Australians on track with semi-final ticket booked

It’s a crusade that has gone on since 2019, when Australia’s Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt made their first Mixed Doubles appearance, finishing fourth in Stavanger, Norway.

Along the way, they became Australia’s first curling Olympians, topping the table at the 2021 Olympic Qualification Event in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, and enduring a Covid-troubled Olympic campaign at Beijing 2022. Now, they are poised to try, try and try again as the goal of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games comes ever closer.

As Tahli says, “we would love to get back to the Olympics.” She adds, “we know what our goal is and we’re just focusing on what we need to do to get it… and it’s just keep doing what we’re doing.”

Tahli Gill © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

Learning from Setbacks

The Australian campaign took a step back at last year’s event in Oestersund—the first year Olympic qualification points were up for grabs—where they finished fifteenth. But in 2024, they’ve rebounded with strength. Their form has returned, and they are on track to add vital Olympic qualification points.

Dean reflects, “we’ve learned from last year’s poor results. We’ve had a good season this year and can see the build-up now.”

Tahli agrees, “Both of us are very determined and very motivated. Even when we have a rough time, like last year, that drives us even more to go right back, look at what we’ve done wrong and what we need to do to close the gap. I think we’ve done a really good job this season. Knowing how hard we have to work to be in that top bracket, that’s motivated us even more.”

Dean Hewitt © World Curling / Anastasia Karekla

The Challenges from Australia

Being elite curlers from the Southern Hemisphere comes with unique hurdles. Dean explains, “we’re overseas for seven and a half months a year. It means we’re away from family and friends for long periods of time, but we just know that’s what it takes.”

Still, the rewards keep them going. “The whole journey is worthwhile. We’re having a really good time at this event. There’s a really good bond between us and the coaches and there’s a great crowd out here. That’s what makes it enjoyable and that’s what we want to focus on.”

Tahli shares insight into their motivation, “We’re very competitive people and that helps a lot, but it’s hard not to love curling. You’ve got to love what you do – and we love it.”