Curling Night in America set to take place in Raleigh

By Mary Dunleavy, WRAL Sports Anchor / Reporter

Raleigh, N.C. — One of the biggest curling events in the world is coming to Raleigh.

Keith Scott, the chief umpire for Curling Night in America said, "This is a great opportunity to show the whole Triangle area and Raleigh in particular."

Triangle Sports Commission CEO Hill Carrow, added, "Curling is interested in growing in areas (where) it's not as big or thought of, particularly in southern climates."

Curling Night in America is taking over the Iceplex in Raleigh Aug. 22-24. Olympians from across the globe will be featured in the three-day tournament.

Carrow said, "Fortunately, this venue is the only Olympic-size ice sheet in all of the Carolinas."

A team of ice masters were flown in from all over the country a week prior to the event to ensure the ice is flawless. Shawn Olesen is from Fargo, North Dakota.

Olesen explained, "We're keeping an eye on the water purification and how flat (and) level we need the ice so the stones will perform. We've had someone in the building since we got here Friday at noon."

Thanks to groups like the Triangle Curling Club in Durham and to Team USA's gold medal performance in the 2018 Olympic Games, the sport is growing in the U.S.

Richard Harding, a member of the World Curling Federation said, "As curling's expanded in the States it is now present either in the form of a dedicated curling building or in hockey arenas in all but one of the states in the U.S."

The fun doesn't end on Saturday. On Sunday, NHL All-stars are coming to Raleigh to compete against the top curlers in the world. Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin and super-fan Hamilton the pig are rumored to make an appearance.