The 2021 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship is set to take place next week in Aberdeen, Scotland, May 17-23, 2021.

This year’s Championship will host the 20 best mixed doubles curling countries in the world to compete for the world title, as well as qualify the top seven countries for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China.

The mixed doubles team representing the United States is made up of Tabitha Peterson (St. Paul, Minn.) and Joe Polo (Duluth, Minn.) who have years of mixed doubles competitive experience under their belts as they won the bronze medal for the United States at the 2016 Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Karlstad, Sweden.

As winners of the 2020 U.S. Mixed Doubles Curling National Championship, Peterson and Polo not only qualified for the 2022 Olympic Mixed Doubles Trials but were also selected to represent the United States at the 2021 World Championship as the 2020 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship was canceled and the 2021 U.S. Mixed Doubles National Championship postponed due to the pandemic.

“I’m definitely excited to wear USA colors again,” said Joe Polo. “It’s been a long road to get back to competing on a world stage, so I want to make sure I make the most of it.”

Despite cancelations and postponements of events throughout the past season, Peterson and Polo have practiced together as much as possible, challenging other teams to scrimmages to best prepare themselves for international competition. Those practice weekends paired with the familiarity of competing together in high-level events has the duo feeling confident going into the Championship.

“Other than Tab being one of the best women’s players in the world, she has a personality similar to mine which allows us to feed off each other on the ice,” said Polo.

Peterson proving her talents are top tier after leading her women’s team to a bronze medal victory at the 2021 World Women’s Curling Championship just five days ago.

“I’ve had no lack of ice time recently, that’s for sure,” said Peterson. “I’m hoping to keep the ball rolling from women’s.”

Following Peterson’s pitstop home to reset between events, the pair arrived in Aberdeen earlier this week and is feeling ready to take on the world.

“I had 24 hours at home to regroup and repack and now I’m ready to compete with Joe for another world medal,” added Peterson.

Format:

Competing countries will be divided into two round-robin groups:

• Pool A: Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Korea, RCF, and Scotland

• Pool B: China, England, Estonia, Finland, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, Switzerland, and United States

The top three teams from each pool will then advance to the playoffs.

The top team from each pool will qualify directly for the semifinals, and the second and third teams from Pool A will play the second and third teams from Pool B in qualification games. The Winners of those games will advance to the semi-finals.

Click here to view more information on the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2021.

USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Goldline, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., 12th End Sports Network, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.