Curling duo Peterman and Gallant compete for an Olympic berth at the world mixed doubles playoffs
Rewritten Article:
Getting their hands on the Maple Leaf for Canada is just half the battle for Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman; securing a spot at the Winter Olympics' mixed doubles event is their immediate mission. As a seasoned husband-and-wife curling team, they've already proven their worth, making them prime contenders should Canada qualify for the Games.
The World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship kicks off this weekend at Willie O'Ree Place in Fredericton and serves as the premier qualifier for the 2026 Milan/Cortina Games. Being part of this tournament could make their dreams of returning to the Olympics a reality, and they have their sights set on that goal.
In their opening match on Saturday morning, Gallant and Peterman will go head-to-head with Germany's Pia-Lisa Schoell and Joshua Sutor. The outcome of this year's event and the 2024 world playdowns will determine the seven nations to join Italy at the Olympics. The remaining two spots in the 10-team tournament will be filled at the Olympic Qualifying Event in December in Kelowna, B.C.
The Canadians already showed impressive results in 2023, securing the Montana's Brier title with Brad Jacobs leading the team, and finishing in third place at the world men's curling championship. Peterman, who plays on Kaitlyn Lawes' women's team, is also eager to bounce back after missing the podium at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Gallant has Olympic experience, having won bronze three years ago in 2021 on a team led by Brad Gushue. John Morris and Rachel Homan represented Canada in the mixed doubles event in 2022 but failed to make the playoffs. The duo was chosen for the positions after the trials were scrapped due to COVID-19.
Curling Canada adjusted its approach for this quadrennial, moving the trials to a year before the Games instead of a month before. Athletes are now allowed to participate in both the mixed doubles and four-player team events, should they qualify. Gallant and Peterman dominated the trials back in January, capping their impressive 10-game run with an 8-7 victory over Jennifer Jones and Brendan Bottcher in the final.
With four-player team competition behind them, the Canadians have fully committed to mixed doubles training. They've been hard at work with national coach Scott Pfeifer in preparation for the world playdowns. Whether they're aiming to claim Canada's first gold medal at this event or build on their past experiences, their ultimate goal remains representing Canada at the 2026 Milan/Cortina Olympics.
The World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship features a formidable field of curlers, including top-ranked Harri Lill and Marie Kaldvee of Estonia, as well as Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten of Norway. Despite the tough competition, Gallant and Peterman are optimistic about their chances. May 3 will see the medal games, and Canada has a history of making the podium since the event's inception in 2008, securing two silvers and two bronzes along the way.
Coinciding with the championship, the world senior curling championships will run concurrently. The Canadian women's team, skipped by Atina Ford Johnston, and the men's side led by Randy Bryden are set to compete in the tournament. This article was first published on April 25, 2024.
- The World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Oestersund, taking place this year, could be the stepping stone for Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman, as the tournament serves as the premier qualifier for the 2026 Milan/Cortina Games.
- If they manage to secure a spot at the Winter Olympics' mixed doubles event, Gallant and Peterman, the seasoned husband-and-wife duo from Toronto, will strive to replicate their success, aiming for Canada's first gold medal at this event.
- The qualification process is not an easy one, with countries from around the world competing fiercely, including the top-ranked Harri Lill and Marie Kaldvee of Estonia, and Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten of Norway.
- Meanwhile, both the Canadian women's and men's senior curling teams, led by Atina Ford Johnston and Randy Bryden respectively, will also be competing in the World Senior Curling Championships held concurrently.
