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2026 Olympics Curling Rocks: Sustainable Sources in Focus

2/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics will use Ailsa Craig green for the main rock and blue hone for the running surface.
Curling rocks come from Ailsa Craig, Scotland, and Trefor, Wales, and have a running surface and a striking surface.
Research by Derek Leung shows quartz in both sources and few fractures due to geological youth.
Leung plans to explore sources in Nova Scotia to ensure a sustainable curling-rock supply.

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Story summary

The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics will use Ailsa Craig green for the main rock and blue hone for the running surface.
Curling rocks come from Ailsa Craig, Scotland, and Trefor, Wales, and have a running surface and a striking surface.
Research by Derek Leung shows quartz in both sources and few fractures due to geological youth.
Leung plans to explore sources in Nova Scotia to ensure a sustainable curling-rock supply.