Home away from home!

Comfortable Team Canada takes fourth-straight win at 2024 World mixed Curling Championship

Team Canada stayed hot at the 2024 World Mixed Curling Championship Tuesday, locking up a steady 9-3 win over Team England’s Andrew Woolston (1-3) and improving its record to a Pool A best 4-0. 

And while a playoff berth has not been secured just yet, Team Canada, made up of skip Shaun Meachem, vice-skip Kelly Schafer, second Chris Haichert, lead Teejay Haichert and coach Pat Simmons, remains on pace to secure a spot in the 16-team playoff picture at Curl Aberdeen, Scotland. 

It’s safe to assume that Team Canada is feeling right at home at the Scottish coastal city, and for good reason. Vice-skip Kelly Schafer is a Scottish native who hails from Dundee, near Aberdeen itself, but now makes her home at Swift Current, Sask.  

And while having a little homefield advantage is a perk, Schafer’s wealth of international curling experience and loaded trophy cabinet proves she can ball in any venue. Schafer boasts three Women’s World medals: two bronze (2007 at Aomori, Japan and 2017 at Beijing) and one silver (2010 at Swift Current, Sask.) while representing Scotland and was a member of Team Great Britain at the 2010 Winter Olympics for skip Eve Muirhead. She also possesses four European Championship medals, including gold in 2017 at St Gallen, Switzerland, all for Scotland. 

The 2024 World Mixed championship marks the first time the now dual citizen has donned a Maple Leaf however, and it’s an opportunity she’s relishing. 

“It’s a privilege when you get to play for any of your countries and represent with your name on the back,” said Schafer. “It’s pretty cool. For me, to have that Schafer name on the back of a red jacket is pretty exciting.” 

Scottish curling fans have also taken a liking to Team Canada thanks to Schafer’s influence.  

“Even with all the fans we have over, there’s so many red jumpers spectating,” said Schafer. “Just knowing lots of people here in Scotland as well, everybody seems to be rallying for Team Canada just because of the connection there.” 

You can never have too many fans cheering you on, and Schafer agrees. 

“We’ll take as many fans as we can,” said Schafer. “I’m proud to be wearing the maple leaf now.” 

Team Canada will have its first two-game day at the 2024 World Mixed Curling Championship Wednesday; first taking on Team Czechia’s Krystof Tabery (3-1) at 7 a.m., (all times Eastern), followed by Team Philippines’ Chad Alojipan (0-4) at 3 p.m. 

Event information, rosters, and draw can be found at https://worldcurling.org/events/worldmixed/.  

All sheets and draws of the World Mixed Curling Championship will be available to stream live on The Curling Channel.