Injury Forces Moulding and Courtney to Withdraw from Mixed Doubles Curling Championship
CALGARY — Darren Moulding and Joanne Courtney were forced to withdraw from the Home Hardware Canadian mixed doubles curling championship on Sunday, following a back injury sustained by Moulding. The Alberta-based curler experienced back spasms overnight, rendering him unable to participate in their early draw at the Markin MacPhail Centre. After evaluating the situation, Moulding and Courtney made the difficult decision to withdraw from the event later in the day, as confirmed by Curling Canada in a public release.
Moulding expressed his disappointment over the outcome, particularly given the strong momentum the pair had built in the tournament. “This was not an easy decision because Joanne and I were doing very well together and I felt like we could accomplish something special,” Moulding said. However, he was grateful for the understanding and support from his partner. “Joanne could not have been more supportive and understanding.”
As a result of their withdrawal, opponents Kadriana Sahaidak and Colton Lott were awarded a 1-0 forfeit victory, automatically advancing to the next round. Despite this setback, Moulding remains optimistic about his recovery. Just earlier this month, he had helped secure a Canadian men’s team title, and he is now focused on getting back to full health for the upcoming world men’s curling championship. The championship, set to begin on April 2, holds significant importance for Canada’s Olympic qualifying aspirations.
Moulding is already undergoing physiotherapy in hopes of being fit in time for this crucial event. “The world men’s championship is extremely important for Olympic qualifying for Canada and I’ll be working hard and getting all of the necessary treatments to make sure my back is healthy in time for our opening game on April 2,” Moulding stated.
Joanne Courtney, who has been a stalwart on the Canadian curling scene, also shared her feelings about the difficult decision. She expressed her admiration for Moulding’s resilience and understanding the weight of the decision to withdraw. “Playing with Darren in mixed doubles was an absolute joy and I know how hard this hit him to have to withdraw, but I totally support our decision,” Courtney said. She further expressed hope that they might have another chance to team up in the future. For now, she will be supporting Moulding and Team Canada in their bid for the world title next month.
The Canadian mixed doubles curling championship has drawn 35 pairings this year, and the competition remains fierce despite Moulding and Courtney’s early exit. The top 12 teams will advance to the playoffs, set to begin on Tuesday. The mixed doubles final is scheduled for Thursday, where the champions will be crowned.
Moulding and Courtney’s withdrawal is a significant moment in the tournament, as they were among the strong contenders for the title. Fans will surely miss seeing their skillful teamwork on display, but the focus now shifts to Moulding’s recovery and Team Canada’s preparations for the world championship. Meanwhile, the remaining teams will continue to battle for the coveted mixed doubles title in what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable finale.
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