Great Britain beat Switzerland in Winter Olympics curling opener

Great Britain’s men edged out Switzerland to make a winning start to their curling campaign at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Led by Kyle Smith, the British quartet were 2-1 up after five ends, 4-3 down after eight, and pegged back to 5-5 in the 10th.

However, Smith was left with a simple shot to close out the game 6-5 in the sudden-death extra end.

“We were thrown in at the deep end but it is terrific to win,” Smith said.

“That Swiss team is one we would expect to be there or thereabouts at the end of the week so to get one over them is a great start for us and gives us a lot of confidence for the next games.”

Great Britain’s women’s team – consisting of Eve Muirhead (skip), Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams and Lauren Gray, along with alternate Kelly Schafter – were in control of their opener against Olympic Athletes from Russia from the first end.

They established a 3-0 lead at the first opportunity before running away to 10-3 victory.

Britain’s men will play defending champions Canada later on Wednesday, while the women take on the United States on Thursday.

The men’s match – the second of nine that Britain will play in the round-robin stage – is due to begin at 11:05 GMT.

The top four teams from the round-robin stage will progress to the semi-finals.

Great Britain’s men earned silver four years ago, losing to Canada in the final in Sochi.

Muirhead, Sloan, Adams and Gray were all part of the team who won bronze in 2014.

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