Canadian mixed doubles bronze medallists Marliese Kasner and Dustin Kalthoff of Saskatchewan will represent Canada at the world championships later this month in Sweden.
Kasner and Kalthoff were named Canada’s representatives Tuesday, two days after finishing third at the Canadian championships in Saskatoon.
Tournament champions Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant and silver medallists Laura Crocker and Geoff Walker declined world championship invites due to scheduling conflicts. The Grand Slam Players’ Championship runs during the same time.
"We know it wasn’t an easy decision for those teams, but we respect their choice, and at the same time we’re truly excited to see Marliese and Dustin get the chance to represent Canada at the world championship," said mixed doubles program manager Jeff Stoughton.
Kalthoff and Kasner posted a 7-2 overall record at the Canadian championship, and claimed the bronze medal when Ryan Fry and Emma Miskew defaulted due to injury.
The world championships run April 16-23 in Karlstad, Sweden.
It will be the first event where qualifying points will be available for countries to earn berths into the 2018 Olympics. The combined results of the 2016 and 2017 world mixed doubles in Lethbridge, Alta., will decide the seven countries who will join host South Korea in 2018.
Canada is in a pool at the 42-team event with Australia, China, France, Ireland, Italy and Serbia.
Canada’s best result at the world mixed doubles is third recorded by Alli Nimik and Sean Grassie in 2009.
