Welcome to the Minnesota Curling Association, an organization of over 5,000 Minnesota athletes who represent and promote the competitive yet always cordial, great game of curling.
The Minnesota Curling Association exists…
…to promote the sport of curling and unite curling clubs within the state of Minnesota;
…to conduct state curling competitions;
…to coordinate educational programs and activities for Minnesota curlers;
…to provide a channel of communication of state bonspiels, curling rules, winning techniques, equipment updates;
…and to encourage all curlers to enjoy the marvelous, unique facets of curling: honest sportsmanship, athletic competition, and social club recreation.
Two-minute Introduction to Curling (video)
ROCHESTER TEAM WINS BRONZE MEDAL IN NATIONAL ARENA CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
The MCA is proud of our bronze medal winners at the 2023 USA Curling Arena Club National Championship held November 9 – 12, at Curl Mesabi in Eveleth, MN.
Thank you to Curl Mesabi for hosting and “Congratulations!” to Team Schuder from the Curling Club of Rochester: Kelsey Schuder, Sophia Walsh, Kaisey Ackerman, Susan Horsman, and Laura Gardner.
ROCHESTER TEAM CLAIM ARENA STATE PLAYDOWNS
Congratulations to the winners of the Men’s 2023 Arena State Championship from the Curling Club of Rochester: Jeremy Mcjunkin, Doug Boecker, Ryan Cradick, Adam Stallman
2023-2024 STATE PLAYDOWNS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS
♦ Men’s and Women’s State Club Championships
Link to entry registration
January 25 – 28, 2024, Host Site: Brainerd Lakes Curling Association
♦ U.S. Nationals – Fargo, ND
♦ U-18 Boys’ and Girls’ State Championships
Link to entry registration
December 14 – 17, 2023, Host Site: Bemidji Curling Club
♦ U.S. Nationals – Lafayette, CO
♦ Mixed State Championship
Link to entry registration
February 16 – 18, 2024, Host Site: Two Harbors Curling Club
♦ U.S. Nationals – Denver, CO
♦ Arena Clubs State Championship
Link to entry registration
April 4 – 6, 2024, Host Site: Dakota Curling Club, Lakeville
♦ 2024 U.S. Nationals
♦ 2023 U.S. Nationals – Eveleth, MN
♦ Juniors / U-21 Regional Playdowns(conducted by the USCA)
♦ 5 and Under Regional Playdowns(conducted by the USCA)
♦ Mixed Doubles (conducted by the USCA)
BUILDING A NETWORK FOR MN HIGH SCHOOL CLUB CURLING
Your Minnesota Curling Association and a volunteer Task Force are excited to announce –spinning off Minnesota’s strong Junior Curling Program– the return of organized high school team curling in the state of Minnesota with an annual Championship Bonspiel in March. Young competitive curlers have the U-18 track (state, nationals, world), this is meant to be a more casual curling experience for high school-aged curlers of all skill levels.
Mark Your Calendars:
The 2024 State High School Championship will be held in Duluth, March 1-3 and in 2025 at Cambridge. It’s the March Madness of High School Curlers!
We’re currently creating a database that will connect Minnesota clubs for games and scrimmages, as well as provide tips for team formation and coaching resources. Clubs are asked to submit comments and suggestions using this Goggle survey. Timely completion is appreciated.
UPDATING CLUB LEADERSHIP CONTACT INFO
As we continue to refine the priorities of MCA tasks and services, one topic that rises to the top of the list is good communication. In order to facilitate that communication regarding clubs’ activities, membership meetings, special interest meetings, and general updates and news, accurate contact information is needed. Each Minnesota club is asked to please help update the contact information roster by COMPLETING THIS FORM. Thank you.
Congratulations to Duluth, Minnesotans Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin for capturing the gold medal at the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Championship held April 22 – 29, in Gangneung, Korea!
Qualifying for the playoff with a 7-2 round robin record, Team U.S. rocked Japan in the final game, 8-2. To read the final game recap article, visit this World Curling Federation web page.
Congratulations Minnesota U-18 Women’s Team Ryhorchuck on winning the 2023 National Championship in Lafayette, Colorado!
Congratulations also to Minnesota U-18 Men’s Team Guentzel on winning the Bronze Medal at the 2023 National Championships!
SAFESPORT INITIATIVE
The United States Curling Association, in compliance with U.S. federal law, now participates in the SafeSport Program to raise awareness, institute prevention, and enact response measures regarding the intolerance of abuse or harassment of any kind. All Minnesota curling clubs are required to establish a protocol for SafeSport Training for their club membership and staff.
USA Curling SafeSport
FIVE-ROCK FREE GUARD ZONE
The World Curling Federation has implemented the five-rock free-guard zone (FGZ) rule this season, replacing the four-rock rule. Many Minnesota clubs will be enacting the rule to prepare curlers for state, national, and world competitions.
The expanded rule means that the first five rocks thrown each end (normally the two rocks thrown by each lead and the first rock thrown by the second on the team without the hammer) are “protected” and cannot be removed from the FGZ between the hog line and the house until the sixth rock is thrown each end. If a rock is removed before that time, it is put back. It is permissible to move an opponent’s rock as long as it remains in play.