What is a curling power play? What is the hammer? How many ends? Who's on the U.S. team, and will their stone-cold strategy end the medal drought?

While the official start to the Olympics is Friday with the opening ceremonies, the U.S. mixed curling team was in action Thursday in Italy, winning the first two matches of round-robin play. The sport has plenty of interest here in Iowa.

Did you know all Olympic curling stones come from a tiny Scottish island? Why the granite sourced at Ailsa Craig is crucial to this unique sport. (Photo: AP)

He found the Detroit Curling Club, which celebrated its 140th Anniversary in 2025. "The oldest recorded curling in the United States is in the Detroit area, dating back to 1832, and so curling has been around for quite a while here in the Detroit area," said Mike Grudzinski, vice president of Detroit Curling Club.

It might seem inelegant to yeet an iron skillet across an ice rink. But this spinoff sport has its own techniques and lingo: You can throw a turtle at the bacon, for instance.

Friday is the opening ceremony for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Some competitions have already started including curling.As the sport once again takes the world stage, a local curling club is hoping it will inspire some folks to try it out themselves.

Team USA Curling is heating up the in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Shop gear from Fanatics, DICK'S Sporting Good and more.

The Circle City Curling Club in central Indiana is offering beginner clinics. It comes as the sport takes the ice at the Winter Olympics