U.S. curling championships come to Philadelphia area

Mention an event that combines ice, brooms, and a big rock, and Philadelphians are more likely to think of wintertime parking-spot disputes than curling.

In a large city dominated by major-league teams, the curious niche sport hardly shows up on the radar. Though there are curling clubs in Chester and Bucks Counties, this area is home to only a few hundred of USA Curling's 16,500 registered members.

But strange as it might sound, beginning Saturday, this region will be hosting the 2012 USA Curling National Championships.

The eight-day event, which for competitors is the first step toward qualifying for the 2014 Winter Olympics, will take place at the IceWorks complex in Aston. The victorious men's and women's teams among the 21 competing will automatically qualify for the 2014 U.S. Olympic trials and the 2012 world championships.

The juxtaposition of a large East Coast media market and a relatively obscure ice sport, one whose popularity base is in the upper Midwest, isn't as odd as it initially seems.

Curling could use the shot in the arm that a big-city championship can provide, and the Philadelphia area is eager to boost its young but growing relationship with the Olympic movement.

"We're always looking for things, even if it's not a home run, all-encompassing event like, say an all-star game, the Olympic gymnastics trials, or the NCAA championships," said Larry Needle, executive director of the Philadelphia Sports Congress (PSC). "We're looking for those events that not only fit nicely in our region but also really help us further our connection to the Olympic movement."

While there likely are too many hurdles for Philadelphia ever to be considered a viable candidate to host an Olympic Games, countless national championships and Olympic trials could land here.

In the 2008 run-up to the Summer Games in Beijing, for example, Philly was the site of the gymnastics and table tennis trials.

Curling's championships will produce a modest economic footprint. According to PSC estimates, the event will fill about 1,500 hotel rooms and generate $1.5 million in spending.

"I equate it to the 2008 table tennis Olympic trials, which were held here at Drexel," Needle said. "That was a phenomenally successful event. The place was packed. The competitors were excited to be here and be noticed. This curling event, I think, has a similar feel. I think people are going to be intrigued by it."

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