World Curling tightens sweeping rules, bans firmer broom foams ahead of Olympics

Advertisement

Advertise with us

PERTH - World Curling has tightened its sweeping equipment rules heading into the Olympic season.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/06/2025 (465 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PERTH – World Curling has tightened its sweeping equipment rules heading into the Olympic season.

The move, announced Friday, follows concern over firmer broom foams that many players said gave sweepers too much control.

Several high-profile models — including some from Goldline, BalancePlus and Hardline — are now banned. Only brushes with less-firm foam are approved for competition, effective immediately.

World Curling said the decision followed extensive consultation with players, manufacturers and ice experts, as well as a sweep-testing exercise at the Morris Curling Club in Manitoba.

Officials say it’s a first step, with long-term reviews and equipment standards still in development.

With the new regulations, the BalancePlus RS with Firm 2.0 foam, Goldline Impact with Evader or Pursuer foam, Hardline Ice Pad with Competitive foam, and SmartBroom by Curling Tools with current foam are no longer approved for play.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.

Reflected in a window of an arena suite, Alberta-Sluchinski second Kerr Drummond, bottom right, delivers a rock while playing Quebec during the Brier, in Regina, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Reflected in a window of an arena suite, Alberta-Sluchinski second Kerr Drummond, bottom right, delivers a rock while playing Quebec during the Brier, in Regina, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Report Error Submit a Tip

Sports

LOAD SPORTS ARTICLES