Canada’s Kasner, Kalthoff open mixed doubles worlds with win over France

KARLSTAD, Sweden – Canada’s Dustin Kalthoff and Marliese Kasner opened the 2016 world mixed doubles curling championship on Sunday with a 9-3 victory over France.

France’s Romain Borini and Sandrine Morand stole a single in the opening end, but it was all Canada from there at the 42-team world event. The Saskatoon duo responded with three in the second, a single in the third and a deuce in the fourth for a 6-1 lead.

Kasner made a draw for the third point in the second end, and it was Kalthoff’s two draws in the third end, both to French rocks just behind the teeline, that set up the stolen deuce.

The French rebounded with singles in the following two ends before Canada secured the victory in the seventh. Kalthoff and Kasner called for a Power Play — starting the end with one of their own rocks buried behind a French corner guard — and turned it into three points to prompt handshakes.

The Canadian team — which includes national coach Jeff Stoughton and team leader Jim Waite — and France are in a group with Australia, China, Ireland, Italy and Serbia. The top two finishers are guaranteed berths in the 16-team playoffs, while the third-place finisher also has a chance, based on the draw-shot challenge totals.

Kalthoff and Kasner return to action on Monday against the father-daughter duo of Neil and Alison Fyfe of Ireland.