2021 MIXED DOUBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SELECTION PROCEDURES
(STEVENS POINT, Wis.) – Due to the postponement of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling (originally scheduled for late February/March 2021), USA Curling, alongside the Athletes' Advisory Council, has established Athlete Selection Procedures for the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship.
12 teams will qualify for the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship the following ways:
Top six teams from the 2020 Mixed Doubles National Championship
Top four teams from a challenge round event that is scheduled to be held in January of 2021
Two highest ranking teams in the WCF World Team Ranking system, as of September 1, 2020
Should the challenge round be cancelled due to COVID-19, the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship will become an eight-team event.
Based on the Athlete Selection Procedures, eight teams have qualified for the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship:
Tabitha Peterson/Joe Polo
Cory Christensen/John Shuster
Sarah Anderson/Korey Dropkin
Monica Walker/Alex Leichter
Becca Hamilton/Matt Hamilton
Vicky Persinger/Chris Plys
Madison Bear/Andrew Stopera
Rebecca Wood/Shawn Banyai
The second ranked team in the WCF World Team rankings, Alex Agre and Derrick Mclean, have declined their qualification into the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship, as they have elected to focus on their roles with USA Curling. Consequently, the qualification spot has been extended to the third ranked team of Rebecca Wood/Shawn Banyai.
The winner of the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship will advance to represent the United States at the 2021 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, scheduled for April 24 – May 1, 2021 (location TBD). If the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship is cancelled because of COVID-19, the winners of the 2020 Championship will advance to the 2021 World Championship.
Additionally, as outlined in the Athlete Selection Procedures for 2022 Trials, the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship will serve as a qualifying event for the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling, as the top four teams from Nationals (that have not yet qualified for Trials), will advance to the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling.
The exact dates and locations for the challenge round and the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship are to be determined and will be announced a minimum of 45 days in advance.
Photo by Rich Harmer
