World Curling permits firmer foam broom heads despite elite curlers’ concerns

By The Canadian Press on January 24, 2025.

PERTH, United Kingdom – The World Curling Federation says it won’t remove approved broom heads from competition despite recent concerns among elite curlers about foam firmness changing the trajectory of stones.

The world’s top 30 teams released a joint “proposal for fair play” before the WFG Masters in Guelph, Ont., earlier this month amid worries new firmer foam products in some manufacturers’ broom heads gave sweepers too much control over delivered stones.

The WCF says in a statement that after extensive review, all previously approved equipment is still within the rules.

The WCF athletes’ commission worked with players in Guelph in on-ice evaluations to review new and existing broom heads.

The WCF says the review provided no conclusive observations that approved equipment should be removed.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2025.

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