Coach Stoughton’s efforts are paying off

GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA It was a massive moment for Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris but also for Canada’s national mixed doubles curling coach Jeff Stoughton.

Stoughton was the man charged with putting together Canada’s mixed doubles curling program to get ready for the debut of the sport at these 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

It wasn’t easy, as European countries had a head start, but the Canadians have become stronger contenders each year since the last Olympics and now Lawes and Morris are into Tuesday’s gold medal game at the Gangneung Curling Centre.

“It’s certainly satisfying that what we’ve worked on for the last three years comes to fruition with a medal,” Stoughton said. “Hopefully it’s a gold.”

Stoughton came close to qualifying for the Olympics himself, losing to Brad Gushue in the 2005 Olympic trials final on a measurement. It makes being at this point feel more special.

“It’s just a continuation of your career,” he said. “I’m obviously too old now to compete but any opportunity I have to help out Team Canada, this is part of it. This is why I put my hand up to help out with mixed doubles.”