Korey Dropkin has already punched his ticket to Italy in February, but this ain’t no holiday road.
European vacation? More like a European vocation.
This one's for business, not pleasure, as Dropkin has his spot secured for the 2026 Winter Olympics, representing the U.S. in mixed doubles curling alongside Cory Thiesse. The pair won their trials in February and finished fifth at the worlds, good enough to lock up their Olympic berth.
How long will Dropkin be staying in Cortina? TBD.
Dropkin said it’s a relief for sure knowing he’s Italy-bound, but he’s now looking to ensure his men’s teams will be there as well. Winning the U.S. Olympic curling team trials in November isn't enough, as Dropkin will also have to compete in the Olympic Qualification Event in December.
“Being able to have that spot secured and be playing in Cortina with Cory is a huge accomplishment," Dropkin said earlier this month during the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard. "I’m really looking forward to that, but first, I certainly want to make sure we’re doing our best to get there with the men’s team.
"I think it’ll help me be a little bit more collected, calm, and feel more composed in the heat of the moment, especially when the pressure is high. I’m hopeful that it’ll be an advantage for sure for me, and that I’ll be able to enjoy my way through the trials and bring out some of my best stuff.”
The world No. 11 Team Dropkin — which also includes third Thomas Howell, second Andrew Stopera and lead Mark Fenner — hit the ice early this season for the U.S. Pan Continental Curling Championships playdowns. Although they fell short in the event, with Team Shuster securing the berth, Dropkin said it was “good August curling.”
“We probably didn’t have our best play, but we had some really good ends that we played,” he said. “I think it was great prep for all three teams on the men’s and women’s side. It was nice that we were able to have that event, have a playoff for the Pans, we haven’t had that before. Shuster’s boys played great, so they’re going to represent us fantastically at Pans.
“It was really nice just to get some solid reps in early in the season, under the clock. For me, I’d say the more reps we can get in with a clock is better. It’s nice going from the Pans being on the clock to then going to the Euro Super Series being under the clock and both having great ice. We’ve definitely been spoiled a little bit early this season here.”
Up next for Team Dropkin is the AMJ Masters, running Sept. 23-28 at the Western Fair Sports Centre in London, Ont. The first Grand Slam of Curling event of the season will serve as a major test for Dropkin to see how his team stacks up against the world’s best.
“We always look forward to the Slams and the events that The Curling Group are putting on are always amazing,” Dropkin said. “They always have their own little twist, so we’re looking forward to seeing what The Curling Group’s got for us this season and looking forward to going to London and playing at the Masters and giving it our best.”
The twists have already begun. The AMJ Masters pools were determined via pot draft, with competition committee member John Morris handling the honours live on the Broom Brothers podcast with John Cullen. Teams were grouped based on their rankings — Nos. 1-4, Nos. 5-8, Nos. 9-12 and Nos. 13-16 — and then randomly selected, with only one team per group allowed in each pool, similar to the FIFA World Cup draw.
Teams will play four round-robin games: three against the teams within their group plus one against a crossover opponent, to be determined upon the conclusion of pool play.
Consider Dropkin a fan.
“I love the pot format. I thought it was a really neat, new version of selecting the draw and the pools,” Dropkin said. “You don’t always need to know who you’re going to play at the end of the week. I think it’s going to be a fun week.
“I love that they had the podcast and the Johns were pulling from the pots live. I think everything they can do to create a little bit extra fun and bring more energy into the game and incorporate more of the youth into the game, I think it’s great what they’re doing.”
Tickets are now available for the AMJ Masters. Visit GSOCtickets.com to purchase yours today.
Can't make it to London? Live streaming for all AMJ Masters Tier 1 games, plus the Tier 2 finals and GSOC Wheelchair Curling Invitational medal games, will be available for free here on thegrandslamofcurling.com.
