26 February 2025

Canadian dynamic duo in pursuit of mixed doubles glory

Mark Ideson has been synonymous with the Canadian mixed curling team for a decade, serving as the nation’s skip during this period.

Now, he’s turning his focus to a new challenge in 2025, aiming for success in the World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.

As a result, Ideson will be stepping down as the skip of the four-person rink, with Gilbert Dash taking over the role. This shift is part of Canada’s broader strategy to improve the quality over the two disciplines, particularly since athletes will be unable to compete in both tournaments at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

But even more legendary than Ideson is his trusty companion on the ice, the iconic Ina Forrest. Since making her Paralympic debut in 2010, Forrest has won a medal at every Games – two golds and two bronzes – and has also won three world titles and three world silver medals, cementing her place as one of the most decorated curlers of all time.

This dynamic duo has been a force for over a decade and coming with it, a wealth of experience that no other mixed doubles team can rival. With qualification for the Games no guarantee, it is time for Forrest and Ideson to secure that coveted spot.

“Ina and I have been long-time teammates and were selected by Canada’s National Programme to play mixed doubles this season in pursuit of securing a spot in the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games,” said Ideson.

“The Programme’s primary goal this quadrennial was to qualify for both mixed and mixed doubles in Cortina.

Ready for new experience

“It will certainly be a different experience for us, but we’ve really enjoyed the mixed doubles learning curve and look forward to the challenge.”

Currently sitting seventh in the qualifications ranking, Canada’s path to the Games is not guaranteed, with only eight teams advancing. Those below them include Estonia, Japan, Scotland and Germany – and with the unpredictability of mixed doubles curling, nothing can be taken for granted.

Ideson admitted that “any country could win at any time” but is confident in the tactical expertise of their coach Dana Ferguson, to help guide them toward a podium finish and potentially secure Canada’s first mixed doubles world title.

Longtime teammates

This ambition comes with the trust the duo shares on the ice.

“I’ve had the privilege of being Ina’s teammate for over a decade and we’ve had a lot of memorable curling adventures together,” he added.

“Our personalities complement each other but are opposite on and off the ice. On the ice, Ina is a little more conservative and defensive, whereas I’m higher-risk and like to take chances. Off the ice, I’m the conservative one and Ina is always up for something adventurous.

“Our differences balance us out and together we have trust, resilience and determination.”

With the pressure to qualify mostly falling on Ideson and Forrest, neither will feature in the mixed team competition at the World Wheelchair Curling Championship in Stevenston, Scotland. Canada have already mathematically confirmed their spots for the four-person event at the Paralympics.

Dash in as skip

With that pressure off, there is room for experimentation with Dash now leading the four-person team alongside Jon Thurston, Doug Dean and mixed doubles world bronze medallist Collinda Joseph. Being a Saskatchewan kid, Dash spent much of his childhood on the ice playing hockey and curling. He describes himself as a “rink rat” due to the time he spent on the ice playing and helping out.

After stepping away from the sport in his twenties, Dash was injured in 2006. During his rehabilitation, he noticed the lack of a wheelchair curling scene in his province, and, with help from a doctor and local physiotherapist, he played a key role in establishing the sport in Saskatchewan in 2008. Just over a decade later he became a world medallist.

Both Ideson and Dash emphasise that the national programme is focusing on “enhancing familiarity with both disciplines”, ensuring a deep and versatile team as the selection process approaches.

Dash also stressed the importance of contingency plans, having witnessed players experiencing accidents on the eve of competition, which ruled them out of tournaments. He himself was hospitalised three years ago right before a competition, which ruled him out of the World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship at the last minute.

“Our programme has a pool of very strong athletes that can play many positions, and I just believe that this puts us in a very strong position,” said Dash.

“This set us up for medals in both disciplines at the 2025 Worlds in Scotland and then gives the team management even more information so they can make decisions for the Paralympics in 2026.

“Then they can also look and see what they need to do to have our teams represent Canada the best that we can have it.

“Everything can happen up to the last minute and you want to be prepared for that, that another person can step right in there.”

Although a new face is in charge, Ideson is quick to praise the experience and expertise of the two-time world silver medallist Dash, adding that he is a “kind, thoughtful teammate who is also an excellent strategist and very knowledgeable curler”, suggesting the team is in good hands as himself and Forrest focus on the mixed doubles.

A gold or silver medal for Forrest and Ideson would guarantee Canada’s spot at the Paralympic Winter Games in mixed doubles, and would double the chances of the nation keeping their impressive record of winning a medal at every Paralympics curling competition.

For Forrest, it could be an opportunity to win her fifth Paralympic medal — whether in her traditional four-person team role or continuing her successful partnership with Ideson as a mixed doubles duo.

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