ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – U.S. Curlers Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin took home a silver medal in Mixed Doubles curling on Tuesday morning, making history in the process.
Korey Dropkin is the first American woman to win a medal in curling, after a thrilling and nail-biting finish in the gold medal game.
Anchorage has its own curling club, dating to before statehood. Competitive curlers in the club said it’s a great moment for the sport.
“When we get medalists at the Olympics, like Schuster or like the Corys, it draws so much positive attention to our sport and it helps us grow,” said competitive Anchorage Curler Sarah Smith.
“And the more that we can grow, the more that the community grows, the clubs get better.”
Smith herself competed in the Mixed Fours National Championship in Denver last year and is on the only women’s competitive team that curls on tour in Anchorage. She said she regularly competes against Olympic teams.
For Smith, she’s happy to see “the Cory’s” success in Cortina.
“Outside of just the pride that you feel for seeing the first woman medal in it, it’s so fantastic for a lot of communities around the United States,” Smith said.
The Anchorage Curling Club has over 200 members but is open to anyone if there is space. Right now, Smith said the best way to get involved is to follow the Anchorage Curling Club on social media to see when they have “Learn to Curls” or their Saturday Night Drop-In League.
Read more on https://www.alaskasnewssource.com
