Following the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics and start of the Paralympics, I've caught some serious Olympic fever. I can't help but feel both excited and motivated with the 2022 Winter Olympics approaching in only less than half a year. Being the overly organized person I am, I've already created a custom schedule and results document for all three Olympic disciplines, complete with time zone conversions!
It's much too early to offer accurate predictions, but I certainly can give you each country and discipline's situation, along with some very VERY early predictions ('cause why not?).
Here is my Olympic Mixed Doubles early preview/predictions:
Mixed Doubles (Wednesday February 2- Tuesday February 8)
Seed #1: Great Britain
With the British National Academy in Stirling hosting a weekly mixed doubles league, recent world champs Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat are certainly not the only potential teams that could be selected for Beijing. Great Britain is one of a few Olympic Committees that will make a selection, unlike countries like Canada and the USA who will host trials in the coming months. Whether or not you're a fan of selection vs. trials, we have heard that Team GB will allow athletes to compete in both mixed dubs and mens/womens play.
Front-Runners for Selection: Jennifer Dodds/Bruce Mouat Top Teams for Selection: All of the highest ranking MD teams in the country belong to the Podium teams of Muirhead and Mouat. The only other team that could be considered in the running are the English Fowler duo. However, their performance at the recent Worlds in Aberdeen may have jeopardized their chances.
Eve Muirhead/Bobby Lammie
Vicky Wright/Grant Hardie
https://www.britishcurling.org.uk/news/british-curling-mixes-things-up-with-new-pairings-for-nca-league/
Seed #2: Norway
Another strong showing from the perennial "specialists" Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten at the World Championship, basically solidifying their bid for another Olympic medal. They'll be looking to improve on their Bronze medal in 2018 in a field where they very well could be one of only a few teams with Olympic MD experience come February.
Front-Runners for Selection: Kristin Skaslien/Magnus Nedregotten
Seed #3: Sweden
A shocking finish to Semifinal 1 in April stopped any chance of a double double for Oskar Eriksson (who some have said could be the best curler at the moment) at Worlds. Sweden, being another country with a selection, have already declared their representatives to be the recent World duo of Almida De Val and Oskar Eriksson. This will mark Sweden's debut in the Mixed Doubles event after just missing out on qualification in 2018. It's safe to say that all three podium countries from this year's worlds will be strong contenders, but Oskar may have an edge having already been to three Winter Games.
Representative: Almida De Val/Oskar Eriksson
https://www.si.com/curling/news/olympic-curling-advantage-sweden
Seed #4: Canada
Although not making the podium in Aberdeen, Canada is of course still in great shape coming in as the defending gold-medallists. With Curling Canada just announcing upcoming trials qualifying events and procedures, the picture of December/January's Trials field is far from clear. Many would come to expect that the six teams already qualified for the inaugural event could be considered front-runners if their respective four-player teams do not win the Roar of the Rings.
Front-Runners for Trials: Unclear, but Kerri Einarson/Brad Gushue for all intents and purposes.
Top Teams for Selection: Canadian Mixed Doubles Rankings and the 2021 Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship have determined the five other teams with direct berths in to the Trials.
Jocelyn Peterman/Brett Gallant (2016/2019 National Champions)
Jennifer Jones/Brent Laing (4th Place at 2017 Trials)
Nancy Martin/Tyrel Griffith (2019 National Runner-Up)
Rachel Homan/John Morris (2018 MD and Women's Olympic Representatives)
Kadriana Sahaidak/Colton Lott (2021 National Runner-Up)
Many would consider the Italians a surprise in this year's World Championship. Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner are both talented curlers and are easily one of the best in Italy despite not performing up to standards in their respective Men's and Women's Worlds. Beijing 2022 will also mark the debut of Italy in the Mixed Doubles category. Italy has not yet announced whether a Trials or a selection will be held. Mosaner participated in the 2018 Games, while Constantini would make her debut if paired up with Mosaner because interestingly enough, Alice Cobelli and Mosaner are two-time defending Italian champs. There isn't much insight on why Stefania went on to compete in Aberdeen.
