INNSBRUCK, Jan 22 - A polished performance ensured Nicole MUSKATEWITZ (GER) and Michael BRUNNER (SUI) walked away with the Gold medal in the Curling Mixed Doubles at the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games on Sunday.

With a winning margin of 13-2, it was clear that the German/Swiss combination was too strong for Eunbi KIM (KOR) and Martin SESAKER (NOR) when MUSKATEWITZ performed a take out for four in the fourth end, putting her team out in front by eight points, at 9:1.

The Norwegian and Korean Curlers conceded defeat during the seventh end, with SESAKER then asking permission to perform a 360-degree spin while throwing one more stone in a crowd-pleasing gesture.

Speaking after the match, SESAKER admitted, "I wasn't really allowed to send a stone down, because we'd conceded, but I asked the umpire because the crowd wanted it, and I was allowed to do that trick shot."

BRUNNER admitted he had not predicted such a comfortable victory.

"We expected to have fun," he said. "Not to get such a high score. I'm a little surprised, but we played really well."

His teammate was also shocked at the margin of victory, and over-joyed to have taken Gold.

"I don't really have any feelings just yet," MUSKATEWITZ said. "I'm so happy I'm almost confused."

Nicholas's mother, Bridgette BRUNNER, who is his coach, was beaming with pride after his win.

"I've done good work, but he's a very good player too," she said. "We've worked together for several years and now he's got two Gold medals (BRUNNER won Gold in the Mixed Team competition on Wednesday)."

His mother's kiss on the cheek and two Gold medals are a great reward at the end of Innsbruck 2012, and Mrs BRUNNER is sure that post-Games motivation will not be an issue for her son.

"When he sees stones, he's motivated," she said. "I think he'll be playing for a long, long time."

The Bronze-medal match was a nail-biter in comparison, with an extra end required to split the RUSSIA/USA and JAPAN/KOREA teams, who were sitting at 5:5 after the eighth end.

Russia's Marina VERENICH threw her last stone well but Minhyeon YOO (KOR) remained unsure of the outcome until the last second.

"It looked like her throw would go out," YOO said. "I closed my eyes and prayed, but when I opened them it wasn't the case."

The final score was 6:5 to RUS/USA.

Korey DROPKIN (USA) was full of praise for his teammate. "She threw a great last shot and it was all I could ask for, because it won us a Bronze medal. I was nervous, but I knew we'd come through."

VERENICH herself was grateful for the support of the vocal crowd. "Certainly I was very worried before the throw, but I heard the spectators supporting us, which was a big help."

YIS sco/rm