IN THE NEWS


From Page 22: Sweeping Summit findings and results Aſter discussion and deliberation, the recommendations from the


Sweeping Summit were supported by the two Commissions and forwarded to the WCF Board for consideration. Following several weeks of consideration and consultation with stake-


holders, including curling equipment manufacturers, the WCF Board also supported these recommendations in principle. Further discussions are ongoing and work continues to develop the de-


tailed proposals which will be voted on at the WCF Annual Congress in Stockholm in September.


Equipment Equipment produced under these recommended standards has been


demonstrated to be capable of having a reasonable impact when used by elite athletes with a high fitness and skill level and this equipment is specifi- cally intended for use in WCF Championships and events. It is also likely these standards will adopted by other competitions contested by the same elite athletes. Te recommendations from the Sweeping Summit were developed fol-


lowing performance tests conducted in controlled conditions and the keen observations of the resulting effects by some of the best curling athletes in the world. Tere were a number of fabrics tested which performed within accept-


able margins but the single recommended fabric produced particularly consistent results, regardless of which of the three recommended head con- structions or techniques were used. Te recommendation for a single fabric from a single source is intended


to add an additional measure of security to protect the integrity of the field of play in elite competition. By requiring all teams to have the same fabric on their brushes and for construction of the brushes to be within a particu- lar set of specifications, any difference in sweeping performance becomes the difference in the athletic ability and skill of the sweepers. Te immediate focus for the WCF will be to continue to work collab-


oratively with the manufacturers to understand the implications of these recommendations in terms of creating equipment for elite level players in time for the 2016-17 season. Te NRC will produce reports on the testing outcomes from the Sweep-


ing Summit and those reports expected in the next month may assist or- ganizers of other competitions and events, from elite level tours to clubs, in choosing how best to apply the WCF standards for brush heads to their events or leagues. Tat being said, ensuring equipment used by curlers at every level of play


// COCKY ROCKY COMIC STRIP


provides appropriate effectiveness, enjoyment and safety is important to the WCF. Terefore, based on the preliminary results from the Sweeping Summit


which are still to be confirmed by the NRC, the WCF has begun consult- ing with curling equipment manufacturers to determine what steps, if any, should be taken regarding curling equipment intended for recreational use. Aſter the work of the NRC is completed and the full test results are pre-


sented to the WCF Board and Members for consideration, a report will be made public.


Licensed manufacturers Tis past season demonstrated the need for clear standards and speci-


fications for curling equipment and the importance of having in place an efficient and effective system for quality assurance and testing. To that end, collaboration with curling equipment manufacturers has


begun to develop a licensing arrangement for those manufacturers who wish to have their equipment approved for use at WCF Championships and events.


Approval of recommendations Under the terms of the WCF Constitution, it is the Member Associations


at a General Assembly that have the authority to make decisions regarding Rules of Curling. Te next General Assembly is in Stockholm Sweden in early September. Tis timeframe would not allow sufficient time for manufacturers to pro-


duce equipment complying with these recommendations prior to the start of the 2016-17 season, thereby impacting WCF Championships and poten- tially other elite curing events. Terefore, the WCF Board has taken the extraordinary step of advising


the Member Associations of these recommendations, their intended im- pacts and the undesirable consequences of waiting until the General As- sembly in Stockholm. Aſter asking for and receiving no objections from the Member Associa-


tions to proceeding at this time, the Board has taken the decision to proceed with establishing standards based on these recommendations so manufac- turers can begin producing WCF approved equipment in time for next sea- son.


Closing Te WCF Board would like to put on record its deepest gratitude and ap-


preciation to all those involved in the Sweeping Summit. Te single-minded focus of this group to find a solution to the challenges


faced by the sport over the past season has made a significant contribution to ensuring the fundamental principles of curling as a sport which demands a high degree of athletic performance and mental skill, are protected. n


USA Curling (( 23


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