Korey Dropkin’s 2026 Silver: Inside the Training, Culture, and Future of American Curling

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. From Duluth to the Dolomites: the long arc of a curler
4. League culture and the social fabric of curling
5. Training like a curler: the fitness behind the slide
6. Equipment, style, and superstition: the shoe story
7. The Olympic moment and how elite athletes celebrate
8. Growing curling in the U.S.: infrastructure, coverage, and new leagues
9. Sponsorship and partnership: the role of brands
10. The mental game: resilience, small wins, and sticking points
11. What a day looks like for a top curler
12. From grassroots to pro: what's needed at each level
13. Rock League in context: a test case
14. The athlete-brand relationship: authenticity matters
15. The next generation: how young athletes see the sport
16. The international lens: lessons from Canada and Europe
17. The community imperative: why local clubs still matter
18. The business case: why investing in curling is viable
19. The cultural shift: balancing tradition with spectacle
20. What the Olympics changed — and what remains to be done
21. The athlete’s credo: moderation, persistence, and community
22. The immediate future: what to watch for
23. FAQ

Key Highlights

• Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse won the United States' first Olympic mixed doubles curling medal in 2026, a performance that blended elite preparation, grassroots culture, and a clear vision for growing the sport.
• Dropkin attributes success to years of structured training, daily flexibility work, community-based leagues, and new initiatives — notably the Rock League professional circuit — that aim to broaden curling's appeal in the U.S.

Introduction

A few days after standing on the Olympic podium in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Korey Dropkin answered a video call from a gondola with the Dolomites sweeping behind him. The scene captured both the surreal pull of the Olympic moment and the grounded, everyday roots of curling culture that shaped his career. Dropkin, who teamed with Cory Thiesse to win silver in mixed doubles at the 2026 Winter Games, is as much a product of Duluth’s curling lanes and community clubs as he is of sport science and meticulous preparation.

This article traces the arc behind that medal: the rituals and routines that sustain elite curlers, the club culture that keeps the sport alive in towns and cities across America, and the strategic moves the sport needs to expand its footprint. Dropkin’s experience offers a practical blueprint — and a candid appeal — to anyone who wants to understand why curling matters, how athletes prepare, and what comes next for the sport in the United States.

From Duluth to the Dolomites: the long arc of a curler

Korey Dropkin began sliding on sheets at age five. Curling in his family was not a pastime but a season of life: practices, league nights, junior competitions. He watched his older brother and learned the rituals of a local club — arriving early, warming up, socializing after the game — long before he imagined an Olympic podium.

The Olympic aspiration arrived when Dropkin was ten. He recalls watching Pete Fenson and the U.S. men win bronze in Torino, a moment that made the Olympics seem achievable for an American curler. That seed germinated through youth championships. At 17 or 18, Dropkin won the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games trials, bringing the taste of international competition when he represented the U.S. in Innsbruck. A few months later he competed at Junior Worlds in Östersund. Those consecutive experiences did what practice alone could not: they made an Olympic dream concrete.

Success did not come without setbacks. Dropkin’s path included "massive losses on the Olympic trial stage," yet he emphasizes the habit of getting back up. The arc from local league kid to Olympic medalist shows that development in curling follows a long, iterative process — technique, game sense, travel, and incremental exposure to higher-pressure events.

Real-world context: curling athletes from winter-sport nations rarely break through overnight. In nations with developed programs, that long arc is supported by junior development systems, regular international competition, and established coaching pathways. Dropkin’s story illustrates how Americans can navigate these milestones: start local, take each international experience as calibration, and persist through setbacks.

League culture and the social fabric of curling

Curling clubs in the U.S. are community hubs. Dropkin describes the Duluth Curling Club’s weekly leagues as the "grassroots of the sport." League nights are diverse — mixed leagues, beginner sessions, competitive draws — but they share a predictable rhythm: warm up, play, then head upstairs for conversation and the customary post-game beverage. The ritual sustains membership and builds lifelong relationships.

That social element is more than trivia. It’s a recruitment engine. People who try curling socially — through a "learn to curl" session or a mixed league with friends — are the pool from which clubs draw future competitors, volunteers, and fans. Dropkin pointed out that after a Tuesday competitive draw, teams often "get there a bit early to warm up at the bar," then return upstairs afterward. The winner buys the first beverage and conversation follows. Those moments make the sport sticky.

