WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Curling is a sport that allows many Wis. seniors to stay active while engaging in friendly competition. That’s why the Wausau Curling Center hosted the Senior Men’s Curling Championship the weekend of Jan. 20.
Forty teams competed in the Championship. That includes five teams from Wausau.
The Wisconsin Senior Men’s Curling Championship welcomes anyone over the age of 55 to compete in the annual event. Eight of the 40 teams competed in the Master’s Division — which are the oldest teams competing. For them and many others, the sport is a way to stay active and have some fun during the coldest time of the year.
“It’s a great sport, it’s a great winter sport. One of the reasons for that is we’re inside, so, we’re not dependent on the weather,” said Jim Force, marketing chairman for the Wausau Curling Center.
Many of the competitors have been curling for much of their lives. So — they’re able to adjust their strategies and work as a team while out on the ice.
“Some of these guys have curled together a long time, So they know each other well, they know their tendencies. So you get some pretty good curling here,” said Jeff Stubbe of the Wausau Curling Club.
Each curling team starts by playing a two-hour match, with the top 16 teams advancing further into the first event, while the bottom 16 move to the second. The 8-team Master’s Division play each other in their own tournament.
“In the Master’s Division, there’s a round robin. There’s two divisions, and the two round-robin championships, so it’s first and second,” Stubbe said.
For those looking to start their curling journey – Stubbe says the best way to do it is by getting comfortable with how to move on the ice.
“Delivering a good curling shot is all about balance. You know, if you’re off balance, it’s hard to control, releasing the shoe,” Stubbe said.
If you would like to learn more about the sport – there is a ‘Learn to Curl’ event on Jan. 27 at the Wausau Curling Center.
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