Team Casper Secures Olympic Spot, Curling Sees Surge in U.S. Interest
Team Casper, led by 24-year-old Danny Casper, secured the United States' spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics after defeating John Shuster's veteran team at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling in November. Concurrently, 54-year-old Rich Ruohonen, an alternate for Team Casper, made his Olympic debut, becoming the oldest U.S. Winter Olympian.
Following the recent Olympic exposure, curling has experienced a significant increase in viewership, participation, and membership across the United States.
Olympic Trials Victory and Team Composition
Team Casper's victory over John Shuster's veteran team marked their qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Shuster, a five-time Olympian and 2018 gold medalist, had been seeking his sixth Olympic appearance.
The primary members of Team Casper—Danny Casper, Ben Richardson, Aidan Oldenburg, and Luc Violette—are all in their mid-twenties and are preparing for their first Olympic Games. Danny Casper has resumed full-time curling following treatment for Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition he developed two years prior.
The team has indicated plans to incorporate entertainment elements, such as juggling and crowd interaction, to enhance the sport's appeal.
Team Casper members maintain professions outside of curling; the roster includes a civil engineer, an environmental scientist, and Danny Casper previously worked at an Alfa Romeo car dealership.
Rich Ruohonen's Record-Setting Debut
Rich Ruohonen, at 54 years old, joined Team Casper as a fifth player and alternate. He made his Olympic debut during the 2026 Winter Games, surpassing figure skater Joseph Savage, who competed at age 52 in 1932, to become the oldest U.S. athlete to participate in the Winter Olympics. Ruohonen had pursued an Olympic appearance for nearly 40 years, with his initial pursuits dating back to 1988 when curling was a trial sport.
During a match against Switzerland's Team Schwaller, Ruohonen entered the game in the 8th end, with the U.S. team trailing by six points. He threw two rocks and swept for teammates before the U.S. team conceded the match.
At the time of this competition, Team Casper's record was 1-1, following a previous win against Czechia, with seven preliminary round matches remaining. Ruohonen is also a partner at a personal injury law firm.
Growth in U.S. Curling Interest
The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics generated significant viewership for curling. Curling aired daily and registered the largest viewership among all sports covered by NBC. This exposure has correlated with a notable increase in interest and participation in curling nationwide.
USA Curling, the sport's national governing body, reported consistent attendance of 300 to 600 individuals at 'learn-to-curl' events and open houses in recent months. Preliminary data indicates a rise in membership, with multiple clubs adding over 100 new curlers to their beginner leagues. The organization currently has approximately 20,000 members across the country.
The demographic of new curlers shows that individuals aged 21 to 40 constitute the fastest-growing segment, now representing 38 percent of USA Curling's total membership. Smaller clubs, particularly in less populated areas, often rely on this post-Olympics surge for operational stability. For example, the Chesapeake Curling Club in Easton, Maryland, hosted over 300 individuals and is conducting three times more 'learn-to-curl' sessions compared to a typical year.
Dean Gemmell, CEO of USA Curling, stated that the increase in interest following the 2026 Olympics has the potential to impact the sport's future in the United States.