Opening the Door to a New Era
The Philippines’ men’s curling team has turned a story many saw as a novelty into a sustained, returnable bid for Olympic glory. At Curl Aberdeen, the squad that has become known as “Curl Runnings” because of its audacious quest to reach Milano Cortina 2026 showed they can win when it counts, dispatching Poland 7-2 to clinch a top-three finish at the Pre-Olympic Qualification Event 2025. The result wasn’t just another victory; it was a clear signal that this team is here to compete at the highest level on the sport’s world stage.
From Obesity to the Olympics: A Personal Transformation Fuels a National Dream
The journey’s human heartbeat lies with Alan Frei, a Swiss-Filipino entrepreneur who pivoted from selling a business to embracing an active, Olympic-aimed lifestyle. Frei’s evolution mirrors the team’s own arc: a leap from novelty to seriousness in pursuit of a shared goal. As Frei told Olympics.com, the moment was surreal, but so is what lies ahead. The team’s sudden ascent can’t be separated from the personal stories that bind it, including Frei’s decision to reframe his life around sport and teamwork.
Team Chemistry: No Egos, Just a Shared Mission
What makes the Philippines’ curling story stand out isn’t only its results. It’s the chemistry described by Frei: a group free of egos, united in pursuit of one purpose. The roster blends veterans, siblings, and new faces—from Marc and Enrico Pfister to Filipino-Canadian Brayden Carpenter—forming a cohesive unit that remains focused through pressure and disappointment. When Carpenter joined as lead at Aberdeen and Frei shifted to alternate, the team trusted the move as part of a broader Olympic plan. The shared discipline has translated into consistency, even after a tough start to the season where losses piled up before the turning point.
The “Curl Runnings” Momentum: A Realistic Path to Kelowna
With their Aberdeen performance, the Philippines not only earned an Olympic qualifying ticket; they did it by finishing unbeaten across six games. Frei emphasizes that inch by inch progress—staying focused on the next game rather than the next tournament—has been the key. The team’s early-season stumble in the Pan Continental B-Division, followed by a return to form, underscored the resilience and strategic adjustments that define their bid. As the squad looks toward Kelowna, the sense is clear: the dream remains alive, but it’s also a serious, repeatable process rather than a one-time rush.
Looking Ahead: The Pan Continental Circuit and the Kelowna Showdown
Following Aberdeen, the team heads to Virginia, Minnesota for the Pan Continental Curling Championships 2025 (PCCC) A-Division, a competition that serves as a regional qualifier for the Americas, Pacific and Asia zones. While not directly deciding Olympic berths, the event offers an essential practice ground against teams likely to be in Kelowna in December, where the final two Olympic spots will be allocated. Frei describes the PCCC as a valuable dress rehearsal—an opportunity to measure up to the strongest regional teams and refine strategy before the decisive Olympic Qualifier.
A Team with a Global Footprint
The Philippine curling story is increasingly international in scope. Carpenter’s experience in British Columbia and the team’s transnational makeup highlight curling’s global reach and the Philippines’ unique place within it. Frei’s leadership—coupled with a no-drama, all-in approach—has become a blueprint for a country shaping a curling identity that transcends borders.
Conclusion: Back to Day One, but with a New Edge
As Frei notes, it’s “day one” again, with the Olympic goal still in reach. The squad’s momentum, underscored by an unbeaten run and a first-ever gold at the Asian Winter Games 2025, signals that Curl Runnings is more than a catchy label—it’s a credible, ongoing campaign. The Philippines aren’t chasing a one-off upset; they’re building a durable trajectory toward Milano Cortina 2026, inch by inch, game by game, with the world watching and rooting for their perseverance.
