World Deaf Curling Championships launches in Minneapolis

BLAINE, MINNESOTA -- With sweeping arms, Mark Kusiak, member of the ICSD Executive Board, signed, "I officially announce the World Deaf Curling Championships 2025 open," and the Mixed Doubles competition was underway.

Per tradition, the opening ceremony started with a bagpiper leading out the parade of nations, and the Mixed Doubles duos of Canada, China, Finland, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Poland, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United States following in sequence.

Mary Rose Weber walks out during the parade of nations at the Opening Ceremony of the Mixed Doubles event at the World Deaf Curling Championships 2025.

"As someone who has curled for many years, I have a big heart for curling, and I am very happy to see everyone come here today and to see this event come to life," remarked Organizing Committee chair, Elizabeth Matthews, who previously curled for the U.S. Deaflympic team.

Elizabeth Matthews, OC Chair, speaking during the Opening Ceremonies at the World Deaf Curling Championships 2025 at the Four Seasons Curling Club in Blaine, Minnesota

The Master of Ceremonies, Herman Fuechtmann, who also previously competed in the Deaflympics, spoke to how fitting it was to bring this event to Minnesota, where curling is a highly popular sport.

Following the opening ceremonies, the teams will now face off against each other in a round robin competition to determine the top four teams that will advance to the Semifinals and the medal rounds on Sunday, April 27.