New Zealand curlers Courtney Smith and Anton Hood have fallen just short at the country's first attempt to qualify for the Mixed Doubles Curling competition at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. 

A last-stone loss in their pool game against the USA at the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Aberdeen, Scotland was the difference between fourth place in their pool (and with it a game for the seventh and final spot at Beijing), and their eventual placing of sixth in the pool and 12th overall in a field of 20.

Their participation at the Championship was only confirmed a few weeks before the Aberdeen event after the originally selected pair were unable to attend.

A last-stone loss in their pool game against the USA at the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Aberdeen, Scotland was the difference between fourth place in their pool. Photo: WCF / Céline Stucki.

Both Courtney and Anton have played at a high level domestically, and against international teams at Winter Games NZ tournaments. 

However, this was their first tournament together as a team in four years, and they had just five practice sessions together before they left for Scotland.

National coach Peter de Boer was full of praise for the duo, both aged 21.

"I am hugely proud, inspired and encouraged at what this pair has achieved," he said. 

"They were the youngest athletes at this World Championship, their first. With no funding available to us, they were also the only team there with no support crew of coaches, physios etc.

“Their efforts, a 4 win - 5 loss record and top-16 finish have secured automatic entry for NZ to next year's Worlds and the chance for us to again test ourselves against the world's best."

Courtney Smith says the kiwi duo, the youngest at the tournament, were privileged to have had the opportunity to compete against the world’s best. Photo: WCF / Céline Stucki.

“It’s been an amazing tournament to play in," said Courtney Smith. "There are some incredible teams here and the opportunity to play against them – what a privilege! 

“We have had so much support but a special thank you to Pete de Boer, without him wouldn't have performed as well as we did. 

“Anton has been a machine all week, throwing some amazing rocks, incredible sweeping and being a great teammate. I have learned a lot from him."

"We achieved one of our two goals here," added Anton, "which was to keep NZ in the top 16 and came close to achieving the second! Special thanks to Courts, she’s thrown well all week!"

New Zealand's second and final opportunity for Beijing 2022 will be an Olympic Qualification Event late this year. This will select the last two sides for the 10-strong Olympic field.

Anton Hood says he was happy they kept New Zealand in the top 16 and came agonizingly close to Olympic qualification. Photo: WCF / Céline Stucki.

The World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2021, staged in Curl Aberdeen, Scotland, and supported by EventScotland and UK Sport, came to a climax on Sunday (23 May) afternoon when the Host nation, represented by Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat, faced Olympic bronze medalists Norway – Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten – in the gold medal final.

The gold medallists were Scotland: Jennifer Dodds, Bruce Mouat, coach Greg Drummond, and national coach David Murdoch. (Continue reading below)

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The silver medallists were Norway: Kristin Skaslien, Magnus Nedregotten, coach Thomas Leovold, and national coach Pal Trulsen.

The bronze medallists were Sweden: Almida De Val, Oskar Eriksson, coach Sebastian Kraupp, and national coach Alison Kreviazuk.

Originally published on https://worldcurling.org

Photos courtesy WCF / Céline Stucki