Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant of Team Canada compete against England during the round robin stage of the 2022 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, held on Wednesday, April 27, at the Sous-Moulin Sports Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP/The Canadian Press)
Canada's Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant saw their winning streak come to an end at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship on Monday. The Alberta couple, who had remained undefeated in their previous four games, lost 7-5 to Italy’s Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner in a crucial Group A clash.
Both teams entered the match with 4-0 records, making it a top-of-the-table battle. Canada held a comfortable 5-2 lead after five ends, but the tide turned quickly. Italy scored two in the sixth and stole a point in the seventh, levelling the match at 5-5. In a tense final end, the Italians, playing without the advantage of last stone, managed to score two more, sealing their fifth straight victory.
“It’s frustrating, but we’ll move on,” said Gallant after the match. “Italy made some incredible shots late in the game. We’ve got to focus on what we do best and stay in control of our game.”
One of the key turning points came in the eighth end. After Gallant missed a couple of tight runbacks, Constantini nailed a stunning double-raise takeout. Peterman then attempted to draw close to the button to win it for Canada, but her stone came up short.
“It was a tight game,” Peterman reflected. “There were a few shots that didn’t go our way, and she finished it off with a great one.”
Earlier that day, Peterman and Gallant had shown top form, dominating the Netherlands in a 7-3 victory, where they curled a combined 92%. At the same time, Italy beat Denmark 8-5 and Scotland cruised past Finland 9-2. However, in a surprising turn later in the evening, Scotland was beaten 10-7 by South Korea, moving them to a 4-1 record.
Looking ahead, Canada will face the South Korean duo of Kyeongae Kim and Jihoon Seong, who currently stand at 1-4. Gallant emphasized the importance of mental focus in bouncing back from losses. “In these kinds of tournaments, it’s all in your head. The physical prep is done. Now it’s about handling pressure and staying sharp with your strategy.”
The outcome of this championship, combined with next year’s world competition, will be crucial in deciding which seven nations qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Italy, as the host country, automatically gets a spot. The final two spots for the 10-team Olympic field will be determined at the Olympic Qualifying Event set for December in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Last year, the Canadian mixed doubles pair of Kadriana and Colton Lott placed fifth at the World Championships in Sweden. Peterman and Gallant are now determined to push forward and stay in the running for Olympic qualification.