A sponsor like Dale’s Pale Ale, which became the Official Beer of USA Curling, plugs into that culture naturally. Dropkin recounted seeing a giant Dale’s can behind a championship photo: a visible signal that a brand can support the sport without changing its character. For clubs, sponsorships help defray costs for events and can raise the profile of local tournaments.

Contrast with other sports: hockey, for example, benefits from a robust youth system that funnels players into higher levels and creates a steady fan base. Curling’s advantage is intimacy. A club member is often a stakeholder; volunteers run bonspiels and keep ice time affordable. The challenge is scaling that intimacy into national visibility.

Training like a curler: the fitness behind the slide

Public perception often misunderstands curling as a light pastime. Dropkin rejects that notion. He outlined an offseason and in-season routine that would be familiar to committed athletes in other sports.

Offseason regimen:

• Six days per week in the gym.
• Four strength workouts weekly focused on two or three major muscle groups each session.
• Three cardio days featuring high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or single-leg isolation work for balance and stability.
• Daily flexibility and mobility work — yoga-style stretches to maintain pliability and reduce injury risk.
• Frequent two-a-day sessions: a morning strength block and an evening endurance or mobility block.
• One rest day (Sunday) for recovery.

In-season adjustments:

• Reduced gym volume when competing — games themselves provide cardiovascular and muscular load.
• Light cardio and focused stretching on competition days to maintain blood flow and mobility.
• Continued strength sessions three to four times weekly, calibrated to avoid fatigue.

Dropkin emphasized the injury-prevention component: curling demands sustained postures during the delivery, explosive sweeping, and shoulder and core endurance. Single-leg stability and hip mobility are critical. That aligns with sport science: curling’s kinetic chain moves from foot placement to torso rotation and arm extension, requiring coordinated strength and balance.

Diet and recovery Dropkin keeps an eye on nutrition. He eats "pretty well" and favors moderation rather than total abstinence. He articulated a pragmatic approach: avoid excess, but do not eliminate pleasure. For athletes, that balance supports performance while maintaining social and psychological sustainability. Recovery protocols — stretching, strategic rest days, and monitored intensity — keep him competition-ready.

Why this matters beyond curling Athletes in niche sports often must manage training without the support structures found in major professional leagues. Dropkin’s routine reflects self-discipline and practical programming that can scale: focus on compound strength, single-leg stability, cardio that reflects sport demands, and mobility to prevent chronic issues. Coaches and clubs that adopt similar regimens can speed athlete development.

Equipment, style, and superstition: the shoe story

Equipment choices in curling have both technical and symbolic weight. Shoes matter for two reasons: functional traction and personal identity.

Dropkin has customized multiple pairs of curling shoes; four or five over his career. Shoe manufacturers offer curling-specific footwear — grippers and sliders that change friction during delivery — but Dropkin also likes to express personality. He described a pair that matched Dale’s Pale Ale can colors and a pair of Air Force Ones he once retired and then brought back after a stretch revealed "we’re back." The shoes became part ritual, part performance.

Athletes across sports use apparel and ritual to anchor confidence. For Dropkin, the shoes are not talismans but practical gear tuned through experience. He tested different pairs during training, kept the ones that clicked, and occasionally retired pairs after big wins — a personal superstition that also creates narrative for fans.

Practical takeaway: curling clubs and coaches should encourage players to experiment with equipment in practice, focus on fit and balance, and recognize that personal rituals often stabilize performance under pressure.

The Olympic moment and how elite athletes celebrate

The Olympic timeline is compressed and intense. Dropkin and Thiesse qualified in early May, then entered a year-long buildup, including a pre-Olympic training camp in Switzerland and acclimation in Milan and Cortina. Once competition began, their schedule contracted into five days of two games per day — an "Eat, Sleep, Curl" cycle that requires relentless focus.

Family and community felt the emotional pressure of that schedule. Dropkin’s family arrived on the fourth day; he saw them briefly before the first game and mostly remained in the athlete bubble until after the medal ceremony. The first real celebration occurred after the medal ceremony and media obligations, when the team and families shared a hotel room and a meal.

