Hokkaido Bank secured their spot in the finals of the Japanese Curling Championships with an impressive 11-5 victory against Loco Solare on November 8, 2023, held at Yokohama City. This match was not just any semifinal; it was part of the qualification process for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympic Games, making the stakes exceedingly high for both teams.
The women’s team of Hokkaido Bank has been on the Olympic stage before, winning bronze at the PyeongChang Games and silver at the Beijing Games. Facing them was the formidable Loco Solare, favorites with two consecutive Olympic medals themselves. Yet, at this tournament, Hokkaido Bank proved they’re still serious contenders.
The match progressed with tension, tying at 2-2. It was during the third end when Hokkaido Bank’s Mayu Murota decisively turned the tide. After gathering three stones at the center of the house, Loco Solare's skip, Satsuki Fujisawa, mistakenly pushed the stone between two of Murota's, opening the door for Hokkaido Bank to seize the moment. They capitalized on the error, scoring four points and surging to a commanding 6-2 lead.
While Loco Solare managed to tighten the game to 6-5 after two consecutive steals, Hokkaido Bank retained their composure. They continued to score steadily, adding single points during the sixth and seventh ends, before sealing their fate with three points during the decisive eighth end. Recognizing the uphill battle, Loco Solare conceded, confirming Hokkaido Bank's victory.
This win means Hokkaido Bank will compete against Fortius for the championship title on November 9, 2023. For Loco Solare, the defeat signifies the end of their chances at this championship, urging them to rely on future competitions to maintain their Olympic aspirations. This is especially significant as they seek to qualify for their third consecutive Olympic event.
Reflecting on their performance, Fujisawa noted, "After losing four points, it was my responsibility," acknowledging the pressure and disappointment of the match, as reported by Daily Sports. Meanwhile, Mari Motohashi, also sharing her thoughts on their emotional resilience said, "I'm proud of our growth, and my feelings as a parent came through during our challenging match."
With their eyes set on the final, Hokkaido Bank looks poised to challenge Fortius, demonstrating their skill and determination. Meanwhile, Loco Solare’s hopes now hinge on the upcoming representative selection bouts, where they must secure their chance to contend for Olympic glory once again.
The road to the Olympic Games is fraught with challenges, and as teams like Hokkaido Bank and Loco Solare prepare for what lies ahead, the excitement and competitive spirit surrounding curling remain palpable.