Americas Challenge
Established2009
Abolished2021

The Americas Challenge was a curling challenge held by the World Curling Federation between teams in its Americas zone. The winner of the challenge qualified their country for the World Curling Championships, and in later years, the runner-up for the now defunct World Qualification Event.[1] The challenge is not automatically held every year, and only takes place when a team in the Americas zone challenges the second-ranked Americas team in that year's World Curling Championship (or the first-ranked team if the second-ranked is hosting).

The challenge merged with the Pacific-Asia Curling Championships to become the Pan Continental Curling Championships in 2022.

History

The first challenge was held in 2009, with Brazil losing to the United States. Brazil again challenged and lost to the United States in 2010, 2015, and 2017.[2] In January 2018, with the United States automatically qualifying as hosts of the 2018 World Men's Curling Championship, Brazil challenged and lost to Canada. The November 2018 challenge was the first to see more than two teams competing, with Guyana joining the challenge for the first time.[3] In 2019, Mexico joined the challenge with Guyana not competing. United States would win again, going 4-0.

A women's event has only been held twice, in 2017 and 2019. In 2017, Brazil challenged the United States but lost. Brazil's women's team challenged the United States in November 2018, but conceded to the United States to qualify for the World Qualification Event. In 2019, Mexico joined the challenge but the United States still won going 4-0.

Champions

YearMenWomenHost
Winning countryWinning teamWinning countryWinning team
2009Todd Birr, Paul Pustovar, Greg Wilson, Kevin BirrNo challenge heldBismarck, North Dakota, United States
2010Pete Fenson, Shawn Rojeski, Joe Polo, Tyler GeorgeNo challenge heldGrafton, North Dakota, United States
2015Heath McCormick, Chris Plys, Joe Polo, Ryan Brunt, Colin HufmanNo challenge heldBlaine, Minnesota, United States
2017John Shuster, Tyler George, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner, Joe PoloNina Roth, Tabitha Peterson, Aileen Geving, Becca Hamilton, Cory ChristensenBlaine, Minnesota, United States
January
2018		Glenn Howard, Adam Spencer, David Mathers, Scott HowardNo challenge heldLondon, Ontario, Canada
November
2018		Greg Persinger (Fourth), Rich Ruohonen (Skip), Colin Hufman, Phil TilkerNo challenge heldChaska, Minnesota, United States
2019Greg Persinger (Fourth), Rich Ruohonen (Skip), Colin Hufman, Phil Tilker, Tyler GeorgeTabitha Peterson, Becca Hamilton, Tara Peterson, Aileen Geving, Natalie NicholsonEveleth, Minnesota, United States
2021Brendan Bottcher, Darren Moulding, Brad Thiessen, Karrick MartinNo challenge heldLacombe, Alberta, Canada

References

  1. ^ Davis, Terry L. (November 12, 2018). "Americas Challenge begins Friday in Chaska". USA Curling. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  2. ^ "CANADA TO BE CHALLENGED BY BRAZIL FOR WORLD MEN'S BERTH DURING WFG CONTINENTAL CUP". Curling Canada. September 28, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  3. ^ "Three teams set to battle in America's Challenge". World Curling Federation. November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.