#BetweenTheSheets: The Power Rankings Return
Bring on the 1st updated Power Rankings of 2024
Happy New Year!!
Did everyone enjoy the holiday season? Celebrate with some great people and great food? Maybe a few great drinks?
Hopefully everyone within the curling family was able to step away from the rink and spend quality time with those most important to them.
And hey, maybe a few of you went to the rink with those special people and had some fun as well.
Either way, the blog wishes you all a Happy New Year and all the best in 2024.
Thank You for continuing to support the #TwineTime blog and podcast. It means a lot and hopefully the content in 2024 will keep you coming back from more.
A new podcast episode may be dropping next week too....just sayin' 😉
Now lets get to some curling, shall we?
While many of us were getting back into our regularly scheduled programming routines of return to work, kids back to school and realizing this nice weather is eventually going to turn into real winter weather soon, many of our curling athletes hit the ice this past weekend to ring in the new year.
Mixed doubles action was front and center with major events taking place in Alberta, Nova Scotia and Wisconsin.
And when the last rock settled, one nation dominated the competition.
Plus we had some men's and women's tour action in Scotland and Saskatchewan.
Lets break it all down on what you missed during the first weekend of 2024.
#TheRunback
🥌 Rocky Mountain Mixed Doubles Classic (MD) - Team Thiesse / Dropkin (USA) def. Team Papley / van Amsterdam (AB): The perfect weekend for the world champs to kick off the new year. The Cory/Korey duo went 8-0 to claim the title in Banff/Canmore. For Korey Dropkin, it is his 2nd title at this event after winning the championship in 2019 with former partner Sarah Anderson. The Americans knocked off new Alberta MD champs Team Sluchinski/Sluchinski (QF) and family duo Team Cotter/Cotter (SF) to reach the final. For the runner's up from Alberta, the loss in the final concluded a strong weekend of curling and an overall record of 7-2. They took the longer path to the championship final, having survived 3 playoff games defeating Team Sachkiw/Jacques (PO), Team Schmiemann/Ginter (QF) and Team Peterman/Gallant (SF).
🥌 MadTown DoubleDown (MD) - Team Anderson / Stopera (USA) def. Team Hamilton / Hamilton (USA): Sometimes the #CSideGrind can lead to champagne wishes and caviar dreams...just ask Sarah Anderson and Andrew Stopera. After losing the A-qualifer and their first game in the B-side, they navigated the C-side to reach the playoffs and continued their roll with playoff wins over B-qualifier Team Persinger/Casper (QF) and back-to-back playoff wins over A-qualifiers Team Walter/Schneider (SF) and Team Hamilton/Hamilton (F). The champions finished the weekend with a 8-2 record overall. For the Hamilton siblings, it was the shortest path possible to the final. After qualifying A-side, they picked up playoff wins over C-qualifier Team Farrell/Thurston (QF) and B-qualifier Team Walker/Muyres (SF) to finish with an overall 6-1 record.
🥌 Mixed Doubles Super Series - Halifax (MD) - Team Roenning / Braenden (NOR) def. Team Myketyn-Driscoll / McEachren (NS): The Norwegian champions rounded out a 7-1 weekend by hoisting the title. After reaching the playoffs with a 4-1 RR record, they knocked off Team Wasylkiw/Konings (QF) and Team Kim/Jeong (SF) to reach the final. Their fellow finalists took the longer path to the championship, needing to survive a TB after a 3-2 RR record. Their playoff path included wins over Team MacDiarmid/Jeffrey (TB), Team Skaslien/Nedregotten (QF) and Team Powers/Saunders (SF).
🥌 Perth Masters (M) - Team Mouat (SCO) def. Team Whyte (SCO): New year, same result. The European and world champions continued to show they are the best team in Scotland, picking up another tour title over main rivals Team Whyte. For Mouat, it marks the #4peat in Perth after winning the title in 2019, 2020 and 2023 (the event was not held in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic). The #DefendTheIce path for Mouat included a 4-1 RR record to qualify for the playoff bracket and playoff wins over Team Hostmaelingen (QF) and Team Brunner (SF). For Team Whyte, they qualified for the playoffs with a perfect 5-0 RR record and reached the final with playoff wins over Team Stocker (QF) and Team Waddell (SF).
