threw a sharp curve into the contest

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Hi,

Stanford University abruptly dropped out of the intense international competition to build an innovative science graduate school in New York City, releasing its decision on Friday afternoon. A short time later, its main rival in the contest, Cornell, announced a $350 million gift — the largest in its history — to underwrite its bid.

The twin announcements threw a sharp curve into the contest, leaving Cornell’s $2 billion proposal for Roosevelt Island as the clear front-runner for what is seen as a prime opportunity to help reinvent higher education.

(Stanford Ends Effort to Build New York Arm. the NY Times)

What does "threw a sharp curve into the contest" mean in the above?

[masterding]

Hi,

Stanford University abruptly dropped out of the intense international competition to build an innovative science graduate school in New York City, releasing its decision on Friday afternoon. A short time later, its main rival in the contest, Cornell, announced a $350 million gift — the largest in its history — to underwrite its bid.

The twin announcements threw a sharp curve into the contest, leaving Cornell’s $2 billion proposal for Roosevelt Island as the clear front-runner for what is seen as a prime opportunity to help reinvent higher education.

(Stanford Ends Effort to Build New York Arm. the NY Times)

What does "threw a sharp curve into the contest" mean in the above?

Not a teacher, Nor a native
I think it means something unexpected or surprising.
curve - definition of curve by Macmillan Dictionary

[BobK]

Not a teacher, Nor a native
I think it means something unexpected or surprising.
curve - definition of curve by Macmillan Dictionary

;up: (Short for 'curve ball' - from baseball. Such a ball doesn't fly the way the batter expects.)

b