Former world champions Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat start their Scottish Mixed Doubles title defence at Perth’s Dewars Centre this week knowing they must master the toughest domestic field yet to enhance their chances of returning to their third World Championships together.
The discipline, which has grown in prominence since its inclusion in the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, now attracts top players from around the world and Olympic women’s gold medallist Dodds knows that both in Scotland and on Tour the enticement of additional podium spots and medal opportunities has produced tougher battle grounds than ever before.
“I think the mixed doubles scene has changed a lot even since the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022,” said Dodds.
“They have started a mixed doubles series in Canada which has had a lot of success and myself and Bruce played in it a couple of times last year.
“They were really good events and I think for mixed doubles I really want to see that keep growing.
“We are two years out from Milan Cortina so you will see teams getting formed around the world specifically for the Olympics, so for the next two years it is going to be really exciting seeing what pairings comes out of each country.”
The journey to qualifying for Milan Cortina in 2026 starts in the Fair City with many eager pairings including three former World Mixed Doubles Champions and nine Olympians in the line-up looking to put their names on the national trophy this weekend.
“The in-house NCA matches have been really competitive, with lots of really close games so I think we have some really strong pairings this year going into the Scottish,” she said.
“That can only be a good thing as, given the strength of the those games and the field at the Scottish this week, whoever earns that selection knows they have been through a really tough process against some really good opposition to get to the worlds.
“Fay (Henderson) and Euan (Kyle) did really well at the Euro Super Series last year and Hailey (Duff) and Bobby (Lammie) won that event the year before, plus another of our Olympic gold medallists Mili Smith is teaming up with Gavin Barr this year.
“That, as well as my team mates and Fay’s team mates pairing up with members of the top men’s teams, means there will be a really high standard of play and I cannot wait to get going.
“Bruce and I haven’t had much time together this year, but we have had some sessions this week and because we have played together for so many years we tend to click back in really quickly and just really enjoy being back together again.
“It is a quick form of the game and really entertaining to watch so I am looking forward to being back at Perth again.”
That need to tap into their familiarity and team dynamic was reinforced by partner Bruce Mouat, who skipped his men’s team to world champs glory last season and would relish the chance to return to the top of this discipline, which would also mark his seventh appearance at those champs.
“We would love to head back for our third worlds together,” he said.
“We have had a lot of good championships together which has given us a lot of experience so we will lean on that this week.
“It offers a nice contrast to the men’s and women’s game but it is becoming very competitive and I love taking part in both disciplines.
“In 2021 we won the world title and we are always hoping to get back to that sort of level.
“Competing for the world title is what we would be targeting if we do get that chance to get back there again.”
Play gets underway tomorrow at 9.00am.
Please visit the Scottish Curling website for the draw and results.
Images: Team GB / David Pearce
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