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 first-ever Grand Slam of Curling event in the United States, featuring 32 elite teams from seven countries, including Canada. This milestone reflects the growing appeal of curling beyond its traditional strongholds.

Evolution of the Sport

The sport of curling has transformed considerably over the last 25 years, becoming more athletic with younger champions emerging.

"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," said one curling enthusiast.

Canada’s Role and Challenges

Canada, where curling enjoys a niche but passionate following, faces the challenge of expanding the sport internationally.

"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," said Mark Kennedy, Olympic Gold medalist from Canada.

Olympic Preparation

Canada remains one of the few countries yet to qualify its curling team for the Olympics, making this Grand Slam event an important step toward their Olympic trials.

"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," said two-time Canadian Olympian Rachel Homan.

As teams compete for Olympic qualification, the world’s top curlers will face off in the round-robin tournament in Lake Tahoe.

Author’s summary: The Grand Slam of Curling in South Lake Tahoe marks a significant moment as elite teams compete, highlighting the sport’s growth, Canada’s Olympic quest, and curling’s increasing athleticism.

KCRA — 2025-11-08