NORTH AMERICA EXTENDS LEAD OVER WORLD AT CONTINENTAL CUP
ST. ALBERT, Alta. -- North American curlers expanded their already big lead at the World Financial Group Continental Cup by claiming 22 of the 32 available points during eighth draw singles play Saturday.
The North Americans won four singles matches worth four points each and tied one for two points while losing two. The home side finished with an aggregate score of 108-96, giving them a bonus eight points for the victory.
Canadian Olympic champion Kevin Martin had the biggest margin victory for the North American side, defeating Scotland's David Murdoch 27-16. Martin was 5-1 in the double take out shot and the run through shot while winning the raise shot 5-3. He tied the both the draw and the port 5-5, but lost the hit and roll 2-1 to Murdoch.
The Draw 8 victory puts North America up 155-45 on the World team, with the Draw 9 skins scheduled for later Saturday.
Earlier in Draw 7 skins play, American Erika Brown swept all 20 points from Germany's Andrea Schopp in the women's match, while the North Americans did the same in mixed play.
Murdoch kept it from being a total romp by taking 17 of 20 points from American Pete Fenson in men's action.
The first team to 201 points wins the tournament.