SHAWN OLESEN JOINS USA CURLING AS HEAD ICE TECHNICIAN

© WCF / Richard Gray

USA Curling is excited to welcome Shawn Olesen to the organization in a full-time role as Head Ice Technician.

“We are thrilled to finally be able to add Shawn Olesen to our organization full time,” said USA Curling CEO Jeff Plush. “Shawn is widely considered to be one of the very best Ice Technicians in the world.”

Olesen, previously working with USA Curling in a part-time capacity, has transformed countless arenas and venues for major curling events over the course of his 17 years of ice making experience.

New to curling in 2004, Shawn Olesen joined the Fargo-Moorhead Curling Club in Fargo, N.D., where he wasted no time in learning and helping with the club’s ice.  

Olesen gained his first ice-making experience outside of his home club when the 2008 World Men’s Curling Championship came to Grand Forks, N.D.

“I loved it and haven’t looked back since,” said Olesen when reflecting on transforming Grand Forks’ Ralph Engelstad Arena into a world class curling stage.

Following the 2008 World Men’s Curling Championship, Olesen went on to work as an ice technician at countless U.S. National Championships and Qualifiers, the Continental Cups in Las Vegas, the 2017 World Junior Curling Championships, 2018 World Men’s Curling Championship, 2018 Pacific-Asian Championships, and the 2018 Olympic Games in PyeongChang.

With Olesen’s experience as a key contributor to high level competitions all over the world, member clubs will also benefit from his new role with USA Curling.

“The opportunity to have Shawn working with us and our member clubs will allow for increased quality of ice conditions not only for events, but for better day-to-day training environments,” said Plush.

In addition to taking the lead on curating the playing surface for several USA Curling sanctioned events, Olesen is committed to helping strengthen the ice-making pipeline by training the volunteers at events on best practices and techniques, as well as consulting and fielding questions specific to the unique facilities of member clubs across the country. 

“I like to meet new people and see how they achieve their goals,” said Olesen.  “It’s important to me that icemakers are able to share their knowledge and experiences to ensure that all curlers are given the best, most consistent ice to compete on at all levels.”

From grassroots to championship-level play, USA Curling looks forward to the invaluable resource Olesen will be to the sport of curling.

“As important as anything, Shawn is a great person and will be a welcomed contributor across our organization as we build a culture of positivity and inclusion,” said Plush.