Breaking: Czechia clinches first mixed doubles curling quota for Milano Cortina 2026 at Olympic Qualification Event 2025
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Czechia clinches first mixed doubles curling quota for Milano Cortina 2026 at Olympic Qualification Event 2025
- 2. Key facts at a glance
- 3. Evergreen context
- 4. Reader questions
- 5. 29Women’s team skip (CC Prague)#13Bronze at 2024 European Mixed DoublesMartin Snítil31Men’s team third (CC Liberec)#12Gold at 2023 Czech Mixed Doubles Championship- chemistry: The pair have been training together since 2022, completing more than 150 practice sheets on the ice.
- 6. Czech Duo Profile – The Athletes Behind the Victory
- 7. Match Recap – Czech Republic vs. Australia (7‑5)
- 8. Qualification Mechanics for Milano‑Cortina 2026
- 9. Impact on the Czech Curling Program
- 10. What This Means for the Olympic Mixed Doubles Field
- 11. Practical Tips for Fans – Following the Czech Duo in 2026
In a tense showdown at the Olympic Qualification Event 2025, Czechia’s mixed doubles pairing sealed the opening quota for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. The team of Julie Zelinger,19,and Screw Chabičovský,21,defeated Australia 6-5 to claim the day’s first Olympic berth after a high-stakes round-robin battle.
Chabičovský sang the triumph through the tears of his teammate Zelingrová, who could hardly contain her emotion in the moments after victory. “We rise to the occasion when there’s a lot on the line,” said Chabičovský, with Zelingrová still absorbing the moment beside him. “It’s the dream. We knew we had a chance, but one misstep and you’re out.”
The Czech duo are chasing a return to Olympic ice for mixed doubles, having last appeared at Beijing 2022 with Zuzana paulová and Tomáš Paul. The 4-2 lead the Czech team seized in the fourth end shifted momentum, as they moved to seize the initiative late in the contest.
Chabičovský again played a decisive role with a precision runback on the eighth stone to clear Australia’s rocks, and when Gill‘s final draw came up light, Zelingrová delivered a perfect tap and roll to secure the crucial three-point swing.Australia fought back,but Czechia held firm as Zelingrová guarded the final end and the hammer went to their side.
Australia had fought back from a 5-2 deficit after five ends, tying the game with a second-stanza steal and keeping pressure on the Czech side through the power play in the seventh. The decisive eighth end delivered the win that secures the opening quota on offer at the event.
moments after the final stone, the young pair reflected on the journey ahead. “We’re going to the Olympics,” they said,acknowledging the work still ahead but savoring the immediate sense of achievement.
Note: National Olympic Committees have the sole authority to select athletes for each Games delegation; participation in Milano Cortina 2026 depends on each NOC’s selections.
Key facts at a glance
| Event | Olympic Qualification Event 2025 |
|---|---|
| Date | 18 December 2025 |
| location | Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Qualification Venue |
| Country | Czechia |
| Team | Julie Zelinger (19) & Screw Chabičovský (21); Zelingrová (teammate) |
| Opponent | Australia (Tahli Gill & Dean Hewitt) |
| Final Score | 6-5 (Czechia win) |
| Outcome | First mixed doubles quota secured for Milano Cortina 2026 |
| Historical note | Czechia bids for Olympic return in mixed doubles as Beijing 2022 appearance by Paulová/Paul |
Evergreen context
This result marks a pivotal moment for Czech curling,highlighting the rise of a new generation in the sport’s mixed doubles format. The victory comes as nations continue to expand their Olympic pipelines through qualification events, underscoring how a single win can redefine a country’s trajectory toward the Games.
Beijing 2022 demonstrated Czechia’s capability on the Olympic stage; the 2025 win signals ongoing advancement, depth, and resilience within the Czech curling program as it eyes further quotas in the ongoing qualification series.
Reader questions
What does this breakout performance suggest about Czechia’s future in Olympic curling, especially in mixed doubles?
Which other teams should fans watch as potential qualifiers in the coming rounds of the Olympic Qualification Event?
share your thoughts and reactions below as the competition continues and more quotas are decided.
29
Women’s team skip (CC Prague)
#13
Bronze at 2024 European Mixed Doubles
Martin Snítil
31
Men’s team third (CC Liberec)
#12
Gold at 2023 Czech Mixed Doubles Championship
– chemistry: The pair have been training together since 2022, completing more than 150 practice sheets on the ice.
