CALGARY, Alta. — The opportunity to compete in the 2021 Home Hardware Canadian mixed doubles curling championship provided much more than wins and losses for two Summerside siblings.
Although Lauren and Alex MacFadyen, who curl out of the Silver Fox in Summerside, entered Monday night’s late draw 0-5 (won-lost), the P.E.I. representatives were both looking at the big picture in a phone interview with the Journal Pioneer on Saturday afternoon.
“The teams in our pool are very good and have a lot of experience in mixed doubles,” said Lauren, 24. “So far, the experience has been incredible to be able to come out to the bubble, and to be able to curl on that type of ice surface is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“To be able to curl against these people you grew up watching on television is another incredible experience. It’s been a great time so far.”
Some of those curlers, Lauren said, are Mark Nichols, third with the Brad Gushue rink; two-time Olympic gold-medallist John Morris, and skip Jennifer Jones.
“That’s been cool to be on the same ice as them,” said Lauren. “When you grew up watching them on television, and now you are curling one sheet away from them, it’s a really cool experience.”
Alex said playing on arena ice has required an adjustment.
“It’s taking some time to get adjusted and figure out where to put the broom,” said Alex, 22. “It’s a lot faster, and it will curl three feet more than normal curling club ice.
“For a draw, you are at the middle to edge of the 12-foot, whereas in Summerside you are aiming for the middle of the eight-foot, maybe. Calling line is a bit tougher because we are not used to (the ice).”
“The teams in our pool are very good and have a lot of experience in mixed doubles. So far, the experience has been incredible to be able to come out to the bubble, and to be able to curl on that type of ice surface is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To be able to curl against these people you grew up watching on television is another incredible experience. It’s been a great time so far.”
- Lauren MacFadyen
The daughter and son of David and Susan MacFadyen earned the right to represent P.E.I. by winning the provincial mixed doubles championship in late January. Lauren and Alex also played in a mixed doubles league at the Silver Fox during the 2020-21 season.
In mixed doubles, teams throw five rocks per end. Lauren makes the first and last shots while Alex throws the second, third and fourth rocks.
“A lot of these teams have a lot of experience with mixed doubles, and this is Alex and I’s first year curling in it,” said Lauren. “We are learning a lot strategy-wise on the shots that we could have maybe called differently.”
Alex agreed there are more rocks in play in mixed doubles than in four-person games.
“You want to try to get ahold of the four-foot before (your opponents),” added Alex. “It’s definitely different from a normal game for sure.”
Jason Simmonds is a sports reporter for the SaltWire Network.