🥌 Perth Masters (W) - Team Grandy (BC) def. Team Lockhart (SCO): The defending B.C. champs ensured it would not be a double-double weekend of Scottish champions in Perth. Team Grandy qualified for the playoffs with a 4-1 RR record (including a RR win over Lockhart) and picked up playoff wins over Team Blair (QF) and Team Inglis (SF) to finish the event with a 6-1 championship record. For Team Lockhart, they squeezed into the playoffs with a 3-2 RR record and recorded playoffs wins over Team Munro (QF) and Team Morrison (SF).
🥌 SaskTour Men's Players Championship (M) - Team Knapp (SK) def. Team Laycock (SK): The defending #TeamGreen champions find themselves starting 2024 right where they want to be, as SaskTour champions. Team Knapp showed why they remain a team to watch out for heading into the SK Tankard after posting an impressive 6-0 record over the weekend. After receiving a bye to the SF round, Knapp knocked off Team Bernath to clinch a spot in the final. For Team Laycock, they finished the weekend with a 4-3 record overall. After losing their opening 2 games, including a loss to Knapp, they rebounded to win their next 2 games and squeak into the playoffs. To reach the final, Laycock knocked off Team Kalthoff (QF) and Team Kleiter (SF) to once again prove the name Steve Laycock remains one to be weary of in Saskatchewan.
🥌 SaskTour Women's Players Championship (W) - Team Ackerman (SK) def. Team Mitchell (SK): Chalk up a perfect 6-0 weekend for Skylar Ackerman and her team in claiming the SaskTour women's title in Yorkton. After the 4-0 RR record, Ackerman only needed to defeat Team Orsted in the SF to reach the final. For Jessica Mitchell and her team, after losing their opening RR game, they ran off 3 straight wins to reach the playoffs. Similar to Ackerman, they only needed 1 playoff win to reach the final, defeating Team Martin in the SF.
It is also worth noting provincial qualifiers were wrapping up as well as provinces and territories prepare for their upcoming championship events.
As we found out earlier on Monday, Nunavut will unfortunately not be sending a women's representative to the Scotties in Calgary.
From a #growthesport perspective, this is quite disappointing and sad to see. We have seen the territory become more competitive over the years and seem to be making great slides forward. Hopefully this is a minor and temporary setback towards the growth of curling up north.
With Nunavut withdrawing from the competition, an extra spot in the field has opened up.
We knew 1 last Wild Card spot would be awarded once the provincial/territorial championships were finalized and it would go to the highest non-qualifying team on the CTRS.
This second (4th overall) wild card spot will now go to the 2nd highest non-qualifying team on the CTRS.
If you want the pre-preview of who is in the best position to gain from the Nunavut announcement, check out the updated CTRS HERE.
Right now, Manitoba and Alberta appear to be the big winners and could gain an extra representative.
And with Calgary serving as host, we could see 2 or 3 Alberta women's teams on the ice representing the home province. Imagine what that could do for ticket sales and interest.
Of course LOTS can change on those rankings between now and when those final 2 wild card spots are awarded....so don't get TOO excited just yet.
It is also worth noting, Nunavut will be sending a men's team to the Brier in Regina. The Nunavut men's championship took place the week before Christmas in Iqaluit.
Team Shane Latimer won the championship, posting a 5-1 RR record and defeating Team Wade Kingdon in the final.
Congrats to Team Latimer and best of luck in Regina representing #TeamArctic.
With the results of this past weekend fresh in our minds, lets go mountain climbing and see how the Power Rankings look at the start of 2024.
And since mixed doubles was the focus of the weekend, lets give the discipline top billing.
Remember, the parenthesis number behind each team is where they were ranked in the end of 2023 Power Rankings post.
