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, bringing together 32 elite teams from seven nations, including Canada.

The Evolution of Curling

The sport has changed dramatically over the past 25 years, becoming much more athletic and attracting younger champions.

"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, which has a dedicated but niche curling fan base, faces the challenge of expanding the sport globally.

"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, an Olympic Gold medalist from Canada.

Importance of the Event for Canada

Canada remains one of the few countries that has not yet qualified its team for the Olympics, making this Grand Slam event vital for their preparation.

"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.

The Road to the Olympics

As nations compete for Olympic spots, top curlers will face off in a round-robin tournament to earn their place.

Author’s summary: South Lake Tahoe’s historic Grand Slam of Curling event highlights the sport’s growth and serves as critical Olympic preparation for international teams, especially Canada.

KCRA — 2025-11-08