Mixed doubles competition underway at Gangwon 2024

Following an exciting mixed team competition at the Gangneung Curling Centre, the mixed doubles pairs have now taken to the ice for their moments to shine.

The 24-team event kicked off last night (26 January) and will continue with group play until 31 January. Four groups of six teams will battle each other, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the play-offs.

A handful of teams – New Zealand, Brazil and Denmark – have returning players from the mixed team event. Although worn down from a week of intense curling, they feel that experience will help them in their mixed doubles pursuit.

We’re a little bit tired,” admitted Denmark’s silver medallist Jacob Schmidt after a 13-3 win against Italy. “But we got yesterday off so we could rest up and I think we are ready now to go again.”

His sister, Katrine Schmidt, added, “I think obviously we have some advantages because we’ve played before on the ice but it’s a little different when its mixed doubles so it’s not that big of an advantage.

Speaking on the difference between the two disciplines Jacob said, “It’s really crucial that you find your draw weight as fast as you can and it’s a good idea to get it in the practice. If you can’t there will be some rough ends in the start.”

Qatar mark first Youth Olympic curling showing

Qatar’s only Youth Olympic athletes, Mohammed Alnaimi and his partner Aldana Al-Fahad, started their time in Gangwon as flag bearers at the opening ceremony. The new curlers opened their competition with a 0-15 loss to Norway, but are taking their games as learning experience.

“We lost today, but this is OK because we learned a lot of things. Me and Aldana, we are playing for just three months,” said Mohammed.

“I didn’t know about curling before, but my cousin is working for the Olympic Committee in Qatar and he asked if I wanted to join. He is an ice hockey player and when he told me about curling, I thought it was the same game.

“But when I went there, I saw something different. At first I learned how to slide and how to stand up with the plastic slider on my shoe. In time I learned how to slide with one stone, because sometimes I fell down.”

Kiwi’s open with a victory

New Zealand’s duo started their new tournament with a 12-5 win against Brazil.

“I definitely think it’s a bit beneficial [that we played last week], we know the ice a bit,” said Jed Nevill. “But we didn’t have the best run in the mixed team event so we sort of have to start fresh for this event.”

“We work well as a team, we trust each other which helps,” said Olivia Russell.