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 Canada.

Evolution of Curling

The sport has transformed significantly over the past 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.

Challenges for Canadian Curling

Canada, passionate about curling within a niche demographic, faces the task of promoting 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," stated Mark Kennedy, Canadian Olympic Gold medalist.

Olympic Preparation

Canada has yet to qualify its curling team for the Olympics, making this event an important step toward their 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," explained Rachel Homan, two-time Canadian Olympian.

As countries compete for Olympic qualification, the world's best curlers battle through a round-robin tournament.

Summary: South Lake Tahoe’s Grand Slam of Curling marks a pivotal moment for the sport’s growth in the U.S., spotlighting Canada’s Olympic quest and the evolving athleticism of curling.

KCRA — 2025-11-08