World Curling Tightens Sweeping Equipment Rules Ahead of Olympic Season

World Curling has announced stricter rules regarding sweeping equipment as the sport gears up for the upcoming Olympic season. The decision comes in response to concerns raised by players about the use of firmer broom foams that were believed to provide sweepers with an unfair advantage.

Effective immediately, several popular models from brands such as Goldline, BalancePlus, and Hardline have been banned from competition. Only brushes with less-firm foam will be permitted in official play.

The move follows extensive consultations with players, manufacturers, and ice experts, as well as a sweep-testing exercise conducted at the Morris Curling Club in Manitoba. World Curling officials have emphasized that this decision is just the first step, with ongoing reviews and the development of equipment standards still in progress.

Under the new regulations, brushes such as 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 use in competitive play.

These changes aim to level the playing field and ensure fair competition among all athletes. World Curling is committed to upholding the integrity of the sport and will continue to monitor and evaluate equipment standards to maintain a balance between innovation and fairness.

For more information on the updated sweeping equipment rules, visit the World Curling website.