World Curling Championships

The World Curling Championships are annual curling events which showcase the world's best curlers, organized by the World Curling Federation. There are men's, women's and mixed championships. The men's championship started in 1959, while the women's in 1979. Starting in 2005, the men's and women's championships have been held in different venues, with Canada hosting one of the two championships every year: the men's championship in odd years, and the women's championship in even years. Starting in 2008 the mixed doubles championships have been held. Canada has dominated both the men's and women's championships since their inception, although Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany (West Germany), Scotland, the United States and Norway have all won at least one championship.

History

The World Curling Championships began in 1959 as the Scotch Cup; the first three Cups were contested between Scotland and Canada. From 1961 to 1967, the number of teams varied, with from three to eight teams competing each year.

In 1979, the first edition of the Women's Worlds was held. It was held separately from the Men's from 1979-1988. From 1989-2004, the Men's and Women's Championships were held together. From 2005 on, the Championships will be held separately, with one of the two being held in Canada each year.

In 2008, a Mixed Doubles Curling World Championship was held for the first time in Vierumäki, Finland.

From 1968-1988 awards were given to the top three teams (gold, silver, and bronze). Between 1989 and 1994, the bronze was shared by the third- and fourth-placed teams. From 1995–present awards were given to the top three teams (gold, silver, and bronze).

Tournament names

The World Curling Championships have been known by a number of different names over the years.

Men

• 1959–1967: Scotch Cup
• 1968–1985: Air Canada Silver Broom
• 1986–1988: IOC President's Cup (Hexagon)
• 1989–1990: WCF Championships
• 1991–1992: Safeway World Curling Championship
• 1993–1994: WCF Championships
• 1995–2004: Ford World Curling Championship
• 2005–present: Ford World Men's Curling Championship (odd years)
• 2006–present: World Men's Curling Championship (even years)

Women

• 1979–1981: Royal Bank of Scotland World Curling Championships
• 1982: World Curling Championships
• 1983: Pioneer Life World Curling Championships
• 1984: World Curling Championships
• 1985: H&M World Curling Championships
• 1986–1990: World Curling Championships
• 1991–1992: Safeway World Curling Championships
• 1993–1994: World Curling Championships
• 1995–2004: Ford World Curling Championships
• 2005–2007: World Women's Curling Championships (odd years)
• 2006–present: Ford World Women's Curling Championships (even years)
• 2009–present: World Women's Curling Championship (odd years)

Championships

National Championships

Men's

• Tim Hortons Brier
• United States Men's Curling Championships
• Bruadar Scottish Men's Championship
• French Men's Curling Championship
• Russian Men's Curling Championship
• Italian Curling Championship

Women's

• Scotties Tournament of Hearts
• United States Women's Curling Championships
• Columba Cream Scottish Women's Championship
• French Women's Curling Championship
• Italian Curling Championship

Curlers in wheelchairs

The first World Wheelchair Curling Championships was held in 2002. It is an annual wheelchair curling event which showcase the world's best wheelchair curlers, organized by the World Curling Federation.

See also

• List of World Curling Men's Champions
• List of World Curling Women's Champions
• World Junior Curling Championships
• World Senior Curling Championships
• World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship
• World Wheelchair Curling Championship
• Curse of LaBonte

References

• "Championships Search". World Curling Federation. http://results.worldcurling.org/Championships.aspx. Retrieved 2010-03-31.