t get to 10 from here,” he said.

“It’s a round-robin and all we have to do is be here on the second weekend where it matters.”

Norway’s skip Rune Lorentsen was delighted with the way his team kept their composure as they battled from behind to beat Canada.

He said this victory has inspired them to chase their first ever Paralympic medal in wheelchair curling.

“We are very motivated right now so we just have to keep winning most of the games,” Lorentsen said

“We don’t have any medals from the Paralympics so that is our goal. In the first two games, we didn’t look we were going that way but today was much better.”