Edmonton's Kevin Koe stormed out to a 5-1 lead en route to an emphatic 9-3 win over Norway in the final of the Capital One World Championship.

Edmonton's Kevin Martin had beaten Norway's Thomas Ulsrud 6-3 to capture the Olympic men's curling title in Vancouver.

The victory capped quite a ride for Koe, whose rink of Blake MacDonald, Carter Rycroft, Nolan Theissen and alternate Jamie King captured the Canadian title last month in Halifax in its first-ever appearance in the Brier.

"It's been such a whirlwind last month and a half for us," said Koe.

"It's just been an awesome ride for us and I'm just so happy for the guys.

"This is a pretty good team and now we're world champs.

"That's something no one can take away from us."

Ulsrud was due to again skip Norway at the World Championship but never made it on to the ice.

He had to return home prior to the tournament due to a family illness, leaving the Norwegian team without its leader.

Still, that did not seem to deter the Norwegians, who finished atop the world tournament standings with a 10-1 record before losing 11-5 to Canada in the first-versus-second playoff that clinched the Canadians an automatic berth in the final.

Norway qualified for the championship by beating Scotland in the semi-final yesterday.

Scotland, skipped by Warwick Smith (pictured) beat the United States 6-4 to capture the bronze medal in a much closer affair.

It came down to the 10th end, with Scottish third David Smith producing a brilliant hit-and-roll to sit behind cover.

American Pete Fenson was too heavy in his attempt, allowing the Scots to steal two and secure the victory.

Smith said: "Any medal at world level is fantastic.

"We came here trying to win gold, but once that dream is over, which was Saturday, you've got to re-focus.

"All the guys were right up for it today.

"The worst thing in the world is having as good a season as we've had and win nothing.

"I've been in his shoes [US skip Pete Fenson] in 98 and you just don't want to be there."