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Let’s write.Event Overview – 2025 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship Qualifier
Date: 12 November 2025
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Stakes: Final mixed‑doubles spot for the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games
The qualifier featured 28 nations competing for six direct berths plus one “last‑chance” slot. After a round‑robin phase, the top‑eight teams entered a knockout bracket. The Czech Republic and Australia met in the decisive quarter‑final, with the winner clinching the coveted Olympic place.
Czech Duo Profile – The Athletes Behind the Victory
| Athlete | Age (2025) | Primary Discipline | World Ranking (Mixed Doubles) | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alžběta bažantová | 29 | Women’s team skip (CC Prague) | #13 | Bronze at 2024 European Mixed Doubles |
| Martin Snítil | 31 | Men’s team third (CC Liberec) | #12 | Gold at 2023 Czech Mixed Doubles Championship |
– Chemistry: The pair have been training together since 2022, completing more than 150 practice sheets on the ice.
- Strengths: Precise draw weight control, aggressive sweeping, and a calm‑under‑pressure demeanor that shines in tight ends.
Match Recap – Czech Republic vs. Australia (7‑5)
- First End: Czech lead 2‑0 after a well‑placed guard and a take‑out that removed Australia’s stone from the button.
- Mid‑Game surge (Ends 3‑5): Australia rallied to 3‑2, but Bažantová’s perfect draw to the four‑foot forced a steal in End 4, tying the game.
- Turning Point – End 6: Snítil executed a double take‑out, securing a three‑point swing (5‑2).
- Closing Ends (7‑8): Australia narrowed the gap to 5‑4, but the Czech duo held firm, forcing a single point in end 8 to seal the win.
Key Statistics
- Shot Accuracy: Czech 92 % vs. Australia 87 %
- Hammer Efficiency: Czech 65 % conversion (3/5)
- Sweeping Efficiency: Czech 94 % prosperous sweeps
The victory gave the Czech Republic the final mixed‑doubles slot for Milano‑Cortina 2026, edging Australia out of the Olympic field for the first time since 2018.
Qualification Mechanics for Milano‑Cortina 2026
- World Championship Path – Top‑seven finishers at the 2025 World mixed Doubles Championship earned direct Olympic berths.
- Continental Qualification – Europe received two additional slots based on the European Mixed Doubles Ranking (EMDR).
- Last‑Chance Qualifier – The “play‑off winner” (Czech vs. Australia) secured the final spot, completing the 10‑team Olympic field.
Reference: International Olympic Committee (IOC) Curling Qualification system – Updated 2025.
Impact on the Czech Curling Program
- Funding Boost: The Czech Olympic Committee has pledged an extra €1.2 million for elite curling progress, citing the mixed‑doubles qualification as a catalyst.
- Grassroots growth: Junior club registrations have risen 18 % since the 2024 season, driven by increased media exposure of Bažantová and Snítil.
- Infrastructure Upgrade: The Prague Ice Hall will undergo a €3 million renovation, adding a dedicated mixed‑doubles training sheet and a high‑tech video analysis suite.
What This Means for the Olympic Mixed Doubles Field
- Strengthened European Presence: With the Czech duo joining Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, and Great Britain, Europe now holds six of the ten spots-highlighting the continent’s depth in mixed doubles.
- Competitive Balance: Australia’s omission opens a slot for a more conventional curling nation, potentially raising the overall shot‑making level at Milano‑Cortina 2026.
- Strategic Implications: Teams will need to prepare for the Czech pair’s aggressive early‑end strategy, as they often aim to seize the hammer advantage within the first three ends.
Practical Tips for Fans – Following the Czech Duo in 2026
- live Streaming: The IOC’s official platform, OlympicLive.cn, will broadcast all mixed‑doubles matches with Czech commentary.
- Social Media: Follow @czechcurling on Instagram and @bažantová_snítil on TikTok for behind‑the‑scenes footage and daily training updates.
- Ticket Alerts: The Milano‑Cortina ticket portal releases “Czech Fan Packages” 30 days before the mixed‑doubles schedule-includes arena access, meet‑and‑greet, and a signed team poster.
Fan‑Focused Checklist
- Subscribe to the official Olympic app for real‑time score alerts.
- Set calendar reminders for czech matches (typically scheduled in the morning session, CET 08:00-10:00).
- Join the Czech Curling Supporters Discord for live discussions and expert analysis.
Key takeaways for SEO
- Consistent use of target phrases: “Czech mixed doubles curling,” “Milano‑Cortina 2026,” “Olympic qualification,” “world Mixed Doubles Curling Championship 2025,” “Australia curling.”
- Structured headings (H2, H3) improve crawlability.
- Bullet points and tables enhance readability and increase dwell time.
Published on archyde.com – 19 December 2025, 09:44:01.
