Scottish curlers Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat claimed their first global title by a matter of millimetres in a dramatic conclusion to today's final at the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Aberdeen.
The childhood friends from Edinburgh led Norway's Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten 8-7 with one shot left to play, and although Skaslien almost produced a miracle with her final delivery, the official measuring device confirmed that Scotland had stolen a single stone to clinch a nail-biting 9-7 victory. They will now go to next year's Winter Olympics as reigning world champions after securing their place in Beijing last week.
The Scots began the final as slight favourites after winning nine of their previous ten games, but Norway had stunned defending champions Sweden in Saturday's first semi-final. Skaslien and Nedregotten continued that form yesterday, counting three stones at the second end and narrowly missing out on a four at the fourth as they deservedly led 5-3 at the midway stage.
Dodds and Mouat were being outplayed but regrouped during the interval and came out firing. A two at the fifth pulled them level, only for Norway to reply in kind with a deuce at the next.
End seven proved to be a crucial turning point as Scotland called a Power Play and capitalised on that to score a three and move ahead for the first time since the opening end.
Norway held the advantage of playing the last shot at the final end, knowing that they needed a two to win or a single to take the match to an extra end. Dodds and Mouat made life as difficult as possible for their rivals, while national coach David Murdoch - himself a double world champion - offered his advice during a timeout, but it could scarcely have been closer at the death as Skaslien narrowly failed to dash Scottish hopes.
"I can't believe it. We're still in a bit of shock," admitted Dodds, who finished only eighth with Eve Muirhead's team at this month's Women's World Championship. "Getting a three on the Power Play at the seventh end was absolutely crucial. It was so important for the end of the game."
Mouat, meanwhile, was ecstatic after going one better than last month's World Men's Final in Calgary, where he lost 10-5 to Swede Niklas Edin. Claiming gold on home ice was doubly sweet for the Murrayfield skip following the late cancellation due to Covid lockdown of last year's World Championship in Glasgow.
"That was such a tight game against Norway. It was really scrappy for a while," said Mouat. "Even when we were behind on the scoreboard, we always felt we could win it, and that's exactly what happened."
Deposed holders Sweden salvaged a bronze medal by defeating Canada 7-4 in yesterday morning's third place play-off.
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