The United States Curling Association announced recently they've chosen a host town for the upcoming USA Curling Mixed National Championship, and it's Midland.
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Midland Curling Club will host the national event, which is planned for March 19 to 26 in 2011. It's the first time national curlers will be hosted here, and the Midland Curling Center has seen some changes in preparation, as the ice is already down in the young facility.
John Zimmerman is chairing the event for Midland and says the curling teams that will face off in March will be the top teams in the nation, after succeeding in regional competitions.
"We'll have ten teams representing the very best mixed curlers from across the United States, from Alaska to the East Coast," says Zimmerman. It remains to be seen whether any Midland teams will have the home advantage, as they first must compete in the regional qualifying rounds against other Michigan, Ohio and Indiana teams.
The curling club members are organizing volunteer efforts and community support to pull off the big event. Zimmerman says while USA Curling appoints head officials, Midland and other nearby curling organizations will supply most of the footwork for the championships.
The championship brought one big change to the center, as the club opted for full-length, pre-printed competition surfaces to be installed under the ice instead of the traditional painted markings. A new de-ionized water ice-making system also will make this year's ice faster and more consistent.
Sponsors for the event already are lined up, to help with the costs of hosting the championships. They are Chemical Bank, Tim Horton's, Dow Chemical, Dow Corning, Quad Graphics, and Goldline curling supplies.
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource: John Zimmerman, Midland Curling Club
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