2015 USA–Brazil Challenge

The 2015 USA–Brazil Challenge (officially the Americas Challenge[1]) was a curling challenge that took place from January 30 to February 1 at the Four Seasons Curling Club in Blaine, Minnesota.[2] The challenge round was held to determine which nation will qualify to the last Americas Zone spot at the 2015 Ford World Men's Curling Championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Brazil and the United States played a best-of-five series with the United States skip Heath McCormick winning three games in a row to win the challenge.

2015 USA–Brazil Challenge
Host cityBlaine, Minnesota
ArenaFour Seasons Curling Club
DatesJanuary 30 – February 1
Winner United States
SkipHeath McCormick
ThirdChris Plys
SecondJoe Polo
LeadRyan Brunt
Finalist Brazil (Marcelo Mello)
« 2010
2017 »

Background

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The World Curling Federation allots two spots at the World Men's Curling Championship to the Americas Zone, which are normally taken by Canada and the United States. However, the World Curling Federation allows for other member nations in the Americas Zone (i.e. Brazil) to challenge Canada and/or the United States for berths to the World Championships. As hosts, Canada received an automatic berth to the 2015 World Championships. Thus, Brazil was allowed to challenge the United States for a berth to the 2015 World Championships. This was Brazil's third challenge of the United States, after challenges in 2009 and 2010 proved to be unsuccessful.[2]

Teams

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The teams are listed as follows:[3]

Nation Skip Third Second Lead Alternate
  Brazil Marcelo Mello Scott McMullan Cesar Santos Filipe Nunes Raphael Monticello
  United States Heath McCormick Chris Plys Joe Polo Ryan Brunt Colin Hufman

Results

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Game 1

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Friday, January 30, 19:00

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  United States (McCormick)   1 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 X 7
  Brazil (Mello) 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 X 3

Game 2

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Saturday, January 31, 14:00

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  United States (McCormick) 1 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 X 6
  Brazil (Mello)   0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 X 4

Game 3

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Saturday, January 31, 19:00

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  United States (McCormick)   3 0 3 0 0 1 0 2 X X 9
  Brazil (Mello) 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 X X 4

References

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  1. ^ "World Curling Federation - Americas Challenge begins Friday". www.worldcurling.org. Archived from the original on 2015-01-30.
  2. ^ a b "Brazil set to challenge USA for berth in Ford World Men's Curling Championship 2015". World Curling Federation. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  3. ^ "Americas Challenge". United States Curling Association. Archived from the original on 30 January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
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