WORlD MIxED DOUBlEs 2011 World Mixed Doubles Championship April 16-23 • st. Paul, Minn.
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SA made its first appearance in the playoffs of the World Mixed Doubles Championship as Americans Brady Clark and Cristin Clark advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Mixed Doubles Championship in April in St. Paul, Minn. Unfortunately, the Granite Curling Club duo were knocked out of the playoffs by France, 8-6. France went on to eventually earn the bronze medal. This is the best USA finish since the event began in 2008. The Clarks also improved on their performance from two years earlier when they finished 18th overall. It was the end of a productive week for the Clarks, who battled through the round robin and won their final three matches to earn a playoff spot with a 5-2 record. The Clarks, who have won eight U.S. mixed national titles together, wish they could take back a game decision in the fourth end in the playoff game against France’s Amaury Pernette and Pauline Jeanneret, when they went for a lower percentage shot with a big reward that backfired and swung the game in France’s direction. The U.S. tried a tricky in-off with the hammer that resulted in them removing their shot stone and France stealing two. The U.S. bounced back with three in the fifth end as Cristin Clark made every shot in that end. France answered with two in the sixth end. The U.S. countered by attempting to draw for two points in the seventh, but Brady Clark was heavy with his final draw and nudged his shot rock out of scoring position and France had a 7-6 lead. In the final end, Brady Clark used his final stone to attempt a runback to chip it out but couldn’t convert. Switzerland defeated Russia for the gold.
USA’s Cristin Clark (above) along with husband Brady Clark had a big year in 2011 as the couple won both the U.S. mixed doubles title as well as their third straight (and eighth overall) U.S. Mixed National Championship. The Clarks also welcomed a baby boy into their lives in July as Cristin was six months pregnant while competing at the World Mixed Doubles in St. Paul.
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