MEDICINE HAT – It was a North American sweep at the fifth edition of the Continental Cup of Curling.

A tired and outplayed European contingent fell in final Skins curling action to their Canadian and U.S. opponents to lose 290-110 over the four-day "Ryder Cup-style" competition.

"We knew it would be tough," said Team Europe captain Rhona Martin, the 2002 Olympic gold medallist. "The team spirit was there and we were gonna keep fighting but I think when you add it all together, the event probably wasn't the best timing."

Half the European contingent came to this Canadian town just two days after the conclusion of the European Championships, an enormous eight-day event taking place in Füssen, Germany.

In Skins play Kelly Scott's defending world champs from Canada outlasted Scotland's Kelly Wood 33-22 while the men's finale saw world champion Glenn Howard, also of Canada, thrash Scotland's David Murdoch, 47-8.

Murdoch came to Medicine Hat the new 2007 Euro champion, but never got untracked.

"We just didn't make the shots. There's no excuses," said Murdoch. "I missed more shots today than ever I think. Shots I would just never miss at the world level.

"Sometimes it just doesn't happen for you. I think I'll try and forget that performance by tomorrow."

The two sides were tied 2-2 coming into this 2007 edition. Next year's Continental Cup takes place in nearby Camrose, Alberta.