Colton and Kadriana Lott helped Canada open the world mixed doubles curling championship with a 6-4 win over South Korea, building momentum ahead of Sunday’s matches.
Canada began its world mixed doubles curling campaign with a controlled, confidence-boosting win, beating South Korea 6-4 in the tournament opener.
Colton and Kadriana Lott set the tone early by scoring three in the first end. forcing South Korea to play catch-up from the start.. The early burst mattered not just on the scoreboard. but psychologically—mixed doubles can swing quickly. and a strong opening reduces the pressure that tends to build when ice conditions are still settling.
The match stayed tight through the middle.. South Korea found momentum by scoring twice in the fifth end to narrow the gap to 5-3. a reminder that even when one team leads. a couple of misjudgments can change the shape of an end.. Kadriana Lott’s response came when Canada needed it most. landing a heavy hit to score once and push the score to 6-3.
That pivotal shot was as much about protecting the advantage as it was about adding points.. Colton Lott described the difficulty of the moment: Canada had to secure the single without allowing South Korea to generate a steal.. In curling terms. that’s a fine line between “make the shot” and “give the opponent nothing.” He stressed how close the margin was—just missing the steal can be the difference between a comfortable lead and a match that suddenly turns.
Canada’s ability to avoid surrendering momentum reflects what experienced mixed doubles teams are built to do.. The format demands quick decision-making and precise execution, with fewer players to spread responsibility across ends.. After an energetic start. the Lotts managed the rest of the game with an eye toward limiting risk rather than chasing every opportunity.
Kadriana also pointed to the opening-day nerves that come with major events.. Big championships often feel like a test of nerves as much as skill. especially when teams are still adjusting to the ice behavior.. Her comment captured the practical reality for many curlers: until you see how the rocks curl and how much weight carries through. there’s uncertainty.. Canada’s answer was immediate—get points early. then play the rest of the game on the comfort gained from a strong first performance.
Beyond this win, the backdrop is clear.. The Lotts are among Canada’s most decorated mixed doubles competitors, with multiple Canadian mixed doubles championship medals since 2019.. Their track record adds a layer of expectation. but it also explains why their opener looked less like a gamble and more like a plan working in real time.
Now the focus shifts to what comes next.. Canada resumes Sunday with matches against Finland and the United States. two opponents that often test teams in different ways—tempo. shot selection. and how aggressively they try to turn the game when a lead appears vulnerable.. For the Lotts, the priority will be building on the comfort they felt after the ice settled.. A 6-4 win is a strong start. but in a world championship. it’s also a launchpad: the goal is to keep elevating performance as conditions evolve and the field tightens.