Vegas to host worlds as curling catches on in U.S.
Shuster rink’s gold-medal win has sport riding high, organizer says
The timing couldn’t have been better for Las Vegas to play host to the 2018 men’s world curling championship.
The Nevada city, renowned for sun, gambling, casinos and bigtime entertainment, welcomes the men’s world championship from March 31-April 8 at the Orleans Arena.
Las Vegas is playing host to its first men’s championship just weeks after the United States won its first gold medal in men’s curling, placing first at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
John Shuster engineered the curling upset by beating Sweden’s Niklas Edin 10-7 in the gold-medal final in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The American curling community and Jon Killoran, event manager for the world championship, celebrated the gold-medal win.
“There is always a peak of interest in curling after the Winter Olympics,’’ Killoran said from his Las Vegas office. “The U.S. men winning the historic gold-medal victory have sent it to a level that curling has never been before. It hasn’t stopped since it happened.’
Shuster, third Tyler George, second Matt Hamilton and lead John Landsteiner have since been featured on The Tonight Show and the Today Show.
The American curlers also threw a rock with puck affixed to the front during the opening ceremony for an outdoor NHL game between the host Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs.
“They are keeping that warmth and exuberance going beyond the days of the games,’’ Killoran said. “We know that we will have them for a portion of the event in Las Vegas to continue the celebration. With all of those appearances, it made it impossible for them to compete at nationals.’’
How much the exposure has translated into more interest in the world championship remains to be determined.
“I have no benchmark because we’ve never hosted a worlds in Las Vegas before,’’ Killoran said.
The world championship won’t be the first time that Las Vegas has played host to a major curling event. The Nevada hot spot played host to successful Continental Cups of Curling in 2014, 2016 and 2017. The Continental Cups drew a total of 172,004 spectators, including a record 62,498 in 2016.
“Las Vegas has become the world’s curling oasis,’’ Killoran said with a laugh. “Las Vegas is an iconic destination for just about anything and Canadians by a million come here. When you bring one of Canada’s favourite pastime sports into the mix as well, it has turned out to be a tremendous pairing.’’
Regina-born Braden Moskowy was part of Canada’s team at the 2017 Continental Cup.
“(The world championship) will be amazing,’’ said Moskowy, who was the third for Manitoba at the recent Brier in Regina. “When we there for the Continental Cup, it was 60 to 70 per cent Canadian fans. Team Canada will have a ton of support.’’
Brad Gushue, who captured his second consecutive Brier title on Sunday in Regina, will skip Team Canada. Gushue visited Las Vegas for the first time last year to attend a Dixie Chicks concert.
“There will be a lot of distractions, but you only live once and you have to enjoy the experience,’’ Gushue said. “I would feel bad if we went down there and just focused on throwing the rock. You have to enjoy it and we’re going to do that and hopefully we play well as well.’’
It’s not just about curling in Las Vegas. The Continental Cups featured glitz and glamour, ranging from Las Vegas-style entertainers to Elvis impersonators.
The 2018 event features the first time the Patch will be poolside.
“Orleans has a very developed spa area,’’ Killoran said. “During the day and the Patch will be at the pool … We’ll also have a traditional Patch after the evening draw.’’
The world women’s curling championship is to begin Saturday in North Bay, Ont. Jennifer Jones is to skip Team Canada.