By JIM BENDER
Colton and Kadriana Lott of Winnipeg Beach have been caught in a whirlwind on the ice since both competed at their respective national curling events, then won the Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship for the second straight year in 2025.
What followed was missing to qualify at the Canadian Curling Women’s Pre-Trials, the Men’s Trials and the Mixed Doubles Trials. But Colton won the Brier at third for Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone, and a silver at the ensuing World Men’s championship, interspersed with some Mixed Doubles Super Series success, and now, they’re off to represent Canada at the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Geneva, Switzerland, April 25-May 2.
“It’s been a lot of curling,” Colton said during a Curling Canada teams call. “For the first part of the season, there was lot of four-person prep for the Trials and then, we still had our practices here at home, but our focus on our four-person team took over from that. Then, after the fact, we got into a few (Mixed Doubles) events and did fairly well in all three of them. So then, it’s just been practise, practise, practise.”
They’re hoping that practice pays off as they aspire to become the very first Canadian team to ever win the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, being held in Geneva, Switzerland, April 26-May 2.
“There’s always a little bit of pressure,” conceded Colton, 30. “Leaning on past experiences with men’s Worlds and our (Mixed Doubles) Worlds, it kind of alleviates some of that pressure. Just with our capability, we know what we can showcase on the world stage. Obviously, Canada hasn’t won gold in this discipline and that’s what we’re setting out to do, and we couldn’t be more hungry and more driven to do so.”
The Lotts finished with an 8-1 record at their only previous trip to the Mixed Doubles World Curling Championship in 2024, but failed to medal.
“We’ve both been there before, so we know what to expect,” said Kadriana, 26. “It’s not something new. We’ve been to many Canadian national events, so that preps you a little — there are so many great teams in Canada to play against. The Worlds are obviously going to be a little bit tougher, but we know what we’re capable of. We still fight each and every game. Each game of ours is always a tough battle. So, we’re ready to do that throughout the week and hopefully, we finish it off with a strong ending.”
The Lotts have actually won two gold, two silver and a bronze medal since they started competing at the Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in 2019.
Both credit much of their success to their employers for being so understanding about their curling careers.
“We couldn’t get through our season without the support of our employers giving us the time to go and chase our dreams,” said Colton, a carpenter who works for Open Country Carpentry near Gimli. “It means everything. There’s no words that can fully describe how thankful I am and thankful we are for that support.”
Kadriana works for the Oakley Vision Center in Gimli.
“They’re wonderful,” said Kadriana, who also plays second for Saskatchewan’s Nancy Martin. “They’re always cheering me on. They’re texting me every step of the way … They’re just wonderful to have. It’s hard to do both. It’s hard to find a support system that backs you up and we’re so lucky to have both players able to do this all year round.”
Italy’s Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner will be defending their World Mixed Doubles title in Geneva, but there are few other well-known names there.
“There’s definitely a lot of different teams there, teams that we probably haven’t seen too much, but everybody’s good,” Colton said. “The games are played at a fast pace and kind of intense, so we just take it game by game and keep that focus within the group and try to put a lot of pressure on them, and keep moving forward, shot by shot.”
The Lotts warmed up for the Worlds by competing at a Super Series event in Dundas, Ont., April 9-12.
“We won the event,” Kadriana said. “We were undefeated throughout the whole event and had the best draw to the button, so that was kind of a good booster going into next week.”
Colton concurred.
“It was nice to get back together, especially after the men’s Worlds, and we’re in a good head space going in, feeling good,” he said. “And ready to rock.”
The Lotts relished the experience of competing at their first Worlds in 2024, even if they just missed medalling.
“Our last Worlds was great,” Kadriana said. “We lost the wrong game in our round robin, which put us back a step in the playoffs. But also, it was just so much fun. We’d love to end up on the podium at the end of this week, but we know whatever happens, happens. But knowing how well we did at the last Worlds, we’re ready to do the same thing. We need to give our all, we’re ready to make as many shots as we can and just play well as a team.”
Coach Scott Pfiefer certainly believes in the pair.
“Honestly, you have to coach each team differently, depending on their strengths and weaknesses,” he said. “But Colton and Kadriana, their curling sense is off the charts. They’re both great shooters so, for us, it’s just being behind the scenes supporting them and picking up the little cues that they need or reminders.
“They’re very accomplished curlers who have a lot of experience in Mixed Doubles, so we’re just there to support them, be on their side and help them with whatever they need.”
HACK CHAT
Colton Lott said he is looking forward to playing with Mark Nichols, the legendary third for Brad Gushue who will replace the retired E.J. Harnden at second for Dunstone.
“He’s a phenomenal player and just super, super excited to get that season started with the guys,” he said … Gimli skip Kerri Einarson has been inducted into the Manitoba Indigenous Sports Hall of Fame … Einarson has also parted ways with long-time third Val Sweeting and promoted second Shannon Birchard to third and lead Karlee Burgess to second. Jocelyn Peterman, who played second for both Kaitlyn Lawes and Jennifer Jones, will play lead and call the line for the skip’s shots.
