USA CURLING 2020-21 CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE
(STEVENS POINT, Wis.) – In collaboration with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the Athletes’ Advisory Council (AAC), USA Curling staff and National Team directors have determined that any remaining United States Curling Association sanctioned events for the 2020-21 season will either be cancelled or postponed until the second half of spring 2021.
“We are committed to navigating through this competition season in the safest and fairest way possible,” said Jeff Plush, USA Curling CEO. “However, based on consultations with medical professionals and updates from the CDC, it is not prudent to host competitions right now.”
The decision-making process for the 2020-21 competition season has not been taken lightly.
“While we are eager to return to competition, the safety of our athletes, volunteers, and host communities remains top priority,” said Plush. “We encourage all of our members to operate under these same guidelines.”
Men’s, Women’s & Mixed Doubles
Due to increasing COVID-19 cases throughout the United States, USA Curling has made the decision to postpone the 2021 Men’s and Women’s National Championships, the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship, and their corresponding challenge rounds until May of 2021.
USA Curling staff is working diligently to plan a bubble environment and contingency plans for the 2021 National Championships in May, as all three championships will serve as qualifying events for the 2022 U.S. Olympic Trials for Curling.
With these postponements, the 2021 World Championships are now scheduled to precede USA Curling’s Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles National Championships.
USA Curling, with the support of the AAC and USOPC, has determined that the 2020 National Champions in Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles will represent the United States at the 2021 World Championships.
Team Peterson (Tabitha Peterson, Nina Roth, Tara Peterson, Becca Hamilton, and Aileen Geving), Team Shuster (John Shuster, Chris Plys, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner), and Team Peterson/Polo (Tabitha Peterson and Joe Polo), the 2020 national champions that were unable to represent the United States at the 2020 World Championships due to COVID-19, have accepted their berths to represent the United States at the 2021 World Championships.
Seniors
USA Curling has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Senior National Championships, following a release from the World Curling Federation (WCF) announcing the cancellation of the World Senior Curling Championships that were scheduled to take place in April 2021. To read the WCF’s full release, click here.
U18 & U21
USA Curling has decided to postpone the U18 National Championships with a date and location to be determined. Additionally, the organization is continuing to work with medical professionals to evaluate the state of COVID-19 and if/how it will impact the U21 National Championships and qualification procedures.
Clubs
The 2021 Club National Championships have been postponed, with a date and location to be determined.
USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Jagermeister, Goldline, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Sitrin, Traveler’s Choice, and Volt, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., 12th End Sports network, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines
