MEDICINE HAT, December 15…North America scooped up 46 out of a possible 60 points in Skins games Saturday morning to move closer to the magic mark of 201, as the fifth edition of the Continental Cup, presented by Monsanto, continued.

North America now holds a 128-54 advantage over Europe heading into this afternoon’s three Mixed Doubles games, each worth six points, at 4:00 pm MST, followed by three 30-point Skins games at 7:30 pm MST.  Two 55-point Skins games are on tap tomorrow.

This morning’s Draw 7 action at The Arena featured a women’s, men’s and new Mixed Skins game, each worth 20 points.

In the Mixed Skins, North America came out on top 19-1, taking a 10-pointer in the final end (after a seventh end carry-over) when Europe skip David Murdoch failed to make a difficult angle raise tap with his final shot. Thus, North America skip Dave Nedohin didn’t have to throw his last stone, since the hosts had two counters already.

In the women’s Skins, North America’s Jennifer Jones defeated Europe’s Angelina Jensen, 12-8.  But Jensen’s squad was able to salvage a six-point skin in the last end when last rock thrower Madeleine Dupont successfully executed a perfect tap and roll to count two.

In the men’s Skins, North America’s Todd Birr defeated Europe’s Andreas Schwaller, 15-5.  The six-point skin for the eighth and final end went to a closest to the button draw after a carry-over, which Birr won by a whisker.

In Skins play, each end has a pre-designated value.  Teams take ‘skins’ either by stealing or by counting two or more with hammer.

The women’s Skins game tonight will see Europe’s Liudmila Privivkova battling North America’s Debbie McCormick, while Andy Kapp meets Randy Ferbey in the men’s game.

On Sunday, starting at 10:30 am MST/12:30 pm EST, live on CBC-TV, the final women’s and men’s Skins games, each worth 55 points, will feature Europe's Kelly Wood facing off against North America's Kelly Scott, while David Murdoch takes on Glenn Howard.

The Continental Cup involves four disciplines within the sport, each worth a designated number of points - Team Games (72 points), Mixed Doubles (36 points), Singles (32 points) and Skins Games (260 points).   The first side to score 201 points is declared the winner. Each member of the winning side receives $2,000, while the losing side members get $1,400 each from the $88,400 total purse.

Coming into Medicine Hat this year, both sides were knotted at two wins apiece.   North America took the inaugural ‘Cup’ in Regina in 2002 and the 2004 renewal in Medicine Hat, when an attendance record of 42,317 was set.    Europe prevailed in 2003 in Thunder Bay and last year in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

-30-