Team Philippines made a dominant start in the women’s curling team competition at the 9th Asian Winter Games, securing a 7-2 victory over Hong Kong at the Harbin Pingfang Curling Arena on Sunday, February 9.

Strong Start for Team Philippines

Fresh off a fourth-place finish in the mixed doubles event, Kathleen Dubberstein led the charge, bouncing back with an impressive team performance.

“It was really a good start. We just have to sustain it in our succeeding matches,” said Dubberstein, who came close to securing a historic medal for the Philippines alongside Filipino-Swiss Marc Pfister in mixed doubles.

Supporting Dubberstein were Leilani Sumbillo and Sheila Mariano, who played a crucial role in keeping Hong Kong scoreless for the first four ends while the Filipinas built a comfortable lead. Anne Bonache and Jennifer dela Fuente also contributed as the team extended their advantage to 6-0. Hong Kong eventually conceded after the seventh end with one more frame remaining.

Other Philippine Winter Athletes in Action

In short track speed skating, Peter Groseclose fell short of reaching the semifinals in the men’s 1000m event at the HIC Multifunctional Hall. The 17-year-old Winter Youth Olympian finished third in his heat with a time of 1:28.00, behind Kazakhstan’s Adil Galiakhmetov (1:27.43) and China’s Liu Shaoang (1:27.72). Groseclose had also competed earlier in the 1500m and 500m events but missed out on a podium finish.

Meanwhile, in alpine skiing, Francis Ceccarelli was disqualified in his first run in the men’s slalom competition at the Yabuli Alpine Skiing Slalom Stadium. He lost his line while attempting to accelerate down the snowy slopes.

“I wanted to be faster but I fumbled a bit. I do not want to give up and try to finish,” said the 21-year-old skier, who remains determined to return stronger.

Upcoming Philippine Events at the Asian Winter Games

• Figure Skating (Tuesday, HIC Multifunctional Hall):
  • Men’s Short Program: Paolo Borromeo (2:00 PM)
  • Pairs: Isabella Gamez & Aleksander Korovin (2:00 PM)
  • Women’s Short Program: Sofia Frank & Cathryn Limketkai (1:30 PM)
• Freestyle Skiing (Tuesday, Yabuli Ski Resort):
  • Women’s Freeski Slopestyle: Laetaz Amihan Rabe (11:00 AM)