Team Brazil at Challenge Cup 2009 - Bismarck, ND (USA)

Brazilian Curling Team to challenge the US again in 2010

Brazil will challenge the US in Grafton, North Dakota (Feb 5-7) for a berth at the 2010 World Men's Curling Championship next April in Cortina, Italy. The Brazilian team continues to train in Canada and has received support from Asham, The University of Sherbrooke, the Lennoxville Curling Club and coach Marc Richard.

"Participation in International events is a key factor for the growth of curling in Brazil," said Brazilian ice sports federation general secretary, Lisa Papandrea, "The team understands what they're up against and that's helped to strengthen their commitment - they've been working hard all year on improving their game. We're using the same formula with our curling program that we've used to develop other Olympic ice sports for Brazil which is basically getting athletes out there participating internationally and building from there. This strategy has created interest and generated more opportunities for growth. We've done the same with bobsledding and figure skating for example and now we're getting some good results."

The Brazilian Ice Sports Federation is aware that the biggest challenge for the future growth of curling and other ice sports is the building of facilities in Brazil. This continues to be their most important goal.