Playoff domination in Gangneung
Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States scored in five of the seven ends played in capturing the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship at Gangneung, Korea.
The solid 8-2 victory over Japan marks the first world gold for USA in the mixed doubles discipline and also the first ever WMD medal for Japan.
The match officials were called in early when USA opened the game with a steal of one after a three-way measurement.
In the second end, Japan’s Matsumura Chiaki and Tanida Yasumasa came up light on a draw to the button and USA stole two points for an early 3-0 lead. That set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Americans took control in the fourth end with a perfect tap through a port for two points and a 5-1 advantage.
Another steal came in the fifth end on the Japanese power play, when Japan’s final draw slid too far. USA led by 6-1 at this point.
In the seventh frame, Thiesse played a nose hit to score another pair for an 8-2 lead, whereupon Japan conceded defeat.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t1KAMWXiug[/embed]
The pair branded “Cory and Korey” were a wrecking ball in the playoffs, after they fired over 90 in shooting percentage against Canada in the semifinals after upended defending champions Scotland in the quarterfinals.
“I can’t even believe it, I’m definitely still speechless right now,” said Thiesse. “It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet, but it’s incredible.
“I’m just so proud of my partner, we had a great week and it’s just incredible.”
The new team was formed after the end of the previous Olympic quadrennial, and shot to prominence after winning the USA championship in Kalamazoo, MI.
It’s the first major curling championship title for USA since John Shuster’s men’s squad shocked the world by winning Olympic gold—at this same venue—in 2018.
The last podium appearance for USA women’s four-player teams at the world championship was a bronze, just two years ago in the Calgary bubble.
The latest podium appearance for a U.S. men’s worlds team dates back to 2016, where Shuster scored bronze.
Shuster was Thiesse’s mixed doubles partner during the previous quadrennial.
Japan’s Tanida Yasumasa said, “Today, our performance wasn’t great and they played really well. We started the week with eight wins in a row, so it was a fantastic week. And playing mixed doubles is very fun.”
In the bronze medal match, Norway defeated Canada 6-2.
Martine Roenning and Mathias Braenden held a 2-1 lead before stealing the fourth and fifth ends for a 4-1 advantage over Jennifer Jones and Brent Laing.
The teams swapped singles in the sixth and seventh ends with power-plays to take the score to 5-2 in Norway’s favour.
Another single steal in the eighth and final end clinched Norway’s win.
After the game, asked about his feelings, Mathias Braenden said, “Incredible! If you told me a couple of weeks ago, I’d be super happy. I think Thomas [our coach] helped us during the week and it worked out really good.”
Speaking of their power-play end, Norway’s Roenning said, “You know they’re gonna make some great shots because they’re just amazing players, so I think we were quite happy to get our one actually.”
Roenning played lead for the Norwegian women’s fours team that scored an unexpected world silver medal last month in Sandviken, Sweden.
“That’s amazing, I wouldn’t have believed that if you told me when the season started,” Roenning said. “It’s great and I’m so honoured to be playing on such great teams.”
Jones and Laing lamented their playoff run after going 8-1 in the round robin.
However, the memories of competing together for the first time in their lengthy careers will remain strong.
“It’s something I think we’ll always remember, being Team Canada together,” said Jones. “I thought we came and played really well here, and I’m super proud of what we did. It’s something we’ll never forget.”