Two Whitehorse rinks will attempt to better their chances for next year at the 2016 senior curling nationals in Nova Scotia.

Teams led by Leslie Grant and Walter Wallingham dropped into the seeding pools today following the conclusion of the round robin in Digby, N.S.

Both teams finished round-robin play with 2-4 records, failing to make the championship pool.

Wallingham fell to 2-5 today after losing 9-3 to Quebec.

Earlier in the week, his rink – which also includes third Gord Zealand, second Ed Kormandy and lead Don Duncan – beat Saskatchewan 7-5 and Northwest Territories 7-6 in extras.

The group also dropped decisions to Ontario, Alberta, Northern Ontario and Manitoba, however.

Meanwhile, Grant defeated Northern Ontario 6-5 and N.W.T. 10-2, but dropped games to Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick and Alberta.

Her rink also includes third Corinne Delaire, second Joan Hyvre and lead Laura Wilson.

The event is sponsored by Everest, a nationwide funeral planning service.

Meanwhile, the 2016 Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Championship got underway in Saskatoon today.

Bob and Jody Smallwood are representing Yukon in the 32-team field.

The two will face some of the country’s top curlers at the event, including pairings of Rachel Homan and Mark Nichols, as well as Chelsea Carey and Colin Hodgson – both of whom are in the same pool as the Smallwoods.

This morning, the Yukon duo dropped their first game to Carey and Hodgson, 7-4.

At press time this afternoon, the Smallwoods were readying for their second game against Homan and Nichols.

The winning team will represent Canada at the 2016 world championships in Karlstad, Sweden, April 16 to 23.

Worlds will be the first qualifying event for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, where mixed doubles will make its debut.