Opening ceremonies were held Sunday to mark the official start. Organizers reported about 500 people attended and more than $4,000 in merchandise was sold — a one-day record for USA Curling.
Among those in action Monday were the defending tournament champions from China, a dark horse Olympic contender in the Philippines team and the local favorite Team Shuster of the United States — featuring John Shuster, Chris Plys, Colin Hufman and Matt Hamilton.
Iron Range Today was in Virginia on Monday to document some of the action.
Marc Kennedy (front) of Team Canada and Li Zhichao (back) of Team China watch Kennedy’s shot during the action Monday night. Canada won the match 10-4. (Jerry Burnes/Iron Range Today)Kim Hak Kyun of Team Korea stretches between shots during a Monday match against Team New Zealand. Korea prevailed in the match 11-4. (Jerry Burnes/Iron Range Today)Among the largest spectator groups was for Team Philippines, which defeated Team Australia 9-3 on Monday night. The Philippines are considered this year as contenders to reach the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. (Jerry Burnes/Iron Range Today) Team Japan Lead Koizumi Satoshi focuses on the house during his shot against Team USA. Japan lost in its first action of the tournament 8-3. (Jerry Burnes/Iron Range Today)Team China members Fei Xueqing, Li Zhichao and Xu Jingtao sweep the rock late in their 10-4 loss to Team Canada in nine ends. (Jerry Burnes/Iron Range Today)Team Canada’s Ben Hebert, Brett Gallant and Marc Kennedy watch the action Monday as the Canadian flag hangs in the rafters of the Iron Trail Motors Event Center. (Jerry Burnes/Iron Range Today)
For Team Shuster, the 2025 Pan Continental Curling Championships mean a chance to perform against top-level competition in front of a hometown crowd. Duluth and Iron Range curling clubs played a large role in the team’s ascent to a 2018 Olympic gold medal and rockstar status in USA Curling.
Shuster is an Iron Range native from Chisholm and coach Phill Drobnick hails from Eveleth, where Division B of the tournament is being held. Chris Plys is from Duluth.
Friends, family and fans of the local favorites showed up Monday to cheer them onto an opening night 8-3 win over Team Japan. True to form, the Team Shuster members interacted with the fans throughout the match and afterward.
Matt Hamilton high-fives a young fan between shots Monday night. (Jerry Burnes/Iron Range Today)Chris Plys laughs while talked to a group of fans who gathered at the end near the Team USA bench. With Team Shuster cruising to an 8-3 win Monday, they faced an occasional fun heckling from their fans. (Jerry Burnes/Iron Range Today)Two of John Shuster’s sons (right back and right front) watch with a family friend as their dad gives an interview with The Curling Channel following an 8-3 victory over Team Japan on Monday. (Jerry Burnes/Iron Range Today)
