The Race for Curling Gold: A Swedish Sibling Duo’s Olympic Dream
Isabella and Rasmus Wranå, a Swedish sibling curling duo, are at the forefront of a fierce competition for a coveted spot in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Their victory at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Östersund last spring effectively secured Sweden a place in the Games, but the question of which pair will represent the nation remains unanswered. The Wranås face stiff competition from two other top-tier mixed doubles teams: Anna Hasselborg/Oskar Eriksson and Therese Westman/Robin Ahlberg. All three teams are vying for the chance to defend the bronze medal won by Almida de Val and Oskar Eriksson in Beijing 2022.
The path to the Olympics leads through the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship, set to take place in Canada in April/May 2024. A qualifying tournament in February will determine which Swedish team earns the right to compete. The Wranås’ world championship title positions them well, but their rivals are formidable. Anna Hasselborg and Oskar Eriksson, both seasoned Olympians with numerous accolades, are a powerful force. Therese Westman, daughter of two-time Olympic gold medalist Anette Norberg, and her partner Robin Ahlberg also present a serious challenge. With the field narrowed down to these three pairs, the qualifying tournament promises to be a high-stakes battle.
The Wranås recently participated in the Gothenburg Mixed Doubles Cup, a prestigious international tournament considered a strong indicator of form leading into the qualifying rounds. While no North American teams participated, Rasmus Wranå emphasized the high caliber of the competition, comparing it to a world championship. This tournament marked their first competitive outing since their world championship victory, although they have been diligently training. The Wranås faced Hasselborg and Eriksson in last year’s Gothenburg final, losing in a tiebreaker. With revised rules now requiring extra ends in the semifinals and finals, the siblings are determined to secure a victory this time around.
Isabella, the skip of a team consistently challenging Anna Hasselborg’s rink for national dominance, made her European Championship debut in 2023. However, her teammates in the four-person team event currently hold a stronger position in the race for the upcoming world championship and Olympic berths. For Isabella, the mixed doubles discipline presents a more promising route to the 2026 Games. Rasmus, on the other hand, brings substantial Olympic experience, having earned silver in Pyeongchang 2018 and gold in Beijing 2022 as second for Niklas Edin’s highly successful team. He also boasts five world championship gold medals.
The dynamics of mixed doubles curling present unique challenges and opportunities. With only two players per team, six stones, and eight ends of play, the strategy differs significantly from the traditional four-person format. Rasmus noted the difficulty of blending different team philosophies when players from separate rinks join forces. He acknowledged that communication can be a hurdle, but emphasized the strong bond he shares with his sister, forged through years of shared experience on the ice. While acknowledging past disagreements when they began playing together as teenagers, Rasmus humorously highlighted their current rapport and lack of on-ice squabbles.
The 2018 Winter Olympics saw Sweden without representation in mixed doubles due to concerns about player fatigue, particularly for those competing in both four-person and mixed doubles events. However, Oskar Eriksson’s double medal performance in Beijing 2022 dispelled these concerns, demonstrating the feasibility of competing in both disciplines. Rasmus is eager to emulate Eriksson’s achievement, but recognizes the demanding physical requirements of competing in consecutive tournaments. He is also aware of Eriksson’s determination to secure a spot on the Olympic team, adding another layer of intensity to the ongoing competition. The Wranås are focused and driven, ready to face the challenges ahead as they strive to represent Sweden on the Olympic stage.