#PowerRankings
MIXED DOUBLES
1. Team Walker / Muyres (1)
Last Week: MadTown DoubleDown - SF
Another deep playoff run, after qualifying B-side, is enough to hold on to their spot atop the mountain.
For now...
2. Team Matsumura / Tanida (3)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles SuperSeries - QF
Are the Japanese champions back to their consistent ways?
A 4-1 RR record and QF appearance in Halifax is a good start to the new year. Can they make a push for the top spot now?
3. Team Skaslien / Nedregotten (6)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles SuperSeries - QF
See above?
A similar result for the Norwegians as with the Japanese. A strong 4-1 RR record and a QF result overall.
Missed opportunity though to make a push for the #1 spot?
4. Team Roenning / Braenden (HM)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles SuperSeries - Champions
The Norwegian champs are back. A solid tour title win in Halifax against a very strong field will be a much needed boost to the confidence and gain some momentum for the second half of the season.
Watch out!
5. Team Thiesse / Dropkin (NR)
Last Week: Rocky Mountain Mixed Doubles Classic - Champions
Welcome back to the MD scene Cory & Korey.
The world champs proved why they are world champions and why, even if we do not see them a ton on the MD circuit this season, they are still a force to be reckoned with.
6. Team Cotter / Cotter (9)
Last Week: Rocky Mountain Mixed Doubles Classic - SF
A SF run in Banff/Canmore and a 5-2 record overall was a great start to 2024 for the father/daughter duo.
They also picked up impressive wins over Canadian champs Jones/Laing in the RR and a QF win over 2022 Olympians Gill/Hewitt.
7. Team St-Georges / Asselin (7)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles SuperSeries - QF
Unlike their fellow Top 10 duos below, the Quebec couple did make the playoff round in Halifax after posting a 3-2 RR record and surviving the TB.
The result was enough to retain their Lucky #7 spot on the mountain and avoid the tripping hazard bestowed upon some of their opposition.
8. Team Koana / Aoki (2)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles SuperSeries - DNQ
This was a surprise. The Japanese duo, who has been red hot all season, missed the playoffs with a 3-2 RR record. They didn't even qualify for the TB round.
Edit Note: They did have to withdraw from the event early due to illness.
9. Team Kaldvee / Lill (4)
Last Week: Mixed Doubles SuperSeries - DNQ
A similar result for the Estonians as their fellow former Top 4 ranked Japanese opponents.
Missing the playoffs, including not even a TB possibility, with a 3-2 RR record is a bit surprising.
10. Team Anderson / Stopera (NR)
Last Week: MadTown DoubleDown - Champions
Who saw that title coming for the American tandem?
After losing the A-qualifier and B-SF game, not many would have placed a bet on this duo surviving the #CSideGrind and claiming the title.
The mountain rewards great results, especially #TeamUpset victories.
Enjoy your spot on the Top 10 and welcome to the Power Rankings.
Honourable Mention: Team Hamilton/Hamilton, Team Armstong/Griffith, Team Papley/van Amsterdam, Team Zheng/Pietrangelo, Team Martin/Laycock
MEN
1. Team Retornaz (1)
Last Week: Did Not Compete (DNC)
The Italian Stallions do not fall off a mountain because they took the holiday season off.
Get ready to see them back on the ice this upcoming weekend as a tune-up to continue the chase for the Golden Slam in Red Deer.
2. Team Mouat (3)
Last Week: Perth Masters - Champions
When you #DefendTheIce and pick up a 4th straight title at a tour stop on home nation ice, you better believe the mountain will reward you for those results.
Mouat solidified their spot as the top Scottish team this season with another final victory over their main rivals as well.
3. Team Whyte (2)
Last Week: Perth Masters - Finalist
In the final Power Rankings of 2023, the #DearSanta letter from Team Whyte was to become Scottish #1.
They had their chance to make the argument a bit more interesting facing off against Mouat in the final in Perth.
Unfortunately they came up short.
We will see them in Red Deer chasing a slam win and then the big one: The Scottish Curling Championships at the start of February.
