Full Breakdown
U.S. Olympic Curling Trials Set to Begin in Sioux Falls
11/11/2025, 4:34:47 AM
Overview of the Trials
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Curling Trials for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games are set to commence on November 11, 2025, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The trials will feature four men's teams and four women's teams competing in a double round-robin format, followed by a best-of-three finals series. The winners will advance to an international Olympic qualification event in December, where they will have the opportunity to secure spots for the upcoming Olympics.
Key Competitors
Among the notable teams is Team Dropkin, led by 30-year-old skip Korey Dropkin, who has expressed his long-standing Olympic aspirations since watching the 2006 Winter Olympics. Dropkin's team includes Tom Howell, Andrew Stopera, and Mark Fenner, all members of the Duluth Curling Club. They recently achieved a significant milestone by winning the 2025 U.S. Men's Curling Championship, marking the first time in nine years that a team other than John Shuster's has claimed the title.
John Shuster, a veteran skip from Chisholm, Minnesota, is aiming for his sixth consecutive Olympic appearance. Shuster's team, which includes Chris Plys, Colin Huffman, and Matt Hamilton, has a storied history, including winning the first Olympic gold medal for USA Curling at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Shuster's experience and legacy in the sport make him a formidable competitor in the trials.
Competition Format and Schedule
The trials will begin with round-robin play, where each team will compete against one another twice. The top two teams from both the men's and women's divisions will then advance to the finals. The men's and women's finals are scheduled to start on Friday, November 14, and may extend into Sunday, November 16, if necessary. The broadcast of the trials will be available live on Peacock and USA Network.
Official Statements & Responses
Korey Dropkin emphasized the importance of enjoying the competition, stating, "My big thing is just making the most out of this week and trying to win this bonspiel with these boys that I've got." He acknowledged the pressures of Olympic qualification but remains focused on the trials. John Shuster reflected on his lengthy career, noting, "It's been an honor to still be competing at this level and to see the level of curling that we're producing now in our country."
Criticism & Opposition
While the trials present an exciting opportunity for the teams, there are underlying pressures related to Olympic qualification. Dropkin remarked, "I think any competitive country believes that their country deserves to have a spot in the Olympics, but there isn't that type of privilege in this sport." This sentiment highlights the competitive nature of curling and the challenges faced by teams in securing Olympic berths.
What's Next
Following the trials, the winning teams will participate in the Olympic qualification event in December, where they will compete for a chance to represent the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. The stakes are high, as both men's and women's teams aim to secure their spots on the Olympic stage.
