The Spirit of Curling has no Borders

MARSHFIELD--A motorcoach with the emblem CANAM CUP carrying 20 Canadian curlers pulled into the Marshfield Fairgrounds this past weekend. The Canadian representatives were here to compete against members of the Marshfield Curling Club.
The concept of Canadians competing against USA curlers found its birth in Las Vegas, Nevada at the 2017 Men’s World Curling Championships. Peter Inch, then Chairman of Curling Canada and Rich Lepping, Chairman of the US Curling Association (USCA) met to discuss how they could have an international competition similar to the Scots Tour, a competition between US/Canadian curlers and the Scottish curlers. This relationship would benefit the growth of the sport in North America and enhance relationships between the two countries.
Two years later, the 1st CANAM Cup tour was held which showcased the US men’s team traveling into the Eastern Canadian territory. The meeting ended with the US winning in total points 623-613 on the last day and last game of the competition.
The competition occurs every five years which alternates between countries. The 2024 tour is the 2nd meeting between the two countries. This year the Canadian team is looking to return to Canada with the CANAM Cup.
The Canadian team arrived in the US on Nov. 2 and began competing against teams from the St. Paul area. Marshfield was the 8th city on the tour. By the end of the tour, the Canadians will have faced 28 teams from MN, WI, IL, IN, and MI; have played 107 games and traveled over 1700 miles. The series will conclude with their final games in Detroit, on Nov. 19.

Peter Inch, Co-Founder of the CANAM Cup, and one of the team skips with this year’s Canadian team stated these 20 players were selected by the merits within their local curling clubs and are true ambassadors of the sport and their country. This year’s Canadian team brought talent from nine provinces through out Canada; reaching the Northwest Territories of Canada to Prince Edwards Island in the southeast region. While Mr. Inch was downplaying the professional skills of their members, various members have competed nationally and international including Scotland, the birth place of curling.
Of the 3 games Marshfield played, Marshfield won 1, with the team of Michael Bissonette, Jon Kalsow, Matthew Ruhbusch, and Jeff Pierpont. The Canadians won the overall point count 30-25. Canada now leads the US in its overall competition 336 to 224.
For more information about Marshfield curling, contact Michael Bissonette at secretary@marshfieldcurling.com.