The 2018­2019 season has begun at a pace. Already we have had our Annual General Assembly, which involved the introduction of Nigeria, our first African, and 61st, Member Association and an emergency motion that resulted in adecision to introduce a 20 team World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship from 2020, and we’ve had our first competitive event on ice. The inaugural Curling World Cup, in Suzhou, China, was a great success, and it is sure to bring a new dynamic to our season, with its shorter schedule, quick­ fire rounds, and its four stages, which connect and build to towards the Grand Final, back in China, in Beijing, next May. The Olympic Winter Games, in PyeongChang – which it’s hard to believe was this year – has created a buzz for our sport that continues to be felt with the introduction of the Curling World Cup and our mixed doubles discipline receiving two more teams for the next edition of the Games, in Beijing in 2022. If this is the first month of our season, I can’t wait to see what else is in store. But, for now, and for season 2018­2019, good luck and good curling. President and athletes welcome new Curling World Cup The first leg of the Curling World Cup for me was excellent and my sincerest thanks go to the organising committee in Suzhou for putting on such a great show. I know our current broadcast partners are enthusiastic about the new format, but going forward I hope to see the worldwide visibility of this series grow. I am also delighted that the athletes have been full of praise for the new competition and its format and rules. Switzerland's Olympic silver medallist, in mixed doubles, Martin Rios said: "The stadium here is so impressive, it’s unbelievable. I certainly wouldn't mind a curling arena like this in my hometown! If this is where we’re playing the Curling World Cup, where are we going to play the Olympics – on the moon?!" Korea’s women’s skip Minji Kim, who beat Olympic silver medal winner EunJung Kim to compete in Suzhou said: “We think the prize money is a big motivation. We also think the quality of this competition is going to be higher than usual.” Athletes from the United States commented on the new one stone shootout to decide tied games – instead of extra ends. Women’s lead Aileen Geving said: “I think it is great for viewers, everything coming down to one shot. As players, though, it is hard to swallow sometimes. With long games, it seems so short to have one shot determine a game." Meanwhile, men’s skip Rich Ruohonen said, after his team experienced the shootout first hand, against China, “That's the closest measure I've ever had to win a game. It was crazy. We had them by two little clicks!" Annual Review 2017-2018 Download the latest copy of the annual review here. Or, request a print copy from [email protected]. Gender equality and the Olympics The International Olympic Committee is working hard to ensure an equal gender balance throughout the Olympic movement. As part of their efforts, they have produced ‘Gender Portrayal Guidelines’ to ensure "fair and balanced portrayal in all forms of communication". The guidelines can be read here. They include examples of language that can be used to ensure equal representation of women's, men's and mixed sport. Can you host an event? Interested in hosting an international curling championship? You can see what bids are outstanding for the forthcoming seasons here, in our bidding calendar. MA spotlight The Flower Bowl Entertainment Centre at Brock in Lancashire, North West England, opened its doors on Monday 6 August with England’s second curling rink as its centrepiece. The rink has quickly been adopted by Preston Curling Club, England’s oldest Club, who are playing twice a week at the Flower Bowl; this has led to a doubling in membership in just six weeks. More news from our Member Associations can be found on our website... Read On Over the summer the WCF / DCV Hummelt Junior Curling Camp celebrated its 20th anniversary, in Füssen, Germany. This was an opportunity for the World Curling Federation to take stock of the impact its most successful development programme has achieved. Our feature writer, Michael Houston, wrote a four part series charting the camps accomplishments. You can link to each story here: Füssen’s Junior Curling Camp celebrates its 20th anniversary Füssen Junior Camp 2018: The Instructors Füssen Junior Camp 2018: The Campers Füssen Junior Camp 2018: The Alumni Copyright © 2018 World Curling Federation, All rights reserved. To submit articles or to offer feedback please get in touch: [email protected] Credits: All Curling World Cup pictures (inc. Suzhou venue) - © WCF / Céline Stucki England's Flower Bowl curling rink - Courtesy of Anna Fowler, England Curling Association Fuessen camp - © WCF / Christian Leibbrandt Time has been taken to research and share interesting stories, opportunities and content with you from third parties. The opinions in these items belong to the original author and therefore do not represent the views and opinions of the WCF. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list..