With Canada defeated and the final spot in the Olympic curling tournament secured, family happiness reigned in the interview zone. Four children rushed in to pay tribute, but most importantly to meet their mothers.
Sara McManus lifted her three-year-old son Mac in her arms and told her that mom and her friends had secured another Olympic medal.
She praised the support from the stands, where parents and the Swedish men’s team were also present.
– I felt it the whole time. “I looked up and waved and blew kisses to Mac,” she said, apologizing for the tears streaming down her cheeks.
Agnes Beinehauer received honors from son Oliver and daughter Tilda. Mom saluted back.
– Our families are part of this journey. They are a crucial piece of the puzzle to having the strength to carry on. Without the support of me and my children, this wouldn’t work, said Agnes Beinehauer.
Tilda Beinehauer follows in her mother’s footsteps and caused a stir when, as a seven-year-old, she had to replace Anna Hasselborg in an SM competition.
“They are my role models, people cheer like only they do,” said Tilda Beinehauer.
– Tilda was 2.5 when I competed in my first Olympics. “Now she is taller than me and soon she will clearly beat me in curling,” said Agnes Beinehauer.
Well, not really Mom plays like she’s in the Olympic semifinals. Against Canada, the Swedish runner-up showed the way round after round together with Sofia Scharback’s safe opening stones.
All four Swedes had a better play rate than their Canadian opponents, and star captain Rachel Homan achieved an unusually low 70 percent. Third Tracy Fleury even worse.
“We said we would give Rachel as difficult a task as possible, and we succeeded,” said Sofia Scharback.
Anna Hasselborg stood surrounded by her children Mira and August. The Swedish skipper has also found great form just in time for the Olympics. Eliminations and draws usually fit perfectly and that will also be necessary in the final, where Switzerland and the Silvana Tirinzoni team await.
The Swiss are four-time world champions, but Sweden won the regular season meeting and has the last stone advantage.
Switzerland also has good spectator support in Cortina.
Sweden has Circus Hasselborg.
It will be an exciting duel in several respects.
