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Team GB's Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds are seeking Winter Olympics mixed doubles curling redemption after missing out on medals at Beijing 2022.
The childhood friends first met in 2002 at Gogar Park Curling Club, Edinburgh and have have playing as a pair for several years.
"I just remember thinking, wow the brush is taller than him. He was so small," laughs Dodds of their first meeting.
For 34-year-old Dodds, curling has been a deep-rooted family tradition, with her grandparents and parents having also played.
Mouat's introduction to the ice was from a newspaper article advertising for junior members.
"I was just learning how to do the sport, but Jen, in my eyes, she was already a pro," Mouat tells BBC Sport. "I just wanted to be more like her."
Together Mouat and Dodds have formed one of the most decorated partnerships in the sport.
"We both go into games wanting to have fun, make each other laugh at points. I think that's the glue that keeps the strong team dynamic together."
Mouat and Dodds were left disappointed after being finishing fourth in Beijing [AFP via Getty Images]
Almost two decades since casting the first stone together, Mouat and Dodds brought home world championship gold in 2021.
They then became the maiden mixed doubles pair to represent Team GB at the Winter Games in Beijing 2022.
Unfortunately, medals evaded them after suffering a 6-5 semi-final defeat against Norway, then losing the bronze medal match against Sweden.
Despite that disappointment, Dodds went on to win gold with the women's team, whilst Mouat claimed men's team silver.
"I'd describe the mixed doubles as a really good learning curve for me and Jen," says Mouat, 31.
"It was probably six months it took us to get over the Olympic hangover from coming fourth in the mixed doubles. It was pretty tough."
Mouat and Dodds' strong friendship was essential in helping the pair accept Beijing and to start the rebuild for future successes.
"We've had a fair few tough conversations over the years and we know we can be really open and honest we each other," says Dodds.
Mouat adds: "There's nothing that we were scared to say to each other because we know that whatever we are saying it's to get the best result possible for the team."
Mouat and Dodds arrive in Cortina with revived optimism, ready to put their Olympic nemesis to bed.
The duo have recorded a succession of top results, including silver at the world mixed doubles championships 2025 - the first time they've been on the podium at global level since winning in 2021.
"We're in a really good spot. We know that we're playing really well and we've raised our expectations to go to the Olympics and hopefully do better than that fourth," says Mouat. "I'm not going to settle for anything less than a gold I think."
Both Mouat and Dodds go to Milano-Cortina with hopes of team glory as well.
"That's like picking your favourite child," laughs Jen when asked on which result would mean more.
"We've worked so hard to get to this point, so ideally I would take both," smiles Mouat.
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The childhood friends first met in 2002 at Gogar Park Curling Club, Edinburgh and have have playing as a pair for several years.
"I just remember thinking, wow the brush is taller than him. He was so small," laughs Dodds of their first meeting.
For 34-year-old Dodds, curling has been a deep-rooted family tradition, with her grandparents and parents having also played.
Mouat's introduction to the ice was from a newspaper article advertising for junior members.
"I was just learning how to do the sport, but Jen, in my eyes, she was already a pro," Mouat tells BBC Sport. "I just wanted to be more like her."
Together Mouat and Dodds have formed one of the most decorated partnerships in the sport.
"We both go into games wanting to have fun, make each other laugh at points. I think that's the glue that keeps the strong team dynamic together."
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Mouat and Dodds were left disappointed after being finishing fourth in Beijing [AFP via Getty Images]
Almost two decades since casting the first stone together, Mouat and Dodds brought home world championship gold in 2021.
They then became the maiden mixed doubles pair to represent Team GB at the Winter Games in Beijing 2022.
Unfortunately, medals evaded them after suffering a 6-5 semi-final defeat against Norway, then losing the bronze medal match against Sweden.
Despite that disappointment, Dodds went on to win gold with the women's team, whilst Mouat claimed men's team silver.
"I'd describe the mixed doubles as a really good learning curve for me and Jen," says Mouat, 31.
"It was probably six months it took us to get over the Olympic hangover from coming fourth in the mixed doubles. It was pretty tough."
Mouat and Dodds' strong friendship was essential in helping the pair accept Beijing and to start the rebuild for future successes.
"We've had a fair few tough conversations over the years and we know we can be really open and honest we each other," says Dodds.
Mouat adds: "There's nothing that we were scared to say to each other because we know that whatever we are saying it's to get the best result possible for the team."
Mouat and Dodds arrive in Cortina with revived optimism, ready to put their Olympic nemesis to bed.
The duo have recorded a succession of top results, including silver at the world mixed doubles championships 2025 - the first time they've been on the podium at global level since winning in 2021.
"We're in a really good spot. We know that we're playing really well and we've raised our expectations to go to the Olympics and hopefully do better than that fourth," says Mouat. "I'm not going to settle for anything less than a gold I think."
Both Mouat and Dodds go to Milano-Cortina with hopes of team glory as well.
"That's like picking your favourite child," laughs Jen when asked on which result would mean more.
"We've worked so hard to get to this point, so ideally I would take both," smiles Mouat.
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