Curling is right now in an evolutionary stage and some of the top stories of 2015 reflected these changes—some good, and others controversial.
These issues lingered throughout the year, which also saw some record achievements and clutch performances.
Let’s take a look at the top curling stories of 2015:
10. Brush head controversy
Curlers were divided over whether ‘directional fabric’ brush heads, allegedly allowing sweepers to control stones better, was good for the game or whether it crossed the line for the integrity of the sport. The issue garnered worldwide attention including articles in the New York Times and the Washington Post and even a segment on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
A solution was finally reached in November when the World Curling Federation issued a moratorium on the brushes during the Pacific-Asia Championships and extended the ban through the rest of the season. Curling Canada followed suit shortly thereafter.
Curling Canada adopts ban on controversial broom
9. Gushue returns from frightening fall on the ice
It was a shocking moment during the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Masters quarterfinals in Truro, N.S., on Oct. 31, when Brad Gushue lost his footing and fell face-first onto the ice. He was rushed to the hospital and after getting all patched up and sporting a black eye, Gushue somehow made it back to finish the game in one of those unbelievable moments that only happens in sports.
Jonathan Brazeau: Brad Gushue returns after frightening fall on ice
Gushue’s fall also raised an equipment issue over whether curlers should wear head protection on the ice.
8. Epping throws perfect game to win Canadian Open
While this one is still fresh in our minds, there’s no denying it was an epic run for Toronto’s John Epping earlier this month at the Meridian Canadian Open in Yorkton, Sask. Epping had a night to remember on Dec. 13 during the men’s final as he threw a perfect game—finishing with a 100 shooting percentage—to defeat Gushue and win his third career Grand Slam title.
Jonathan Brazeau: Epping keeps it 100 to win GSOC Canadian Open
7. Homan’s record-breaking run
Ottawa’s Rachel Homan is on a historic pace in the women’s division and accomplished something no other women’s skip has done by winning three consecutive Grand Slam titles during a single season.
Of the three titles, it was the inaugural women’s National championship that drew the most attention. Team Homan kicked off a rock early that Tracy Fleury’s team wished to measure during the seventh end of the final. The rules dictate that Fleury, who had already earned a single, could have taken another point that would have given her a 5–3 lead. Fleury declined and Homan scored two points in the last end for the 5–4 victory.
Jonathan Brazeau: Homan captures inaugural women’s National title
6. Simmons wins back-to-back Brier titles
It’s a bit of convoluted tale, but we’ll try to summarize it as best as we can. Kevin Koe, Pat Simmons, Carter Rycroft and Nolan Thiessen won the 2014 Tim Hortons Brier, becoming the first men’s team to have the chance to return to the national championship the following year as Team Canada. However, it was also the end of an Olympic cycle and Koe opted to form a new team in preparation for the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea. Simmons, Rycroft and Thiessen decided to stick together—retaining the Brier berth—with 2010 Olympic gold medallist John Morris at skip.
The newly dubbed Team Morris struggled to find their winning ways on tour during the season and their woes continued into the 2015 Tim Hortons Brier as they opened with a 2-3 record. They switched it up with Simmons taking over as skip and went on a tear posting a 7-1 record to reach the final and face Northern Ontario’s Brad Jacobs.
Simmons came out on top 6-5 in the extra end, and he celebrated by flipping his brush into the air (take that, Jose Bautista).
Canada defeats Northern Ontario to win 2015 Brier
5. Jacobs’ year-long journey to the Players’ Championship
Brier? Check. Olympic gold medal? Check. Grand Slam title? Hmmm…
It might surprise casual curling fans that Brad Jacobs hadn’t won a Grand Slam prior to this year. His team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., was determined to do just that during the 2014–15 season. And they did, at the Players’ Championship, when Jacobs faced Mike McEwen in the final and stole a point in the last end to win the title.
Jonathan Brazeau: Jacobs’ year-long journey to win Players’ title
Jonathan Brazeau: Jacobs wins 1st career Grand Slam at Players’
4. Stoughton steps back from competitive curling
Jeff Stoughton hung up the corn broom after the Players’ Championship, finishing a legendary curling career that saw him win four Grand Slams, three Brier titles and two world championships. Stoughton’s finale featured not one but two of his famous ‘spin-o-rama’ moves.
Jonathan Brazeau: Stoughton’s career ends at Players’ Championship
3. Gushue wins comeback event at National
Following Gushue’s at the Masters on Halloween night, the St. John’s skip was back in action just a week and a half later for the National in Oshawa, Ont.
While Gushue admitted at the start of the tournament that he only felt good enough to be there, after working off the ‘sea legs’ it turned out he was good enough to win. Team Gushue picked up their pace from the start of the season to win the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling event.
Jonathan Brazeau: Gushue finishes script on 4th GSOC title win
Jonathan Brazeau: Gushue tops Carruthers to win National title
2. Double down on mixed doubles
A number of the curlers competing in the National decided to stick around for a few more days and play in the Wall Grain Mixed Doubles Classic at the Oshawa Curling Club.
While most fans may have only seen mixed doubles on TV during the Continental Cup where it looks like a gimmick, it was announced in 2015 that the sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2018 Winter Games and it has now become serious business.
Jonathan Brazeau: Mixed doubles curling on fast track to Olympics
Jonathan Brazeau: All you need to know on mixed doubles curling
1. Paetz stuns Jones at world championship
Switzerland’s Alina Paetz established her spot among the elite ranks with an incredible run at the 2015 World Women’s Curling Championship.
Paetz finished with an overall 12-1 record including a 5–3 victory over Canada’s Jennifer Jones in the gold medal game. In fact, Paetz swept Jones 3-0 through the tournament by also winning their round-robin and Page playoff matches.
While Canada’s world women’s championship drought continues, having last won the event in 2008, it was Switzerland’s third title in four years.
Jones wins silver at women’s curling championship
