Top international curling returns to Naseby

"The Curler" will greet the teams in Naseby. Photo © NZCA

5 Dec 2018 – The most significant international curling tournament ever held in New Zealand will take place in Naseby, Central Otago next month.

The World Qualification Event, jointly hosted by the New Zealand Curling Association and the Australian Curling Federation, will run at Naseby's Maniototo Curling International rink from 18 to 23 January.

Eight Men's and eight Women's national teams will take part. The top two in each competition will qualify for the remaining two places in their respective 2019 World Championship.

"We're delighted with the chance to host a range of teams from around the world," said NZ Curling Chairman Sam Inder, "many of them for the first time."

"The 2019 Men's and Women's World Championships are the first chance for teams to put themselves in the frame for the 2022 Winter Olympics," he continued. "So the World Championship spots up for grabs here will be keenly contested. The stakes are high and we'll see some great competition."