FIVE-AND-UNDER NATIONALS TO GET UNDERWAY IN CHASKA
Photo by: Bob Weder
[EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, April 22nd, 2024] — The Chaska Curling Center in Chaska, Minnesota is gearing up to host the Five-and-Under National Championship this week as it welcomes the top novice curlers in the country.
Entering its third year as an official USA Curling championship, the 5U Nationals have become one of the most anticipated events on the calendar for many in the curling community. By facilitating high-stakes competition, this event has allowed newer curlers to taste championship-level play early in their development. For many of the squads in Chaska this week, this will be among their first experiences on the national stage. It is an exciting opportunity for these athletes to showcase their skills and learn more about the sport as they encounter the challenges of curling.
“We’re proud to once again see the broad interest in these nationals for curlers with five years or less of experience,” remarked USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell. “This event fuels a robust 5U bonspiel ecosystem, with qualifier events drawing players seeking a berth in the Nationals. they show no lack of talent, dedication, or enthusiasm. I know that the Chaska Curling Center will provide the perfect environment to display just that and I’m excited to follow along.”
Teams at this year’s championship qualified for the 5U Nationals through a series of tournaments held throughout the 2023-24 season. After a myriad of events, the numerous 5U foursomes across the country were whittled down to the twenty-four teams who will compete in Chaska from April 24th to the 28th. These teams will be divided into pools of six and play a round robin within their pool. After pool play, the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. Defending gold medalist Team Bliven and silver medalist Team Mellin will be among the contenders aiming to claim victory in a talented field of curlers.
Thanks to generous donors who helped make live streaming possible throughout the event, with one sheet being shown each draw with look-ins on adjacent sheets. To support this effort, visit the USA Curling Foundation and donate to Operational Excellence, noting that your gift is intended for webcast production. For more information about how to view games and the championship as a whole, visit here.
About USA Curling
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, USA Curling is the National Governing body for the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling in the United States. The mission of USA Curling is to grow, strengthen, and advocate for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of curling in the United States by prioritizing accessibility and programmatic development from grassroots to podium. USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Toyota, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of the World Curling Federation and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
