Team British Columbia perfect on opening day at 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship

Team British Columbia’s Miles Craig (Victoria) created some room atop the Pool B leaderboard with two wins on opening day at the 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship from the Assiniboia Curling Club in Saskatchewan.  

The Victoria unit, completed by vice-skip Steph Jackson-Baier, second Chris Baier, lead Sarah Loken, and coach Carley Sandwith-Craig, first dispatched Team Alberta’s Jessie Hunkin (0-1; Edmonton) 5-3 in Draw 1, and were quickly back in action in Draw 2, securing a 6-5 win over Team Nova Scotia’s Brent MacDougall (1-1; Halifax). 

“Biggest key so far has been the team having a lot of experience playing together,” said Steph Jackson-Baier. “And knowing how to have fun out there.”

The win over Team Nova Scotia could prove to be crucial as the week progresses as the Bluenosers were the only other undefeated team to take to the ice for a second game on Sunday evening. 

“We knew we were going to have a tough first day,” said Jackson-Baier. “We planned to keep it simple, learn the ice quickly and play it end by end knowing these we two of the toughest in our pool.” 

Things didn’t begin quite as rosy as they finished for Team B.C., however. After falling behind 3-0 after two ends, Craig and co. charged back in the third. Team British Columbia played textbook “deuce-force-deuce” curling for three ends to knot the match at 4-4 before a clutch steal of one in the sixth gave it its first lead of the game.  

After forcing Team Nova Scotia in the seventh, Team British Columbia would cruise into the eighth with hammer and secure a single to take the win. 

Sunday’s success is a result of careful planning for Team British Columbia, who understand and respect the gravity of representing the Pacific-coast province. 

“We arrived a few days early to make sure we had some extra time to prepare for the big first day,” said Jackson-Baier. “This is my 10th time wearing the B.C., crest and every single time it’s a privilege and honour. We take it seriously and we have a tonne of pride no matter how many times we get the opportunity.” 

And while a two-win day is a delight, the challenges for Team British Columbia began before the event had even begun, as coach Sandwith-Craig was originally listed as the team’s lead, but had to transition to coach. Thankfully, Team Kayla MacMillan (Victoria) lead Sarah Loken was available and ready to hit the ice as a spare fresh off a runner-up appearance at the 2025 Home Hardware Curling Pre-Trials. 

“Carley (was) not being cleared to play because of her pregnancy and we had to pull in a spare very last minute,” said Jackson-Baier. “However, we know Sarah well and we knew she’d perfectly. It’s been an adjustment, but the experience we have playing together has made it easy. Carley luckily was still able to join us as our coach and for that we are grateful as it wouldn’t have been the same without her here.” 

In other action Sunday evening, Team Ontario’s Sam Mooibroek (1-0; Kitchener/Waterloo, Ont.) earned an 8-2 win over Team Northern Ontario’s Charlie Robert (0-2; Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.). Team Newfoundland and Labrador’s Team Rob Feltham (1-0; Gander, N.L.) doubled-up Team Nunavut’s Peter Van Strien (0-1; Iqaluit) 6-3 while Team New Brunswick’s Rene Comeau (1-0; Fredericton) prevailed in an all-maritime matchup 6-4 over Team Prince Edward Island’s Eddie MacKenzie (0-1; Cornwall, P.E.I.). 

Recapping Draw 1 on Sunday afternoon, Team Saskatchewan’s Jason Ackerman (1-0; Regina) felt at home in an 8-3 win over Team Northwest Territories’ Betti Delory (0-1; Hay River, N.W.T.). Team Québec’s Yannick Martel (1-0; Chicoutimi, Que.) collected a 7-4 win over Team Northern Ontario’s Charlie Robert and Team Nova Scotia’s Brent MacDougall edged Team Manitoba’s Sean Grassie (0-1; Winnipeg) 5-4. 

Teams are split into two pools of seven for round-robin play, which ends on Wednesday. From there, every draw counts as teams keep their records and re-enter new pools on Thursday. 

From each pool, the top four teams advance to the Championship Pool to play the four teams from the opposite pool, while the bottom three follow the same structure in the Seeding Pool. This stage of the event runs until Friday. 

Action from the 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship will continue Monday with draws at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m., (all times Central). 

For the 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship live results, click here. 

For the full event schedule, click here. 

For ticket information, click here.