As the U-25 NextGen Mixed Doubles Classic progresses at Edmonton’s Saville Centre, the path to the playoffs is still uncertain. With more than half of the round-robin matches completed, it’s clear that the final standings will depend on the outcomes of the remaining games. Teams are battling through a rigorous five-game round-robin format, and only the top contenders will secure spots in the quarterfinals for a shot at the top prize of $3,000.
Among the standout teams are Jessica Zheng and Victor Pietrangelo from Niagara Falls, Ontario. These athletes, who were crowned champions in 2022 and runners-up in 2023, have started the tournament with an impressive three victories, placing them at the forefront of the Red Pool. Another notable team is Sterling Middleton and Juliana MacKenzie. Middleton, who clinched last year’s title with Kayla MacMillan, is now teaming up with MacKenzie and has also managed to secure three wins in the Red Pool.
In the White Pool, the competition is equally fierce. The undefeated teams, Mackezie Arbuckle/Aaron MacDonell from Winnipeg and Kaylee Raniseth/Evan Crough from Delburne, Alberta, faced off in a crucial fourth game. Raniseth and Crough emerged victorious with a 7-4 win, which likely guarantees their progression to the playoffs.
As pool play concludes, the top eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals, set to begin on Sunday night. Teams making it to the quarterfinals will earn $750, while those reaching the semifinals will secure $1,250. The ultimate champions will receive $3,000 in NextGen funding along with access to Curling Canada’s high-performance coaching and additional training opportunities. The runners-up will earn $2,000.
For those eager to follow the action, all matches are being streamed on Curling Zone’s YouTube channel. Detailed scores and schedules are available on Curling Canada’s official scoreboard website.