Newly crowned Scottish Champions Sophie Jackson and Duncan McFadzean have been selected to represent Scotland at the World Mixed Doubles Championships in Oestersund, Sweden next month (20-27 April).
Having made their way through a world class field at the national championships last weekend at the Dewars Centre in Perth, the pair are looking forward to making their debut together at this event.
“I jumped in the air I was so ecstatic when I got the selection call,” admitted McFadzean, who will be representing Scotland at a World Championship at senior level for the first time.
“I was hopeful and nervous at the same time when Greg Drummond (British Curling Olympic Head Coach) called me and it was a combination of relief and being over the moon.
“I am incredibly excited and honoured to get the chance to represent Scotland it is what we all work for all year round.
“To now have this on the horizon when normally you would only have two events left in the season is a great motivation boost.” 
McFadzean, who added his name to the Scottish Men’s Championship trophy when Team Whyte won the prestigious tournament in Dumfries last month for the first time, followed that up just a fortnight later with another national title and he believes that he and Jackson have the perfect chemistry to challenge the world’s best.
“I think Mixed Doubles is the most demanding discipline,” said the 24 year old.
“Both physically and mentally, there is more pressure because there are just the two of us out there on the ice.
“But to have Sophie as my team mate is just brilliant.
“She has been a very successful skip and a lead, so she has every shot in the book and it is a pleasure playing with her.
“We have a very solid programme at the National Curling Academy which ensures we are in the best shape possible for a week long physically demanding week at a Worlds and that combined with Sophie’s ability makes me feel both comfortable and confident about being at our first World’s together at the business end of the week and that is what we are targeting in Sweden.”
Having reached two consecutive Scottish Mixed Doubles finals and successfully navigated a field including three former World Champions in the discipline, McFadzean is keen that he and Jackson now test themselves on the global stage.
“Mixed Doubles has obviously become much bigger since its inclusion in the Olympics and I am really keen to see how we stack up in that kind of company,” he said.
Jackson will meanwhile be representing Scotland with Team Morrison at the Women’s World Championships this month in Nova Scotia, Canada from 16-24 March before returning to prepare with McFadzean for another Team Scotland appearance a month later. 
“Curling is my job and I put everything into it both on and off the ice, so to get this chance makes all of that worth it,” said Jackson.
“I find having a skip background very beneficial when making run-backs, doubles, big shots and I love calling line and the strategy of the game.
“It is refreshing to be able to switch between the two disciplines.
“It feels like we have an extended season with this event to look forward to and like Duncan I love this discipline and the opportunity it now represents with two Olympic spots to target at Milan Cortina.
“That is definitely on the radar but our focus now won’t be beyond the next six weeks.
“It is about working hard, getting those qualification points for Team GB and that feels realistic for now.”
Jackson’s team coach Ross Paterson will be working with the pair, along with Michael Goodfellow who will also be on the coaches bench in Sweden.
“To have that coaching continuity at both Worlds will be a huge asset,” said Jackson.
“We both have massive respect for Ross and Michael so we are delighted to be working with both of them,”
Please click here for more details on the World Mixed Doubles Championships.
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