Inaugural World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship to be held in Lohja, Finland

The first ever World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship is set to take place in Lohja, Finland from 30 April until 6 May 2022 at the Kisakallio Sports Institute.

This inaugural championship will be played less than three weeks after the Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, allowing for some athletes to compete in both a World Wheelchair Curling Championship and the Paralympic Games in the same year.

The World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship plans to feature upwards of 25 teams and will see one female and one male player per team.

“It’s very exciting to see wheelchair curling add a new discipline to the sport following its global exposure at the Paralympic Games,” said World Curling Federation President, Kate Caithness. “Adding this world championship to our season’s calendar is vital in order to move forward with the Mixed Doubles discipline which has been added to the Paralympic Programme in Milan/Cortina 2026.”

“Having our wheelchair players experience the fast-pace play of Mixed Doubles at a World Championship will not only increase their skillset on the ice, but also it will provide additional opportunities for teams to compete internationally,” Caithness said.

“Many thanks to our partners at the Kisakallio Sports Institute and Finnish Curling Association for stepping up to host this first edition of the championship. They continue to push the boundaries for holding the most World Curling Championships within the last decade and we are confident they will put on a great event once again.”

Lauri Ikaavalko, Head Organiser of the Kisakallio Sports Institute said, “The Kisakallio Sports Institute in partnership with the Finnish Curling Association is proud to be the first home of the inaugural World Mixed Doubles Wheelchair Curling Championship 2022. With our vast history in hosting the World Wheelchair Championships we are delighted to welcome the athletes to our specially designed facility.

“Our venue is perfectly suitable for this championship because everything is nearby, it is designed for both wheelchair curlers and able-bodied athletes. Since hosting championships in the past, curling in Finland has continued to increase popularity and we hope this championship provides the same opportunities for our local curling community.”

Further information on teams, format and schedule of play will be available in due time.

Engage with the World Curling Federation in the lead up to World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2022 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Weibo and be searching the hashtags #WWhMDCC2022 #curling