South Lake Tahoe hosts first Grand Slam of Curling event in the U.S.

South Lake Tahoe Hosts First Grand Slam of Curling Event in the U.S.

South Lake Tahoe is hosting the inaugural Grand Slam of Curling event in the United States, featuring 32 top teams from seven countries, including the dominant Canadian teams.

Evolution of the Sport

Over the past 25 years, curling has transformed significantly, becoming more athletic with younger champions emerging. A curling enthusiast noted:

“The sport has changed a lot even since I started playing, you know, 25 years ago. It's come a long way, getting way more athletic. Champions are getting younger and younger.”

Challenges in Growing Curling Globally

Canada, with its dedicated but niche curling fan base, faces challenges in expanding the sport worldwide. Mark Kennedy, a Canadian Olympic Gold medalist, explained:

“We've got a really niche demographic in Canada that loves the sport, so it's a challenge to grow it around the world. But you know, hence one of the reasons why we're here in Lake Tahoe.”

Importance for Canadian Olympic Qualification

Canada has yet to qualify its curling team for the Olympics, making this event vital as preparation for upcoming trials. Two-time Canadian Olympian Rachel Homan said:

“Canada's probably one of the only countries that hasn't qualified their team yet. Uh, so, you know, this is really preparing us for our trials. The winner of that goes to the Olympics.”

Competition Format

As nations compete for Olympic qualification, the world’s best curlers will participate in a round-robin tournament format to determine advancement.

Summary: South Lake Tahoe's first U.S. Grand Slam of Curling event marks a milestone, spotlighting the sport's growth and global Olympic ambitions.

KCRA — 2025-11-08