Omaha gets another chance to prove it's a top sporting event host as the U.S. Olympic curling team trials kicked off on Saturday.
While athletes compete for a spot in next year's winter games in South Korea, organizers, fans and competitors say Omaha once again proves it belongs.
The opening ceremonies included the first stone throw from Omaha city councilman Pete Festersen--who played the sport on a national level years ago and there was a welcoming of the men’s and women’s curling teams.
Fans here excited to see the best U.S. curlers in Omaha, “It shows what Omaha can do for the country for USA sports and it's very awesome unique experience,” said curling fan Mitch John.
While in a store on Saturday John said he actually saw one of the curlers, “so it's kind of neat to meet a possible Olympian.”
Just outside Baxter Arena was Winterfest with s’mores, inflatable snowmen and of course—curling.
“It's something different and I think people are intrigued by Olympics and big sports because again you don't see them on everyday on television so I’ve seen a lot of people just experience all these activities and enjoy it,” said David Giglio, Director of Marketing Activation for the United States Olympic Committee.
The excitement is also on the faces of the curlers hoping to represent the U.S. in South Korea.
“It's super exciting. This arena is awesome, playing under the bright lights with a bunch of fans in the stands, it's so much fun and we are just really excited to get started,” said curler Cory Christensen, part Team Christensen.
This is the first time Christensen is competing to go to the Olympics and admits she has some butterflies, “A little nervous but that's a good thing.”
Curling fan Alyse Wulff says she's gone from curious to wanting to watch the sport live every chance she can get.
“Now that it’s closer and local it's easier to watch, I think it's a lot more fun when it's close to your community so that it was really exciting that it was going to be here in Omaha,” said Wulff.
The games go on all week long until there is just one team left in each gender. The last playoff game is next Saturday.
