Ice Hockey

Canada’s women’s ice hockey team delivered the first half of what the host nation hopes will be a gold medal double when they beat the USA 2-0 at Canada Hockey Place on day 14 of the Vancouver Games.

Marie-Philip Poulin scored twice in the first period to put Canada firmly in command and, roared on to victory by an ecstatic Canada Hockey Place crowd, they never looked in danger of surrender their lead.

There were jubilant scenes at the end as Canada celebrated its eighth gold of the Games and looked forward to another golden moment from the men’s team who are in semi-final action today.

The USA had beaten Canada in the last two World Championship finals making an Olympic gold on home soil against their southern neighbours all the sweeter.

Germany’s Viktoria Rebensburg was stunned by her surprise gold in the women’s giant slalom gold medal at a foggy Whistler Creekside.

Rebensburg, 20, was lying sixth after the first run but grabbed the lead after completing her second run in one minute, 11.64 seconds for a combined time of 2mins, 27.11secs.

“Unbelievable,” said a shocked Rebensburg. “I don’t know what to say. I think I have to celebrate.”

Slovenia’s Tina Maze bagged another silver medal to add to her earlier one in the Super-G. She was 0.12 seconds behind after a second run of 1:11.76.

Elisabeth Görgl of Austria, leading after the first run, had to settle for another bronze to match the one she won in the downhill after a second run of 1:12.13 gave her a combined time of 2:27.25.

Defending champion Julia Mancuso skied a quick second run – 1:11.24 – but had too much ground to make up after her first run and was back in eighth place.

In the men’s curling semi-finals Canada, skipped by Kevin Martin, beat Sweden 6-3 to set up a final with Norway who edged past Switzerland 7-5.

Earlier Sweden, skipped by Anette Norberg, booked their place in the women’s curling final with a 9-4 victory over China.

Canada, skipped by Cheryl Bernard, delighted the Vancouver Olympic Centre crowd by joining the Swedes in today’s final by edging out Switzerland 6-5 in their semi-final.

Norway claimed their sixth gold of the Games in the cross country skiing 4