The qualification process for representing the US at the upcoming World Championships has been announced ©USA Curling

The American qualification process for the upcoming World Curling Championships has been announced.

One significant adjustment in how teams can qualify to represent the United States at the men’s and women’s Championships has been made.

Beginning from the 2016-17 season, any team ranked in the top 25 of the year-to-date World Curling Tour Order of Merit (OOM) on January 23, 2017, will be eligible to represent the US by winning the men’s or women’s 2017 National Championships, regardless of whether or not that team has the highest OOM points total among the top three finishers. 

This effectively allows teams to count points from up to eight eligible competitions, since the OOM is based upon that number.

At the same time, the points system that has been in place will continue to be utilised in the event that a team not in the World Curling Tour Top 25 on January 23, 2017, wins the US nationals in February in Everett, Washington.

One significant adjustment is how teams can qualify to represent USA at the men’s and women’s World Championships ©Getty Images
One significant adjustment is how teams can qualify to represent USA at the men’s and women’s World Championships ©Getty Images

A High Performance Advisory group has been looking into the qualification process.

This group also reached out to numerous other athletes and coaches for input during their review work.

One reason supporting the change is the steady improvement by all US teams in the OOM rankings.

The yearly results of the top three USA teams over the last three years show the upward trend, it is claimed.

Teams can earn additional points in and beyond the US Nationals toward the trials qualification.