2021 MEN’S, WOMEN’S, AND MIXED DOUBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Photo by Rich Harmer.
After continued consultation with local health authorities, chief medical officers, and the Athletes’ Advisory Council, USA Curling is pleased to announce that Wausau Curling Club in Wausau, Wis. has agreed to host the 2021 Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles National Championships. With the final confirmation of the Championships depending upon the number of confirmed participants following the close of registration, the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship is scheduled from May 19-23, 2021, and the Men’s and Women’s National Championships are scheduled to follow from May 25-31, 2021.
To best ensure the safety of participants, coaches, volunteers, and the host community, USA Curling will be enforcing a mandatory “bubble” environment. Additional and more detailed information regarding the guidelines of the “bubble” will be determined and shared once the number of registered teams has been determined.
2021 Mixed Doubles, Men’s & Women’s National Championships “bubble” information as of March 29, 2021:
Arrival to the designated host hotel will be required three days prior to the start of each event.
Upon arrival, participants will be required to produce documentation of negative test results of a PCR test (participant’s expense) taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. Athletes/Coaches will not be allowed into the host hotel without the required documentation and initial wellness check.
Self-isolation by coaches and athletes will be required until results of an on-site PCR test (provided by USA Curling) is received with negative results. This will be one day before entrance into the host club for pre-event practice and competition commencement.
Each team will be limited to one coach inside the bubble. All coaches are required to complete online registration on or before Wednesday, April 7th.
All athletes, coaches, and volunteers will be required to agree and abide by a complete COVID mitigation plan. This plan will be distributed to all athletes and coaches on or before April 18th, 2021.
Please do not make travel arrangements prior to receiving confirmation of event dates and requirements.
Please contact Jenny Biadasz, Director of Teams Administration with any questions (Jenny.biadasz@usacurling.org).
2021 National Championship Qualification:
The Men’s and Women’s National Championship field is not geographically based. The field will consist of the top eight ranked women’s teams and the top 10 ranked men’s teams based on the World Curling Federation’s (WCF) World Team Ranking System. Following the closure of registration, USA Curling will extend invites to the top teams of each gender. The final field will be announced once invites have been accepted.
The 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship will have up to 32 teams. Should more than 32 teams register, the field will be determined as follows:
Any team that qualified for the 2020 Mixed Doubles National Championship
Up to twelve (12) teams that have at least one (1) athlete on a team in the top fifty of the Men's/Women's WCF World Ranking system as of the close of registration. If more than twelve (12) such teams enter, the teams will be ranked based on their highest ranked athlete in Men's/Women's WCF World Ranking system.
The remaining field will be filled up to 32 teams, by selecting the top teams, not already qualified, from the WCF Mixed Doubles World Team Ranking System as of the close of registration.
Registration:
Registrations for Mixed Doubles, Men’s & Women’s Nationals will open at 12:00PM (EST) on Monday, March 29, 2021 and close at 11:00PM (EST) on Sunday, April 4, 2021.
Individuals must submit a separate registration for each Championship they intend on participating in.
2022 Olympic Team Trials Qualification:
While the Champions of the Men’s and Women’s National Championships will not advance to represent the United States at a World Curling Championship, the Men’s and Women’s National Championships will qualify teams for the 2022 Olympic Team Trials.
As noted in 1.2.2.B of the Athlete Selection Procedures: The two highest ranked teams in both the Men’s and Women’s competitions at the 2021 National Championships, not already qualified through section A, will advance to the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling.
Should teams not qualify for the 2022 Olympic Team Trials by way of the 2021 Men’s and Women’s National Championships, three additional teams will have another opportunity to do so via a “Trials Qualifying Series,” which will consist of two events that will be held between August and October of 2021.
To participate in the Trials Qualifying Series, teams must be in the top 150 teams at time of series registration OR register to compete in the 2021 National Championship.
View 2022 Team Trials Qualifying Procedures
2022 Olympic Mixed Doubles Trials Qualification:
While the Champions of the Mixed Doubles National Championships will not advance to represent the United States at a World Curling Championship, the Mixed Doubles National Championship will qualify teams for the 2022 Olympic Mixed Doubles Trials.
As noted in 1.2.2.B of the Athlete Selection Procedures, teams can qualify by being one of the top four teams (not already qualified) at the 2021 U.S. Mixed Doubles National Championship.
Should teams not qualify for the 2022 Olympic Team Trials by way of the 2021 Mixed Doubles National Championship, three additional teams will have another opportunity to do so via a “Trials Qualifying Series,” which will consist of two events that will be held between August and October of 2021.
To participate in the Trials Qualifying Series, teams will need to register to compete in the 2021 National Championship.
View 2022 Mixed Doubles Trials Qualifying Procedures
About Wausau Curling Club
Located in Central Wisconsin, the Wausau Curling Club a state-of-the-art curling facility that boasts eight sheets of ice. The Club was originally founded in 1920 and completed its new facility in 2012. The expansive warm-room and viewing area allow for the Club to host world-class events and will allow for ample space for the orchestration of a National Championship Bubble.
USA Curling thanks the Wausau Curling Club for their continued commitment and partnership, and is excited to officially welcome Wausau, Wis. as a stop on USA Curling’s road to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.
Athlete Town Hall – March 30, 2021
Phill Drobnick and Jessica Schultz, Directors of Sport Performance, will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, March 30, at 12:00PM (CST).
This meeting will be open to anyone who is considering participating in the 2021 Mixed Doubles, Men’s, or Women’s National Championships.
UPDATE: If you were unable to attend the meeting please email Jessica.Schultz@usacurling.org or Phill.Drobnick@usacurling.org with any questions you have. The recorded Athlete Town Hall can be viewed below.
USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Goldline, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, 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.
