Curling: NZ open with win

The New Zealand men's curling team opened with a win at the Winter Games series in Naseby, central Otago, beating the Czech Republic 7-6 yesterday.

But the New Zealand women suffered two straight defeats, losing 3-9 to Japan ahead of a 1-12 trouncing by world champions China.

In other men's matches, Australia beat Japan 5-3, China beat the United States 8-4 and Korea beat Canada 10-3.

Korea beat Japan 7-6 in the other women's match played yesterday.

- NZPA