The 2021 U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Championship began today at the Wausau Curling Club in Wausau, Wisconsin. The Championships, initially scheduled for February 2021, were postponed until the end of May due to risks presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While this year’s Championships do not serve as world-leading events, the stakes remain high.

Ten men’s teams and seven women’s teams will play in their respective round robins before qualifying for playoffs. The top two teams in men’s and women’s at the conclusion of the championship will earn their berths to the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska.

For many, the Championship marks the most important games played in over a year as most of the events that typically comprise a curling season were either canceled or postponed.

Even with limited access to traditional competition, teams have been focusing on preparation for the event, recognizing the opportunities that could result from performing well at the 2021 U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Championships.

“Preparation wise, there hasn't been a lot going on in the last year,” said Scott Dunnam, skip of Team Dunnam. “We came out to Minnesota a month beforehand just to get as much throwing in as we could."

The same urgency for preparedness echoed in the women’s field.

“We’ve been working through the Covid season and getting in as many practices and team meetings as we possibly can, said Jenna Burchesky of Team McMakin. “We’ve been doing whatever we can.”

After day one of the championship, the women’s teams have completed their pre-event practice and will take the ice in their first session of the event tomorrow at 8:00 AM.

Through the first two games of the round robin on the men’s side, two teams, Team Dropkin and Team Dunnam, have maintained perfect 2-0 records.

Despite the results early in the event, the strength of the field could result in any combination of teams qualifying for playoffs at the end of the week.

“No game is going to be easy,” added Dunnam. “Every game is going to be tight and we're going to be ready to take every game down to the wire.”

FOLLOW ALONG

Live scoring of the 2021 U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Championships.

The Championships will be broadcasted May 25-31 on the USA Curling Youtube Channel!

USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Goldline, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., 12th End Sports Network, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.