Ontario’s Ideson/Henry Lead the Pack at U21 Mixed Doubles Qualifier.

While the nation’s top Mixed Doubles players compete for a national championship in Surrey, B.C., the next generation of doubles specialists is competing for another major prize in Sudbury, Ont. 

The Canadian U-21 Mixed Doubles World Qualifier isn’t technically a national championship, but it is awarding a berth to the World Championship to the winner of the eight-team event. 

The tournament at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports complex began on Tuesday, and will conclude Friday. Halfway through the competition, the Ilderton, Ont.-based team of Brooklyn Ideson and Owen Henry lead the pack with a 4-0 record. 

“We’re feeling good about our start, but there is still a lot of work ahead,” said Ideson, daughter of four-time Paralympic medalist Mark Ideson. “For now we’re focused on getting as comfortable as we can with the surface and rocks to set our selves up well heading into the next few games.” 

The eight teams present qualified through two regional tournaments; one in Edmonton and one in Guelph, Ont. So far the eastern qualifiers have the advantage with Ideson and Henry undefeated, while New Brunswick’s Bethany Evans and Sahil Dalrymple sit in second with a 2-1 record. 

“We expected some strong competition,” said Ideson. “And that’s definitely what we’ve seen so far. IT feels like any game could go either way with such talented players in the field.” 

Round-robin play will finish on Thursday, with the top seed advancing directly to the final on Friday afternoon. The second and third place teams will face off in a semifinal on Friday morning. 

For Ideson, a place in that final would be a fitting end to a journey that began about fifteen years ago.  

“This is Owen’s last year of U21 curling,” said Ideson. “We started curling together when we were five years old, so being on this journey with him is so special. Wearing the Maple Leaf at a world championship would be icing on the cake!” 

Scores, schedules, and standings are available online at curling.ca/scoreboard.