Team Sargon steal NZ Mixed title
Mixed
8 Jun 2024 – Brett Sargon, Holly Thompson, KJ Fourd and Olivia Russell are the 2024 NZ Mixed Curling Champions after winning a close final at Paradice Avondale during King's Birthday Weekend.
They stole the last end to claim a 6-5 win and deny Sasha Goloborodko, Nikita Derevianko, Juliet Charko and Doug Charko the title.
Two pools of six teams entered the event, with the schedule set to work around other users on the multi-use Paradice rink.
Team Sargon had an early setback as they were beaten 6-3 by Temika Apuwai-Bishop's Dunedin side in the second round of pool games. These two teams topped Pool A, both with 4-1 win-loss records, to qualify for the semi-finals.
Team Will Sheard topped Pool B with four wins, with the other 5 teams winning two matches each. However Team Goloborodko drew their match with Sheard, and the extra point from that result was key to Goloborodko joining Sheard in the playoffs.
Team Sargon hit form in the semi-finals, downing Team Sheard 10-4. The other semi was much tighter, with Sasha Goloborodko's foursome stealing the eighth end to head off Team Apuwai-Bishop 6-5.
Monday evening’s finals were a close affair, with Sargon claiming gold and Goloborodko the silver. The bronze medal match was also a close affair, claimed by Team Sheard 5-4 over Team Apuwai-Bishop. The contestants selected Brogan Powlesland for the Spirit of Curling award.
Speaking at the prize-giving, organiser Sandra Thomas expressed her thanks to The Lion Foundation for the grant that kept the event affordable, and to Daily Bread for the delicious pastries to fuel the contestants.
She was grateful to all contestants who helped in the setup each session, and had special thanks for Ken Clasper and Merran Anderson for their commitment in umpiring throughout the weekend.
The winning side now have first option to represent New Zealand at the 2024 World Mixed Championship, scheduled for Aberdeen, Scotland in late October.
Final Standings
| 1 | Brett Sargon, Holly Thompson, KJ Fourd, Olivia Russell |
| 2 | Sasha Goloborodko, Nikita Derevianko, Juliet Charko, Doug Charko |
| 3 | William Sheard, Eleanor Heald, Benjamin Frew, Tahlia Petersen |
| 4 | Temika Apuwai-Bishop, Jayden Bishop, Grace Apuwai-Bishop, Keith Clearwater |
| 5= | Lorne DePape, Jo Olszewski, Dean Fotti, Chelsea Suddens |
| 5= | Hunter Walker, Rachael Pitts, Murray Pitts, Ruby Kinney |
| 7 | Matt Whineray, Liz Matthews, Rhys Greensill, Sandra Thomas |
| 8 | Brogan Powlesland, Claire Suen, Nick Steuart, Chanté van Dyk |
| 9 | Abraham Changwong, Trinity Cowie, Daniel Yang, Mia Bishop |
| 10 | Micky Ng, Steve Charko, Sophie Norman, Brian Peel |
| 11= | William Day, Lucy Jefferies, Oscar Cao, Sophie Tran |
| 11= | Kieran Grieve, Jennifer Jack, Jack Millar, Katrina Shepard |
| Spirit of Curling | |
| Brogan Powlesland | |
Opening ceremony
Champions, Team Sargon
Silver medallists, Team Goloborodko
Bronze medallists, Team Sheard
Fourth place, Team Apuwai-Bishop
Spirit of Curling winner, Brogan Powlesland (R)
Brett Sargon, Nikita Derevianko and Sasha Goloborodko in the final
Brett Sargon, Nikita Derevianko and Sasha Goloborodko in the final