Brett Gallant is set to create history at the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics by becoming the first Canadian curler to participate in two different disciplines during the same Winter Games. This move is expected to level the playing field, eliminating any advantage that some countries previously had when their athletes competed in both mixed doubles and four-player competitions at past Olympics.
In a strategic shift for this four-year cycle, Curling Canada revised its policy to permit players to take part in both events. This decision not only offers curlers two opportunities to aim for a podium finish but also provides teams with crucial insights into the ice conditions, rocks, and overall gameplay scenarios.
Team Jacobs coach Paul Webster expressed enthusiasm about Gallant’s unique position, stating, “We would love to have our training camp on the Olympic ice ahead of the Olympics. Brett just gets to do that for us. So we’re super excited.”
The curling action kicks off at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium with the mixed doubles event, where Gallant and partner Jocelyn Peterman are scheduled to start their campaign on February 4. Following this, Gallant will reunite with the Canadian men’s team led by skip Brad Jacobs for their initial match a week later. The Canadian women’s team, headed by Rachel Homan, will commence their journey on February 12.
Webster highlighted the advantage of having Gallant as an advanced scout due to his expertise in reading the ice, strategizing, and understanding the nuances of the game. With mixed doubles coaches Scott Pfeifer and Laine Peters supporting the team, they aim to gather valuable information on rocks and ice details.
All three Olympic teams, including Gallant, will participate in training camps in Europe ahead of the Games. Gallant expressed his satisfaction, saying, “It’s been a lot of hard work over the years to get to achieve some of these goals. So to see some of it pay off, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Previously, Curling Canada discouraged Canadian athletes from competing in both disciplines to prevent excessive fatigue and promote focused preparation for a single competition. Despite Canada’s strong history in curling, with 12 Olympic medals since 1998, the nation last claimed team gold at the 2014 Sochi Games in Russia.
Gallant and Peterman secured Canada’s Olympic berth last May at the world championship after winning the mixed doubles trials in January. Their early qualification offers Gallant the opportunity to acclimatize to the venue, ice conditions, and overall setup, potentially benefiting the entire team upon their arrival at the Olympic Games.
The final Olympic qualification event, determining the last two spots in the women’s, men’s, and mixed doubles draws for the Milan Cortina Olympics, is set to begin at the Kelowna Curling Club in B.C. This competition will feature eight teams each in the women’s and men’s events, while sixteen duos will compete in the mixed doubles category, with matches scheduled until December 18.