Canada clinches Olympic mixed doubles curling berth, advances to playoffs

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This article was published 21/05/2021 (1836 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Show of hands. Who believes Kerri Einarson deserves to compete at the next Winter Olympics?

If there’s any justice in curling, the Gimli health-care professional will be in Beijing — some way, some how. She’s been instrumental in ensuring Canadian athletes will participate in both the women’s four-player and mixed-doubles competitions in February 2022.

Einarson and her playing partner, Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L., defeated the Czech Republic 7-6 in Aberdeen, Scotland to secure a spot in the championship playoffs and earn an Olympic berth for their homeland.

Only two weeks ago, she guided her crew — with third Val Sweeting, second Shannon Birchard and lead Briane Meilleur — over a similar hurdle at the world women’s championship in the Calgary bubble.

The 33-year-old mom of twin daughters admitted she’s brimming with pride — both personally and as an unabashed patriot.

“It means the world to me to be able to get Canada into the Olympics for the women’s and mixed doubles. It’s a pretty special feeling to know that you’ve helped your country get in,” said Einarson, speaking with the Free Press between games Friday.

“It’s a big responsibility and it’s always in the back of your mind. But at the end of the day, it’s a game and you play because you love it. Having that added pressure is hard but you push through it.”

Canada put a bow on a two-victory day with an 11-6 romp over Anastasia Moskaleva and Aleksandr Eremin of the Russian Curling Federation.

Einarson and Gushue finished the Group A round robin with a 7-2 record and will face Switzerland in a qualifying game Saturday at 4 a.m. (CT) for a spot in the semifinals.

The partnership’s focus now shifts to making history. Gushue and Einarson are trying to become the first Canadian team to prevail in the 13-year history of the mixed doubles championship. Canada has earned a pair of silver medals and one bronze during the last three competitions.

“That’s our next goal,” she said. “We’ve checked one box and now we focus on ourselves and do what we need to do on the ice, and just keep enjoying ourselves.”

There are no guarantees Einarson will be in China, as there is still much work to be done.

Einarson, whose quartet has won back-to-back national Scotties titles, and Gushue, the 2020 Brier champion, will both skip squads at the four-player Olympic trials in Saskatoon, Nov. 20-28.

If each falls short of the target, the duo will compete in the national mixed doubles Olympic trial, which runs Dec. 28 to Jan. 2 at a yet-to-be-announced location. It’s believed Portage la Prairie is in the running to host to the event.

Not surprisingly, the pair of brilliant shot-callers and shot-makers have each stated the priority is to qualify with their respective four-player teams, but Einarson said they’re fortunate to have that second chance in their back pockets.

“I’ve dreamed about the Olympics since I was a little girl and it would mean the absolute world to be there and have that Maple Leaf on my back,” she said. “Brad and I could have two opportunities… I think we’re both excited about the trials.

Manitoba already boasts Olympic gold-medallists in curling. The Jennifer Jones team from St. Vital — with third Kaitlyn Lawes, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn McEwen — captured the 2014 Olympic women’s title, and then Lawes added a second gold in 2018 in mixed doubles, partnered with John Morris of Canmore. Alta.

“I remember watching both and had goosebumps for them and what they’d achieved,” Einarson said. “That’s something I look up them for. They’re Olympians, and one day I want to be an Olympian.”

In Beijing, curling events will be staged at the National Aquatics Center, originally built for the swimming, diving and water polo events of the 2008 Olympic Summer and Paralympic games.

The 10-team mixed doubles tournament begins Feb. 2 — two days before the official opening ceremonies — with medals distributed a week later. The women’s and men’s events commence Feb. 9 and run for 13 days.

Einarson’s recent accomplishment came with strings attached. She had to undergo a doping test between games Friday, a World Curling Federation requirement from at least one member of the each team that obtained an Olympic berth for their respective countries.

“Maybe they think I’m (on steroids),” she joked, before adding “with all the sweeping I’ve done.”

Canada built a 4-1 lead midway through the contest, however, the Czech Republic tandem of Zuzana Paulova and Tomas Paul refused to go quietly.

A miss by Einarson with her final delivery of the fifth end handed Paulova an open takeout for a count of four and a one-point lead. But the Canadians immediately responded with a deuce in the sixth end to regain the upper hand, forced their rivals to take one in the seventh and then scored the decisive point in the eighth.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @WFPJasonBell