The Grand Slam of Curling and St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd. were big winners off the ice last night, with the 2024 KIOTI National being crowned Event of the Year by the MPI Atlantic Canada Chapter.
The award was presented last night at The Prince George Hotel in Halifax.
“This award recognizes the incredible collaboration, creativity and energy that came together to present one of the most memorable and engaging events in our long sporting history in NL,” said Brent Meade, CEO St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd. “Funding partners, sponsors, volunteers, staff, and of course the incredible curling fans made this an event that has fueled the transformation of how curling can be presented.”
Held over six days in St. John’s from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1, 2024, the KIOTI National drew more than 100,000 fans to the Mary Brown’s Centre, where the world’s top curlers competed in front of sold-out crowds. The event’s energy extended beyond the ice, with the vibrant Après Curl social house at the nearby Convention Centre creating a city-wide celebration felt across the region.
“The KIOTI National was the most attended event in Grand Slam of Curling history, setting a new standard for what a curling event can be and the impact it can bring to a community,” said Nic Sulsky, CEO of The Curling Group.
“To stand alongside the other world-class nominees in the category and come out on top is an honour that we owe to the volunteers, the hard-working group at the Mary Brown’s Centre, and the incredible curling fans and community in Atlantic Canada. You showed the world how to celebrate this sport — and how to throw a rockin’ party!”
The KIOTI National was selected from a competitive list of finalists, including the 2024 JUNO Awards, ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix, and OCEANS 2024 Halifax. The win is a standout moment for curling and sports events in Atlantic Canada.
It was an event that was not only contained in the Mary Brown’s Centre. After the competition each day, the sport’s biggest stars took to establishments across the city to celebrate with locals — and dance.
Champions of the sport at the highest level were savouring their visit to St. John’s and sharing cheers with sailors and fans alike.
The party reached a fever-pitch during the third edition of the Grand Slam of Karaoke (GSOK). The newly added event lit up Après Curl on Saturday night during the Slam.
With over 1,800 fans in attendance, the high-energy event showcased unforgettable performances from some of curling’s biggest personalities, including Martin Sesaker (Team Ramsfjell), Isabella Wranå (Team Wranå), Blair Haswell (former Team Craik), Mattia Giovanella (Team Retornaz), Selina Gafner (Team X. Schwaller), and Chris Plys and Colin Hufman (Team Shuster).
The night also featured a surprise appearance by Rachel Homan (Team Homan) and a crowd-thrilling encore by two-time Olympic gold medallist John Morris. In a show-stopping finale, Plys, Hufman, and Homan took home the GSOK championship belt.
The next day, following her memorable performance on the stage, Homan went on to make history by winning the KIOTI National title over Team Hasselborg — becoming the first-ever curler to claim back-to-back Grand Slam of Curling and Grand Slam of Karaoke victories.
The KIOTI National swept across the city and region, once again showing how inclusive, fun, and rocking curling truly is.
