Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds maintain perfect run in quest for Olympic glory and redemption

The curling mixed doubles duo defeated both Canada and USA to guarantee themselves a medal match in next week’s play-offs

Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds defeated Canada and the USA to make it seven wins from seven in the round-robin stage (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat have been here before, but this time they are determined to take their chance.

Britain’s mixed doubles curling pair guaranteed themselves a medal match after beating major rivals Canada and the United States to extend their winning run to a perfect seven.

Those victories secured a place in the semi-finals regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s matches against Switzerland and Italy, the latter a repeat of last year’s world final, which they lost narrowly.

Four years ago in Beijing, the two childhood friends also reached the last four but then threw away a winning position against Norway. They were shell-shocked again the following day as Sweden brushed them aside, winning with two ends to spare.

Dodds went on to claim Olympic gold as part of Eve Muirhead’s women’s rink, while Mouat skipped the men’s team to silver. Yet Beijing still rankles, making their dominance here all the more striking. They are the only unbeaten team heading into the final day of the round-robin stage.

However, Mouat is keen to go further. Finishing top of the group would give the Scots crucial 'hammer advantage' in knockout matches that normally go to the wire.

Hammer advantage is not simply about the final stone. It allows a team to dictate the shape, tempo and risk profile of an end and, in mixed doubles curling, where there are fewer stones and more pre-positioned rocks, it is even more influential.

The British duo defeated the only other unbeaten team, the USA, 6-4 on Saturday afternoon (AP)

“We’re not going to ease up,” said Mouat, who has found his rhythm after admitting his early tournament form was shaky.

“We’re going to try to keep the momentum rolling. Hammer is a big thing in our sport, so having that advantage in the play-offs is what we want. If we win both games, we guarantee it regardless of other results.”

Dodds, 34 and three years older than Mouat, has arguably been the player of the tournament so far. She again played a starring role in the 7–5 win over Canada and the 6–4 victory against the United States, the only other unbeaten team in the 10-strong competition.

“We’re really happy to have secured qualification,” she said. “Those were two big games against sides who both believe they can win this. We knew we had to step up because our last four matches were probably the toughest.

“We had to play our A-game on a very tight turnaround, so I’m proud of us. We’re going to keep the momentum and the shot-making at that level. If we do that, we can secure top spot.”

Jennifer Dodds has been one of the players of the tournament so far helping Team GB to secure a spot in the semi-finals (REUTERS)

Vicki Chalmers was part of the Muirhead rink that took bronze in Sochi 12 years ago and is providing expert analysis for Olympic broadcaster TNT Sports.

She believes the other teams are now running scared of the British pair, who must be considered the ones to beat in next Tuesday's final.

"They're dominant, the other teams are lying down to them," she said. "They are getting onto the scoreboard straight away and it sends a message to the teams - 'we are undefeated and that's why'.

“If they could get any more laid back, they'd be horizontal, they're very chilled. Jen is very high energy, she's like a Duracell bunny, but Bruce brings the calm. They bounce off of each other really well; they're a great combination."

TNT Sports on discovery+ will be the go-to destination in the U.K to watch everything of Milano Cortina 2026 live all in one place, with over 850 hours of action from every sport, venue, and medal event.