Canadian duo prevails in first game at the 2025 World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship

Ina Forrest (Spallumcheen, B.C.) and Mark Ideson (London, Ont.) came out of the gates firing Tuesday night at the 2025 World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Stevenston, Scotland, with a 7-5 win over Team Italy.

Forrest and Ideson played a steady game in what was their first mixed doubles match at a World Championship. The two athletes, used to playing on the four-player team, quickly overcame the new challenge on Tuesday.

“It’s pretty jittery,” said Forrest. “You almost feel like a rookie again, starting with the new discipline, but it’s nice to get the first game out of the way and have a W to go with it. It was such a relief.”

The Canadians played a really strong game, and Team Italy gave them everything they could handle. The Italian team made at least one key shot every end and put some pressure on Forrest and Ideson with its timely shot-making.

In the seventh end, the Italian last-rock thrower came up short on an open draw to the eight-foot to end Italy’s power play, which led to giving Canada the hammer for the eighth end with a 5-5 score.

The highlight of the game was Forrest making three great shots in a row in the eighth end which positioned Canada for the win.

“I think going forward, we just want to see that we’re throwing the weight we want to throw, hitting the broom, and making the shots,” said Forrest. “So, if we continue to do that, then at least we can feel good about our game even if it doesn’t go our way.”

The matchup on Tuesday evening was an anticipated one, as Team Italy is known for their strong presence in the mixed doubles field.

Team Italy won the bronze medal at the 2024 World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in South Korea with an 8-4 win over Team Japan. The team is arguably one of the most improved countries in the ramp-up to the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Games and qualifies by default as the host nation.

On Wednesday, Canada will take on Team Czechia at 9 a.m. and Team Estonia at 4 p.m. (all times Eastern).

All games will be available to watch live on the Curling Channel.

For live scores, standings, and statistics for the 2025 World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, click here.