Front-Runners for Trials/Selection: Stefania Constantini or Alice Cobelli/Amos Mosaner
Top Teams for Trials/Selection: Angela Romei/Joel Retornaz (2020 National Runner-up)
Seed #6: Switzerland
The Olympic Silver Medallists of Jenny Peret and Martin Rios appear to be in good shape to contest for another medal. The "specialists" were often inconsistent at times in Aberdeen, finishing with a 5-4 record in Pool B before losing to Canada in the Qualification Game (one that they arguably should've won). Despite a performance that was below their expectations, I would still consider the duo favourites heading into 2022. Many have talked about how many pairings who dedicate all their time and preparation to the mixed doubles format are now in jeopardy because more"elite" curlers than ever are contesting the doubles game (talk about Dodds/Mouat!) Despite this, I still have plenty of confidence that the Swiss duo will do well. We do know that Tirinzoni and either De Cruz/Schwaller will represent La Suisse, but mixed doubles is still unclear whether a trials or selection will be held.
Front Runners for Trials/Selection: Jenny Perret/Martin Rios
Seed #7: Czech Republic
Undoubtedly one of my favourite moments of the 2021 World Mixed Doubles was the celebration of Zuzana Paulova and Tomas Paul after beating the USA 8-6 in the Olympic Qualification Game. Clearly a huge moment for Czech curling, as the country will make it's curling debut in Beijing. The perennial contenders have represented their nation five times at Worlds, taking bronze in 2013. This team has already become a fan favourite among curling fans (or at least they are with me!) We'll have to see if Tomas' moustache will make an appearance in Beijing if selected or victorious as Czechia has still not been clear whether a Trials or Selection will take place.
Front Runners for Trials/Selection: Zuzana Paulova/Tomas Paul
Host Country: China
China has sent many different duos to World Championships over the years as they gear up for their first Winter Games hosting gig. The Chinese duo of Yang Ying/Ling Zhi finished with a 4-5 record in Aberdeen, finishing 6 out of 10 in Pool B. They also represented China in the 2020 World Mixed Doubles Qualification Event, which would ultimately grant them a place in this year's championship. A national selection is slated to take place later this year with the federation putting together teams to hopefully become successful on home ice under MD coach Tomi Rantamaki from Finland (who played alongside Oona Kauste in PyeongChang).
Front Runners for Trials: Unclear, but Yang Ying/Ling Zhi may have an advantage being Team China for the past one-two years.
Those are the seven nations qualified thus far for the Mixed Doubles tournament at Beijing 2022. Keep an eye out for another post dedicated to a preview/predictions for the Olympic Qualification Events for all three disciplines.
Early Ranking Prediction w/ Countries Already Qualified:
🥇Great Britain
🥈Sweden
🥉Canada
4 Norway
5 Switzerland
6 Italy
7 China
8 Czech Republic
Trying my best not to be biased to my favourite men's skip, I do think that Jen and Brucey have what it takes to snag gold in February. Both of them would be Olympic rookies but definitely not underdogs because of their experience (it was Bruce's 5th WMD appearance this year).
I do expect Sweden to reach the final as both De Val and Eriksson have shown to be clutch players. A GBR vs. SWE Gold Medal match would be of no surprise to me.
At the moment, Canada, regardless of representative, and Norway would round out my four playoff teams. Canada did end up "surprising" the mixed doubles world after capturing gold in Korea, but it may not be enough to catch up to GB and SWE who have shown to put plenty of emphasis on their mixed doubles programs. These three countries have historically prioritized the four-person game, but as of recent, mixed doubles continues to be on the back burner for much of Canada. Despite, this I again would not be surprised if the Canadian duo were to prevent the Norwegians from medalling for two straight Olympics.
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