Courtney Smith, NZ v Canada
NZ must requalify for World Mixed Doubles
Mixed Doubles
5 May 2024 – Disappointment was an understatement for Team New Zealand's reaction to their result at the 2024 Word Mixed Doubles Championship in Ostersund, Sweden.
After gaining entry to the Championship from the World Qualifying event last December, they finished at the tail of their 10-team group and 19th overall, meaning NZ will miss automatic entry to the 2025 event and must try to re-qualify at the end of this year.
"We're obviously gutted about the result," said Hood, "and hope that whoever is the NZ team next year can follow in our footsteps from this year and get back to the Worlds. Then hopefully build on the result or get close to where we were in 2021."
He was optimistic when looking at the overall improvement in the country's recent international performances though.
"It's promising for NZ Curling to have teams qualify for the World Junior, Men's, Women's and Mixed Doubles Championships this year. So, whatever the NZCA can do to continue those results and further support those teams to succeed should continue to be their number one priority. There is an Olympics soon and NZ is on the cusp of something great across all genders and formats."
There were positives in NZ performances in Ostersund. Three of their eight losses were on the last stone, and they gave themselves a glimmer of hope by winning the penultimate game against Korea. With results being decided by millimetres though, accuracy in key moments was ultimately a deciding factor.
Sweden won the World title ahead of Estonia, Norway and Switzerland. Türkiye, France and Spain were relegated alongside New Zealand.
The winners of the 2024 New Zealand Mixed Doubles Championship will have first option to become the national side for the 2024-25 international season, and so represent NZ at the World Qualifying Event in December.
- World Curling full results
- NZ Curling updates: Facebook / Instagram
- Team Smith / Hood: Facebook / Instagram
- NZ record at World Mixed Doubles Championship
NZ Results
| Group B | Group B Standings | W | L | Qual | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ | 2 | - | 7 | Canada | 1 | Sweden | 8 | 1 | Q | |
| NZ | 2 | - | 6 | Netherlands | 2 | Canada | 8 | 1 | Q | |
| NZ | 6 | - | 8 | Czechia | 3 | Scotland | 6 | 3 | Q | |
| NZ | 1 | - | 7 | Sweden | 4 | Korea | 5 | 4 | ||
| NZ | 4 | - | 5 | USA | 5 | USA | 5 | 4 | ||
| NZ | 4 | - | 8 | China | 6 | China | 3 | 6 | ||
| NZ | 3 | - | 9 | Scotland | 7 | Netherlands | 3 | 6 | ||
| NZ | 8 | - | 5 | Korea | 8 | Australia | 3 | 6 | P | |
| NZ | 2 | - | 7 | Australia | 9 | Czechia | 3 | 6 | P | |
| 10 | New Zealand | 1 | 8 | >B | ||||||
| Q = qualified for playoffs >B = relegated, P = relegation playoff | ||||||||||
Team NZ, Courtney Smith and Anton Hood
Anton Hood, NZ v Scotland
Courtney Smith, NZ v Sweden
Anton Hood, NZ v Canada
Courtney Smith, NZ v Canada