Germany's curling team missed a medal in Cortina but ignited a hype at home. Coach Uli Kapp hopes this enthusiasm endures and leads to talent discovery. He stresses the need for improved infrastructure in the sport.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina sparked an unexpected hype for curling in Germany, even though the team led by Marc Muskatewitz did not win a medal. Viral internet videos of home attempts excited even the athletes on site. "The great attention we received in Germany was super. We gladly take this support with us," said national coach Uli Kapp in an interview with the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND).
Kapp, who competed in Nagano in 1998, recalls similar phases of euphoria. Back then, curling was mocked, but interest grew in Salt Lake City in 2002 and Turin in 2006. The German association failed to capitalize on the hype at the time, which Kapp regrets in hindsight. This time, it should be different.
On discovering talents, the 54-year-old from Füssen, Germany's curling hub, advises: No special physical prerequisites are needed; anyone can start. "For the entry, half an hour is enough to get a feel for the sport," he explains. Suitable are people who enjoy precision and strategy and are athletically and technically trained. "A generally well-trained athlete, whether skier, ball player, or gymnast, can also enter curling. And someone starting at 14 or 15 still has a good chance to reach the world elite," says Kapp, who began at age 11.
Curling requires ice rinks, stones, and marked fields, available in German halls. However, a social infrastructure like bowling or tennis clubs is lacking. Centers exist in Füssen, Oberstdorf, Rastatt, and Hamburg. Kapp wishes for a location in central Germany and investors for multisport complexes, inspired by Switzerland and the USA after their 2018 victory. The team finished seventh, which was satisfactory. "Of course, we hope it's not just a flash in the pan," Kapp emphasizes.