(STEVENS POINT, Wis.) -- USA Curling is planning to host a playdown event to determine the junior men’s team that will represent the United States at the 2021 World Junior Curling Championships, scheduled February 18 - 28, 2021, in Beijing, China.

To qualify for this playdown, tentatively scheduled December 3 - 6, 2020, teams must meet the following criteria:

• Team must have competed at the 2020 Junior National Championships

• Team must have three of the same players from the 2020 Junior National Championships (unless team is on the 2020-21 National Team)

• Team must meet the age requirements and other conditions for participating at a World Junior Curling Championship

• Team must strictly adhere to all COVID guidelines outlined by the USOPC and TCO doctors

• Team is responsible for all expenses incurred while adhering to quarantine guidelines and COVID-19 testing procedures

• Team must agree to the Athlete Agreement

Should your team meet the aforementioned criteria and be interested in learning more about the next steps in planning a playoff for the World Junior Men’s Curling Championships, please email Jenny Biadasz (jenny.biadasz@usacurling.org) outlining the team’s qualifications by October 8, 2020.

On October 15, 2020, USA Curling will host a call with all eligible teams to discuss the logistics of hosting the playdown.

In the event USA Curling is unable to host this playdown due to COVID-19 and the World Junior Curling Championships remain scheduled for February 18, 2021, a junior men’s team will be chosen to represent the United States at the 2021 World Junior Curling Championships based on the following criteria:

• Team must have three members from the 2020 Junior National Championships

• Team must have international experience

• Team must demonstrate initiative and dedication to being an elite level junior curling team

• Team must have access to ice committed team practice sessions

• Results from events from October 15, 2020 - January 4, 2021 will be considered

• Team must agree to strictly abide by all COVID-19 guidelines for the World Junior Curling Championships outlined by the WCF and USOPC

• Team must agree to the Athlete Agreement

“We are continuing to evaluate the complexities of COVID-19 and are strategizing ways to hopefully have events this season,” said Jessica Schultz, Director, Women’s National Team and Juniors. “Due to rapidly changing schedules and strict guidelines, we feel that we have determined the criteria needed for a team to succeed at the World Junior Curling Championships.”

Should you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Jessica Schultz (jessica.schultz@usacurling.org). 

Photo Credit: Rich Harmer