California curlers are braving extreme cold in Bemidji, Minnesota, for the 2026 Mixed Doubles National Championship. Temperatures dropped to -28 degrees with wind chills of -51, testing competitors from warmer climates. Teams like those from San Francisco and Los Angeles are competing for a spot at the world championships in Switzerland.
The 2026 Mixed Doubles National Championship kicked off at the Bemidji Curling Club, where an announcer welcomed participants by noting the rink felt 80 degrees warmer than outside. On Thursday evening, as draws began at 7:30 p.m., the harsh Minnesota winter lived up to Bemidji's nickname of 'Brrrmidji.'
USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell described the conditions as 'bone-hurting cold,' cranking his hotel heater to 89 degrees. For San Francisco's Connor Robertson, paired with Gabrielle Coleman, it was an unprecedented chill. 'This is probably 60 degrees colder than I've ever felt before,' Robertson said. 'The first step outside, I'm like, 'It's not that bad.' Two steps later, I'm like, 'I need to get to the car right now.'' The pair visited the Bemidji Visitor Center but were advised to return in summer.
Los Angeles native Sean Franey, competing with his wife BriAnna Weldon, anticipated the weather. 'The coldest days are always when we're up here,' Franey remarked, recalling a polar vortex during a 2019 trip to Eveleth. He added, 'Once you get past -10, it all feels the same. You don't really notice it.'
California's curling scene thrives due to Canadian immigrants, with clubs like the San Francisco Curling Club opening a dedicated rink in 2022 and Orange County following suit. Mixed doubles appeals for its intensity, requiring just two players. 'You get to do everything,' Robertson explained. 'Every shot, you're calling the line, you're sweeping, you're judging, you're throwing... There's not really anywhere to hide, which I think makes it so much fun.'
For Coleman, who started curling in 2006 inspired by Bemidji's Olympic teams—where skip Pete Fenson led the U.S. to bronze—competing here is a milestone. 'Bemidji was the club of legends,' she said. 'Here I am, 20 years after the first time I started curling, back here for a championship. It's amazing.' The team flew into Minneapolis-St. Paul and drove four hours north, a routine from Canadian competitions.
After Thursday, Coleman and Robertson stood at 1-3 in Pool B, while Weldon and Franey were 2-2. The tournament advances to qualification rounds Saturday night, with semifinals Sunday morning and the gold medal match that afternoon. Winners will represent the U.S. at the Mixed Doubles World Championship in Switzerland.