Importantly, Dropkin noted that the process of internalizing an Olympic medal is gradual. He described it as a "process in terms of processing it." That captures an athlete’s paradox: the moment is instantaneous but the meaning accrues over months and years. Athletes often need time away from the spotlight to integrate the experience into their personal and professional narratives.

Athlete welfare note: compressed competition schedules and intense media obligations make mental health and decompression strategies essential. Clubs and governing bodies should plan for structured family time, accessible sports psychology resources, and post-competition decompression to help athletes process outcomes.

Growing curling in the U.S.: infrastructure, coverage, and new leagues

Medals attract attention, but sustainable growth needs infrastructure and consistent media exposure.

Build ice where people live Dropkin stressed the prohibitive cost of building curling clubs. New facilities require ice technicians, refrigeration systems, and capital investment. Without local rinks, interested newcomers face geographic barriers. The solution is twofold: leverage existing ice time in arenas for temporary curling sheets, and incentivize facility development through public-private partnerships or regional curling hubs that serve multiple communities.

Broadcast curling more often Television exposure matters. Dropkin cited Canada’s example: Sportsnet broadcasts Grand Slam events and maintains regular coverage that keeps curling in front of viewers. U.S. audiences rarely see curling outside the Olympics, creating awareness gaps. One mainstream network carrying regular competitions would transform familiarity into fandom.

Rock League: a strategic innovation Dropkin is captain of Frontier Curling Club, one of six franchises in Rock League — the first mixed-gender professional curling league. The structure: six franchises with teams in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. The league intends to stage events with a festival atmosphere, louder crowds, and a youth-oriented vibe.

Why Rock League matters:

• Mixed-gender professional play increases inclusivity and offers new narratives for viewers.
• Festival-style events target younger fans who seek energy, music, and spectacle.
• Franchise-based formats encourage city-based loyalties and marketing partnerships.
• International distribution of franchises helps globalize the product and opens new broadcast territories.

Realistic expectations: Rock League can recruit fans from social sports, extreme sports, and younger demographics if it pairs competitive integrity with accessible presentation. Commercial success depends on securing broadcast rights and creating experiences that extend beyond the games — music, food, fan activations, and streamlined social media content.

Changing etiquette to match the audience Traditional curling etiquette — a hushed, respectful environment — shaped the sport’s identity. Dropkin argues the sport must evolve. At mixed doubles events in Cortina, fans generated electric noise that energized the players. He believes curling can live with both tradition and excitement. The balancing act will be governance and promotion: allow louder atmospheres during certain events while preserving etiquette for grassroots and junior competitions where learning safety and respect matters.

Scaling attendance through spectacle Successful spectator sports scale through repeat experiences — fans attend once and return. Curling can adopt models from hockey and football: create season tickets, package deals with local businesses, and family-friendly events tailored to local communities. Grand Slam-style tournaments that travel to different cities can seed future club development by showing what high-level curling looks like live.

Sponsorship and partnership: the role of brands

Dale’s Pale Ale’s involvement with USA Curling illuminates a model where brand fit matters. Alcohol brands, beverage companies, and local sponsors naturally complement curling’s social culture. Effective partnerships should:

• Support grassroots programs (youth clinics, equipment grants).
• Sponsor local bonspiels and championships to increase visibility.
• Fund broadcast production or digital streaming to expand reach.
• Activate on-site experiences at events to grow live attendance.

Dropkin’s ambassador role with Dale’s demonstrates how athletes can personalize a brand partnership: showcasing a can after a championship photo, matching footwear to can colors, and telling club-level stories that resonate with consumers.

Caveat: sports and alcohol partnerships must consider community standards and youth programming. Clubs and sponsors should implement responsible marketing practices, ensuring family-friendly aspects of curling remain accessible.

The mental game: resilience, small wins, and sticking points

Dropkin’s timeline included major setbacks on Olympic-trial stages, yet the consistent theme was resilience. Two factors shape mental durability for curlers:

1. Incremental mastery Curling rewards small, measurable improvements: cleaner center-line draws, better weight control, sharper sweeping technique. Athletes who track micro-progress — percentage of successful shots in practice, improved sweep distance, or consistent timing — build confidence that cascades into competitions.
2. Contextualized failure Competitive curling involves high variance: ice conditions shift, teams adapt, stones take unexpected paths. Dropkin framed losses as data. He pointed to the Youth Olympics and junior worlds as calibration points. Athletes who treat losses as feedback develop iterative training cycles rather than catastrophizing single outcomes.