On the positive, Mr. July is earning a lot of 👀👀 for his 2024 Men of Curling calendar pic.
4. Team Bottcher (4)
Last Week: DNC
The top Canadian ranked team is preparing for the tour event in Lloydminster, an event they made happen.
They would love to win that event and head to Red Deer with some momentum for the Canadian Open.
5. Team Edin (5)
Last Week: DNC
The Swedes will also be in Lloydminster this weekend for their 1st event of 2024.
6. Team Dunstone (6)
Last Week: DNC
See above. The Sheriff will roll into the border-crossing town looking to make a name for himself.
7. Team Schwaller (7)
Last Week: DNC
See above as well with the Swiss ready to kick start the year in Lloyd.
8. Team Gushue (8)
Last Week: DNC
Yes, the theme continues. You know the drill. See above.
9. Team Brunner (HM)
Last Week: Perth Masters - SF
A strong result in Perth for the young Swiss team.
A 4-1 RR record, including a win over Mouat, is impressive. Sure they were bested by the Scots in the SF but going 1-1 against the Euro/world champions is a great way to start 2024.
They will now prepare for their #gsoc debut at the Canadian Open next week.
Do not sleep on this team!
10. Team Craik (9)
Last Week: Perth Masters - DNQ
When you go 4-1 in the RR and not qualify for the playoffs, well....how can the Power Rankings mountain really punish you?
Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you do not. Luck was not on Team Craik's side in Perth.
But the mountain will let them hold their Top 10 place regardless....at least for now.
Honourable Mention: Team Casper, Team Carruthers, Team Ramsfjell, Team Bryce, Team McEwen
WOMEN
1. Team Tirinzoni (1)
Last Week: DNC
The world champs are enjoying a prolonged holiday season before hitting the ice at the next #gsoc event in Red Deer next week.
2. Team Homan (2)
Last Week: DNC
The team may be taking some time off before the slam but skip Rachel was on the ice this past weekend competing in MD with partner Tyler Tardi.
They reached the playoff round in Banff/Canmore.
3. Team Gim (3)
Last Week: DNC
The busiest team in curling?
Not only will they be in Red Deer next week, they will first be competing this upcoming weekend in Italy.
They really love to curl....
4. Team Einarson (4)
Last Week: DNC
The Canadian champs will be back on the ice at the Canadian Open looking to gain some momentum before Scotties season rolls around.
5. Team Jones (5)
Last Week: DNC
Skip Jennifer Jones was also on the MD ice this past weekend, missing the playoffs in Banff/Canmore.
The foursome will want to gain positive momentum before the Scotties next week in Red Deer.
6. Team Hasselborg (6)
Last Week: DNC
The Circus has been closed for the holidays but expect to see the doors open once again in Red Deer.
7. Team Wrana (7)
Last Week: DNC
One of the quietest skips off the ice but one of the loudest on the ice. Don't believe me? Open your ears when watching the Canadian Open next week.
8. Team Constantini (8)
Last Week: DNC
This is an exciting upcoming weekend for the Italians. They have brought a tour event to Cortina and draw a nice international field.
They sure would love to win the title on home ice....perhaps foreshadowing a similar result in 2026?
9. Team Schwaller (10)
Last Week: DNC
Bumping them up the mountain because their threat level to the competition continues to grow.
And they will be on the ice this weekend in Italy.
Can they maintain their Top 10 spot with a strong result?
10. Team Grandy (NR)
Last Week: Perth Masters - Champions
The B.C. champs did hit the ice in Scotland and slid away with a tour title.
The victory earns them a return trip to the Top 10.
Welcome back to the mountain.
Honourable Mention: Team Rorvik, Team Morrison, Team Lawes, Team E. Kim, Team Han
#StayTuned
There will be a few events hitting the ice this upcoming weekend before the next GSOC event lands in Red Deer next week.
The blog will have the full preview of events in Lloydminster and Cortina, Italy later this week.
Until then, stay warm rock heads.
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