Scotland’s Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat have earned a shot at regaining the World Mixed Doubles Championship title that they previously won four years ago after defeating Australia 9-6 in the semi-finals in Canada.
Up against opponents who had qualified directly for the medal matches by topping their qualifying pool, while the Scots had to come through a quarter-final against the USA, they started well by stealing a shot at the first end, only to fall behind when Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt responded with a two at the second, then a steal of their own to move 3-1 in front.
The match turned, however, on a superb double takeout by Dodds with the final delivery of the fourth end, which removed the only opposition stones in the house and left her team lying five to move into a commanding 6-3 lead. 
“Jen played an absolutely amazing shot for the five, a really good controlled weight and I just felt like she was going to make it,” said Mouat.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence at the minute and we’re just enjoying being out there.”
As the Australians tried to use their powerplay to get back into the match, it was the turn of the man who led his men’s team to the World Championship title last month, to produce a perfect double takeout to snuff out the threat midway through the fifth end.
Dodds was then put under some pressure at the sixth when she had to draw to the button with three Australian stones counting around the four foot, but she made it to restore a three shot lead at 7-4 and while they conceded a two at the next, they were still in a relatively comfortable position since they still had their powerplay available and duly used it to help seal the win.
“Once we got that jump we had a bit of control and we were able to position our rocks really well to cause them some issues, so I’m really pleased with how we performed today when we had two really tough games and we’re now looking forward to the last one,” said Mouat.
The victory now means that they have reached the final of all four international mixed doubles competitions they have played in this season, winning two of the previous three.
“It’s really nice to get back to the World final of mixed doubles,” Mouat continued.
“Jen and I have had a really good mixed doubles season and we’ve worked very hard to just try to get back to this point, so I’m proud of having such a good effort to get to this point.”
They know they will have their work cut out in the final, however, against an Italian pairing of Stefania Constantini and Anton Mosaner who won the 2022 Olympic Mixed Doubles title together and have, as they did at that event, gone unbeaten through this tournament so far.
“The Italians look like they’re playing incredibly well, so we’re going to have to come out and play like we have for the last three days and put them under some pressure to hopefully get some misses and take advantage,” Mouat acknowledged.
The gold medal match takes place at 6pm BST with all matches at the event being streamed live on The Curling Channel.
Schedule:
Saturday 26 April
Session 1
Scotland – Netherlands 10-3
Session 3 –
Scotland – China 8-5
Sunday 27 April
Session 5 –
Scotland – Denmark 7-3
Monday 28 April
Session 7
Scotland – Finland 9-2
Session 9 – 10pm
Scotland – Korea 7-10
Tuesday 29 April
Session 11
Scotland – Italy 4-7
Wednesday 30 April
Session 13
Scotland – Sweden 7-6
Session 15 10pm (BST)
Scotland – Germany 7-1
Thursday 1 May
Session 17
Scotland – Canada 8-7 (EE)
Friday 2 May
Qualification Games
Scotland – USA 7-5
Estonia – Canada 7-5
Semi Finals
Scotland – Australia 9-6
Italy – Estonia 7-6 (EE)
Saturday 3 May
1.30pm - Bronze Medal Game
Estonia - Australia
6.00pm - Gold Medal Game
Scotland – Italy
Watch LIVE streamed games on The Curling Channel
Team Scotland
Jen Dodds
Bruce Mouat
Ross Paterson – Team Coach
Greg Drummond – Olympic Head Coach
Images: Rob Blanchard Photography
