Two-time Olympian Chris Plys, playing as third for John Shuster, expresses steady confidence as his team prepares for the upcoming U.S. Olympic Curling Team Trials. The event will determine the nation’s representative for the men’s division in December’s Olympic Qualification Event and potentially beyond.
Before thoughts turn to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 or the 2025 Qualification Event in Kelowna, Canada, the focus remains on the U.S. Trials. This five-day competition gathers the nation’s top men’s and women’s teams, narrowing the field to one champion who will advance toward securing one of the final two Olympic quotas for next year’s Games.
For 38-year-old Chris Plys—already an Olympian from Vancouver 2010 and Beijing 2022—the Trials bring a mix of anticipation and reflection. Despite recently recovering from an injury, his motivation is evident.
“It’s an exciting challenge,” said Plys during the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee summit in New York at the end of October. “I’m eager to get back on the ice and compete at the highest level.”
The Trials not only represent a gateway to Olympic qualification but also a personal test of resilience for Plys and his team. With experience and determination on their side, they aim to carve a path back onto the world stage.
Author’s summary: Veteran curler Chris Plys approaches the U.S. Olympic Team Trials with calm determination, viewing the event as both a comeback test and a chance at Olympic redemption.