Millikin, a chief executive of Indigo Pacific from Sydney, started curling in his native Canada 40 years ago and used his experience to help Australia win five of its six games to clinch a semifinal spot at Naseby.
He has played in 10 world championships and understands what is needed to be successful in the international arena,It has been a remarkable turnaround for an Australian team that finished fifth in the round robin competition at last year's Pacific championships at Naseby and failed to qualify for the Olympics.
In the crunch game yesterday, Australia controlled the last three ends and scored a two, one and one to beat New Zealand 8-5.
New Zealand skip Dan Mustapic turned the game in New Zealand's favour when he drew the shot on the sixth end when Australia had three rocks in the house.
With its confidence buoyed, New Zealand added three more points on the seventh end to lead 5-4.
But it was unable to sustain the pressure as Australia regained control to score two on the eighth end to retake the lead.
The other certain semifinalists are Japan and Korea, who were playing each other last night.
The Chinese men's team, which has qualified for the Winter Olympics, has been the big disappointment.
It has won just three of its six games but could still make the semifinals.
In the women's competition, the world champion Chinese team and Japan have only lost one game each and are certain to make the semifinals.
They will probably dispute the final.
China took control of its game against Australia when it scored four shots on the seventh end to win 9-4.
The best players in the game were Chinese third Liu Yin and skip Wang Bingyu, who both had a success rate of 88% with their stones.
Bingu drew the bonus shot on the seventh end.
Best for Australia was lead Madeleine Wilson, who had 83% success with her shots.