Support systems: sport psychologists, team debriefs, and coach-led reflective sessions turn losses into growth moments. Clubs that normalize constructive post-game analysis create environments where setbacks accelerate development.

What a day looks like for a top curler

Dropkin sketched a typical training day during the offseason and the cadence shifts during competition. A representative offseason day:

• Morning: strength session focusing on major muscle groups (squats, deadlifts, core stability).
• Midday: mobility and targeted stretching; nutrition timed around workouts.
• Evening: endurance or HIIT circuit emphasizing single-leg strength, lateral stability, and shoulder endurance.
• Night: foam rolling, light stretching, and sleep hygiene practices to recover.

During tournaments:

• Sleep and light movement prioritized between games.
• Pre-game routines include dynamic warm-ups, mental visualization, and brief technical reps on the ice.
• Post-game: cooldown stretching, hydration, and targeted recovery modalities (contrast baths, compression, or massage if available).

For aspiring curlers, the takeaway is practical: structured training that targets the sport’s physical demands — unipodal balance, hip mobility, shoulder endurance, and cardiovascular resilience — will yield disproportionate benefits.

From grassroots to pro: what's needed at each level

Growth requires differentiated strategies across the development pipeline:

Local club level

• Affordable "learn to curl" programs and school outreach.
• Volunteer recruitment and basic coach training to retain beginners.
• Partnerships with local arenas to host pop-up sheets in communities without permanent clubs.

Regional/national level

• Tiered competition structures that bridge local leagues to national events.
• Funding for travel stipends to reduce economic barriers for talented juniors.
• Coach education and certification to raise the standard of instruction.

Professional level

• Stable league structures with broadcast agreements.
• Sponsorship packages tied to measurable attendance, streaming metrics, and youth engagement.
• Cross-border collaboration to create international events outside the Olympic cycle.

Dropkin’s view: success hinges on both creating access points (more ice) and consistent exposure (more broadcasts). A combined supply-and-demand strategy raises participation while turning casual viewers into engaged fans.

Rock League in context: a test case

The Rock League aims to rebrand curling as an accessible, festival-style sport with mixed-gender teams and an entertainment-first presentation. Its six-franchise model makes it manageable initially while providing a nucleus of content for broadcasters.

Critical success factors:

• High-quality production values to match spectator expectations of modern sports media.
• Clear, consistent rules and broadcast-friendly formats that emphasize action.
• Community activations that translate ephemeral events into long-term local engagement — clinics, meet-and-greets, and partnerships with clubs.

Potential pitfalls:

• Alienating long-time fans who value the sport’s traditions if the league over-commercializes the experience.
• Failing to secure stable broadcast windows, which would throttle the league’s exposure and sponsorship value.

If Rock League succeeds in generating reliable viewership, it will provide a revenue stream to fund grassroots initiatives and justify more permanent facilities in underserved regions.

The athlete-brand relationship: authenticity matters

Dropkin’s ambassador role with Dale’s succeeds because it feels authentic. He is a longtime Dale’s drinker; his narrative includes league nights and community moments. Brands that partner with athletes must prioritize authenticity over transactional promotion. Authentic campaigns should:

• Amplify athlete stories that reflect everyday club life.
• Fund programming that grows the sport rather than only branding events.
• Provide athletes with creative latitude to represent their sport sincerely.

Authenticity builds trust. Fans can detect forced endorsements; they respond to partnerships that reflect athletes’ lived experience.

The next generation: how young athletes see the sport

Dropkin’s path — junior national titles, youth Olympics, junior worlds — is replicable when youth programs are robust and visible. To attract the next wave:

• Schools and youth organizations should offer curling as a seasonal option.
• Clubs should prioritize beginner-friendly times and youth scholarships.
• Media should spotlight junior competitions to create role models for younger athletes.

