Denver has been selected as the host site for the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling, the Metro Denver Sports Commission said today.
A final agreement is pending, but the U.S. Curling Association board of directors voted Saturday to accept a bid presented by the commission to host the week-long competition from Feb. 21 to Feb. 28, 2009, at the Broomfield Event Center.
“Our goal going into this site-selection process was to choose a site that will help us put on a great championship as well as a highly entertaining event,” USCA vice president of championships, James Pleasants, said in a statement.
Also bidding to host the trials were Bismarck, N.D.; Fairbanks, Alaska; Milwaukee; and Rochester, N.Y.
“We ultimately chose Denver because we believe that this is the right place at the right time for what we are trying to accomplish with our premiere event,” Pleasants said.
Ten men’s and women’s teams are expected to compete at the trials, which will determine the U.S. team for the event at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C.
The competition also will serve as the 2009 USA Curling National Championships, with the winning teams advancing to the 2009 World Championships.
The USCA hopes to surround the trials with an interactive fan zone and other entertainment to enhance the fan experience.
The Vancouver Olympic Games will take place Feb. 12 to Feb. 28, 2010.
Staff writer Andy Vuong can be reached at 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com. Visit his blog at .
