The married duo of Kadriana Lott and Colton Lott, skating out of Gimli, Manitoba, wrapped the world mixed doubles championship in Geneva with a convincing 11-3 win over Italy’s Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner. That victory earned Canada a spot on the podium and snapped a multi-year medal absence at the tournament. Across the match the Canadian pair displayed consistently high execution, posting an overall shooting accuracy that outpaced their opponents, while using strategic options to convert key ends into multiple-point scores.
Throughout the contest the Lotts combined aggressive stone placement with disciplined sweeping, forcing errors and capitalizing on them. Their performance included two four-enders and one three-ender, big swings that tilted the scoreboard early and removed any realistic comeback path for Italy. The pair’s teamwork and experience—Colton arriving fresh off a silver at the men’s worlds with Team Matt Dunstone earlier in the season—helped them read the ice and apply pressure. For Kadriana, the result marked her first career world championship medal; for Colton, it was a second international podium in the 2026-26 season.
How the game unfolded
The match opened with a pivotal mistake by the Italian side: a draw that came up light, leaving an opportunity the Canadians seized to tally four in the first end. That early momentum set the tone and, with a sustained edge in shot-making, Canada accumulated scoreboard advantages rapidly. Their overall match shooting percentage reached 89 per cent compared with Italy’s 65 per cent, reflecting precision on both draws and takeouts. After the explosive opening, the Lotts continued to press, converting chances and preventing Italy from establishing consistent offense.
Key tactics and decisive moments
A turning point arrived in the sixth end when Canada deployed a power play to craft a draw for four that effectively sealed the outcome. The successful use of that strategic option, coupled with continuous pressure forcing Italy into low-percentage shots, prompted the Italians to concede the final ends. Colton described the importance of maintaining pressure and hunting for errors, while Kadriana reflected on the significance of reaching a world podium together. Their approach blended deliberate strategy with opportunistic execution—an effective formula in mixed doubles, where momentum can shift rapidly.
Execution under pressure
Mixed doubles rewards quick decisions and precise angles; the Lotts demonstrated both. In early ends they exploited opponents’ timing and stone placement mistakes, then converted with high-percentage shots. The pair’s communication and tempo control allowed them to anticipate opponents’ options and respond accordingly. With their coordinated sweeping and shot selection, they forced opponents into difficult raises and line calls, creating turnovers that translated into multi-point ends. The result was a match flow dominated by Canada’s ability to maintain advantage when it mattered most.
Context and broader results
Canada’s bronze is notable as the country’s first mixed doubles medal at the world championship since 2019, restoring a presence on the global podium. Canada had earlier fallen to Sweden in the semifinals, which kept the Lotts from competing for gold, but they rebounded strongly for third place. Meanwhile the gold-medal match saw Australia’s Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt defeat Sweden’s Therese Westman and Robin Ahlberg by an 8-4 margin. The Geneva event highlighted how mixed doubles strategy and split-second execution have evolved, with national teams leaning on experienced partners and specialized tactics to gain an edge.
What this means going forward
For the Lotts, the bronze adds momentum and more international experience to carry into upcoming seasons and events, especially with Colton’s recent men’s worlds silver underscoring his strong form. The medal also signals Canada’s continued competitiveness in mixed doubles after several years out of the world podium spots. Looking ahead, the pairing will likely build on the tactical successes in Geneva—particularly their effective use of the power play and disciplined shot-making—to prepare for future championships and selection processes. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2026.