Increasingly, younger athletes choose sports with visible professional pathways. Rock League and sustained broadcast of national championships will help position curling as a viable, aspirational sport for ambitious youth.

The international lens: lessons from Canada and Europe

Canada’s model shows the value of consistent broadcast coverage and a layered competition structure. Sportsnet’s regular Grand Slam broadcasts keep curling a weekly presence for fans. In Europe and Asia, strong national federations have invested in development programs and coaching pipelines.

The U.S. can adapt these lessons while leveraging its own advantages: a large geography with concentrated cities ready to host franchises, and an appetite for new live sports that create experiential weekends. Cross-pollinating best practices — coach education from Canada, event production from European promoters, and digital engagement tailored to U.S. fans — will speed growth.

The community imperative: why local clubs still matter

For all the talk of leagues and TV deals, local clubs remain the sport’s backbone. Dropkin returns to Duluth for league play and values the social connections intrinsic to the sport. Clubs provide:

• Access to ice time for beginners and hobbyists.
• Volunteer manpower for events, coaching, and ice maintenance.
• A recruitment funnel for competitive programs.

Investment in club infrastructure — training club coaches, subsidizing youth clinics, and investing in basic facility improvements — yields disproportionate returns in participation and volunteer engagement.

The business case: why investing in curling is viable

Skeptics will ask whether the economics support widespread investment. A phased approach can reduce risk:

• Pilot pop-up sheets in underserved markets using converted arena time.
• Launch city-based Rock League events with incremental production budgets tied to audience targets.
• Use sponsorship dollars to underwrite youth development, creating a virtuous cycle: sponsored grassroots programs increase participation, producing more fans and players for higher-level events.

Brands that see curling as an opportunity can leverage its social, community-based image. Tapping into fan loyalty around club identity and athlete narratives — like Dropkin’s — creates marketing value beyond simple impressions.

The cultural shift: balancing tradition with spectacle

Curling’s identity has always included civility and respect for opponents. Dropkin does not call for abandoning that history; rather, he advocates controlled evolution. Events that target younger fans can embrace louder crowds and energizing presentation, while local leagues and junior events maintain quieter, instructional environments.

This dual-track strategy preserves the sport’s core values while expanding its commercial and cultural reach. It recognizes that different audiences seek different experiences without forcing a single, homogenized identity on the sport.

What the Olympics changed — and what remains to be done

An Olympic medal accelerates interest and raises visibility, but it does not automatically restructure infrastructure or guarantee sustained coverage. After Milano-Cortina, curling in the U.S. has momentum. The tasks ahead are concrete:

• Convert ephemeral attention into regular broadcast agreements.
• Prioritize club development where gaps exist.
• Cultivate professional events that combine spectacle with authenticity.
• Fund coaching and youth programs to make the talent pipeline resilient.

Dropkin’s silver medal is a symbolic and practical lever. It proves American curlers can compete on the highest stage and creates a narrative that organizers, sponsors, and broadcasters can use to build an enduring audience.

The athlete’s credo: moderation, persistence, and community

Dropkin’s personal philosophy threads through his account: work hard, maintain balance, and value community. He trains intensively but maintains social rituals — like league nights and the occasional beer — and emphasizes moderation. He credits family, club volunteers, and sponsors for making his Olympic moment possible.

That balance is instructive for anyone involved with sports: elite performance requires sustained sacrifice, but athletes also depend on social networks and sustainable routines to perform at their best.

The immediate future: what to watch for

Watch these markers as indicators of sustained growth:

• Rock League’s initial audience numbers and broadcast deals.
• Local club expansion or pop-up initiatives in new regions.
• Sponsor activation beyond logos — e.g., youth clinics and facility grants.
• Increased streaming or television slots for Grand Slam and national events.

If those elements align, the sport will move from Olympic spikes to steady engagement.

FAQ

Q: How long did it take Korey Dropkin to reach the Olympic level? A: He started curling at five and experienced pivotal moments in his teens — winning the Winter Youth Olympic Games trials and competing at Junior Worlds. The path spanned more than a decade of incremental progress, international experience, and learning from setbacks.

Q: What does a top curler’s training schedule look like? A: Offseason training often includes six days per week in the gym, four strength sessions, three cardio/HIIT sessions, daily mobility work, and one rest day. In-season volume decreases to preserve energy for competition, with light cardio, mobility, and maintenance strength sessions.

