Curling: NZ suffers consecutive defeats

New Zealand suffered two consecutive defeats on the fourth day of the World Championships event in Canada.

After an encouraging start on Wednesday, New Zealand lost 6-4 to Italy and 9-2 to Norway, the top team in the 12-nation competition.

The world championships are the final qualifying tournament for next February's winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

To qualify for the Games, New Zealand must either finish one place ahead of the US, two ahead of Denmark or three ahead of Finland.

After yesterday's results, New Zealand are eighth, still two spots ahead of Denmark, who they play in the final match today.