Finland hosts World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship for the first time


Posted: Dec 11, 2021 | Updated: 5 months ago

The World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship will take in Finland for the first time ever from April 30 to May 6 next year.

This inaugural championship is set to take place at the Kisakallio Sports Institute in Lohja less than three weeks after the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games.

Lohja was originally due to play host to the inaugural edition in January only for it to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the World Curling Federation President, Kate Caithness, the World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship plans to feature upwards of 25 teams and will see one female and one male player per team.

“It’s very exciting to see wheelchair curling add a new discipline to the sport following its global exposure at the Paralympic Games,” Caithness said.

“Adding this World Championship to our season’s calendar is vital in order to move forward with the mixed doubles discipline which has been added to the Paralympic programme in Milan Cortina 2026.”

Caithness added: “Having our wheelchair players experience the fast-pace play of mixed doubles at a World Championship will not only increase their skillset on the ice, but also it will provide additional opportunities for teams to compete internationally.”

“Many thanks to our partners at the Kisakallio Sports Institute and Finnish Curling Association for stepping up to host this first edition of the championship.

“They continue to push the boundaries for holding the most World Curling Championships within the last decade and we are confident they will put on a great event once again.”

The head organiser of the Kisakallio Sports Institute, Lauri Ikaavalko, said they were proud to be the first-ever hosts of the event.

“With our vast history in hosting the World Wheelchair Championships we are delighted to welcome the athletes to our specially designed facility,” said Ikaavalko.

“Our venue is perfectly suitable for this championship because everything is nearby, it is designed for both wheelchair curlers and able-bodied athletes. Since hosting championships in the past, curling in Finland has continued to increase in popularity and we hope this championship provides the same opportunities for our local curling community.”

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