Q: How can a community start curling without a permanent facility? A: Pop-up sheets in existing arenas, temporary conversions, and partnerships with local ice rinks can introduce curling. Clubs can also run "try curling" events and mobile coaching clinics to seed interest.

Q: What is Rock League and why does it matter? A: Rock League is the first mixed-gender professional curling league with six franchises across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. It aims to create festival-style events, draw younger audiences, and present curling in a broadcast-friendly format.

Q: Does curling require specialized equipment? A: Basic equipment includes curling shoes with a slider and gripper, a broom, and warm clothes. Competitive athletes often customize shoes for fit and style. Clubs typically provide rental equipment for beginners.

Q: Why are sponsorships like Dale’s Pale Ale important? A: Sponsorships fund events, grassroots programs, and media exposure. Brands aligned with curling’s social culture can support clubs financially and provide promotional platforms that increase visibility.

Q: What can increase curling’s popularity in the U.S.? A: More local clubs and ice access, regular broadcast coverage, festival-style professional events, and targeted youth programs. A mainstream network airing weekly or regular events would accelerate recognition.

Q: Is curling physically demanding? A: Yes. Curling requires strength, balance, hip mobility, shoulder endurance, and cardiovascular fitness — especially in sweeping. Elite curlers follow structured strength and conditioning programs.

Q: How can beginners get involved? A: Contact a local curling club for "learn to curl" sessions, attend public open houses, join recreational leagues, and try equipment rentals. Many clubs offer introductory programs and beginner leagues.

Q: What should fans look for at live events? A: Watch the intensity of sweeping, the precision of weight and line control, and the strategic communication between thrower and skip. Live crowds add atmosphere and can influence momentum in tight matches.

Q: Will curling keep evolving away from its traditions? A: Evolution is likely but not unilateral. The sport can maintain respectful traditions in many settings while embracing louder, more theatrical presentations at professional events to attract new audiences.

Q: What makes Dropkin’s ambassador role effective? A: Authenticity. Dropkin has a personal history with Dale’s Pale Ale and ties to club culture. He uses the partnership to tell genuine stories about community and competition, rather than purely promotional messaging.

Q: How can parents support young curlers? A: Enroll children in junior programs, support travel to competitions, encourage coach-led development, and emphasize fun alongside technical growth. Financial and logistical support is often the main barrier for promising juniors.

Q: What is one immediate step for clubs to grow membership? A: Run accessible, low-cost "try curling" events with social elements — food, brief instruction, and follow-up league sign-ups. Create a welcoming environment where beginners feel comfortable returning.

Q: How important is broadcast coverage for curling’s growth? A: Vital. Regular broadcasts create familiarity, produce role models, attract sponsors, and motivate youth participation. Without consistent media presence, interest spikes will likely fade after major events.

Q: How do elite curlers handle pressure during tournaments? A: Through deliberate routines: consistent warm-ups, visualization, tracking micro-progress, and relying on support from coaches and teammates. Treating losses as data rather than moral failure helps maintain perspective.

Q: Can someone become an elite curler if they start later in life? A: Starting young offers advantages, but late starters can achieve high levels with focused practice, access to good coaching, and competitive exposure. The sport rewards deliberate technical work and strategic learning.

Q: What practical changes can national governing bodies prioritize now? A: Secure broadcast deals, invest in coach education, offer travel grants for juniors, and partner with local governments or private groups to expand ice access.

Q: What is the best way to follow Dropkin and the U.S. teams moving forward? A: Follow USA Curling’s official channels, Rock League announcements, national championship schedules, and major Grand Slam events. Athlete social accounts often provide behind-the-scenes content and event updates.

Korey Dropkin’s Olympic silver is both testament and promise: it celebrates a career built on club values, disciplined training, and relentless pursuit, and it offers a platform to modernize and expand American curling. The ingredients for growth are visible — community, media, sponsorship, and a new professional circuit — but they require focused translation into programs, coverage, and facilities. If those pieces come together, the next generation of curlers will find it easier to start, harder to leave, and more likely to see the sport on TV every week rather than only every four years.