Curling Debates Video Review After Controversial Call

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, February 15th 2026 at 13:33 GMT by The Straits Times
      Locales: CANADA, SWITZERLAND

Curling Confronts the Future: Video Review Debate Heats Up Amidst Games Controversy

PENTICTON - The Winter Games are proving to be a thrilling showcase of athletic prowess, but for curling, the excitement is increasingly intertwined with controversy. A surge in the sport's popularity is coinciding with heated debates over rulings, specifically concerning the subtle but crucial infraction of "double-touching" - when a player or their broom inadvertently contacts a moving stone. The most recent incident, during the Switzerland versus Canada match, has reignited calls for a dramatic shift in how the sport is officiated: the implementation of video review.

The incident in question involved Silvana Tirman, skip for the Swiss team, who appeared to make contact with a stone while sweeping during a critical moment in the round-robin game. The call, or lack thereof, sparked immediate disagreement from Canada's Laura Walker, who expressed her frustration with the ambiguity surrounding the decision. "It's tough, right? That's a big call in a game like that," Walker stated, highlighting the high stakes involved in international competition. "Sometimes you just need a bit more clarity to see what happened."

This isn't an isolated occurrence. The inherent difficulty in visually confirming a double-touch, especially with the speed and precision of modern curling, has long been a source of contention. For decades, curling has held onto a tradition of self-regulation and the "spirit of curling," relying heavily on player honesty and the judgment of on-ice officials. This honor system, while historically central to the game's ethos, is now being challenged by the increasing scrutiny of televised competition and the demand for absolute fairness.

Tirman herself acknowledged the frustration surrounding the incident and surprisingly voiced her support for exploring video review technology. "It would be nice to have something like that. It's frustrating when you don't know exactly what happened," she conceded, echoing the sentiments of a growing number of athletes. Her openness to change is significant, given the traditional resistance to altering the fundamental principles of the sport.

The challenge lies in balancing the preservation of curling's unique character with the need for accurate and consistent officiating. Currently, rules are largely subjective, relying on the interpretation of officials who must make split-second decisions based on limited visual information. As Tirman pointed out, "It's very subjective...it's a bit difficult to see what exactly happened." This subjectivity introduces the potential for human error, which can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game, particularly at the highest levels of competition.

Introducing video review wouldn't be without its hurdles. There's the logistical aspect - how many cameras would be required, what angles would be necessary, and how quickly the review process could be completed without disrupting the flow of the game. There's also the question of what constitutes conclusive evidence. A slow-motion replay might reveal a touch, but determining intent or whether the touch affected the stone's trajectory would still require subjective judgment. Furthermore, some purists fear that constant review would erode the spirit of the game and turn curling into a more litigious, less fluid sport.

However, proponents argue that the benefits of increased accuracy and fairness outweigh these concerns. The potential for a clear, unbiased ruling on contentious calls could not only prevent frustration and disputes but also enhance the sport's credibility and appeal to a wider audience. The increasing availability of sophisticated camera technology and instant replay systems makes the implementation of video review increasingly feasible.

Looking ahead, the World Curling Federation (WCF) is likely to face mounting pressure to address this issue. A pilot program introducing video review for specific scenarios, such as potential double-touching incidents or boundary violations, could be a reasonable first step. This would allow the WCF to assess the feasibility and impact of the technology before making a broader commitment. The Swiss-Canada incident at the Games has served as a stark reminder that the current system is not foolproof, and that inaction risks further eroding trust in the fairness of the competition. The future of curling may very well depend on its willingness to embrace innovation while remaining true to its core values.