Curling Canada adopts World Curling rulebook, including new double-touch rule

Curling Canada will be following an explicit rule on double-touching a stone starting this season as it adopts the World Curling rulebook.

Canada’s curling governing body announced Thursday that it will fully align itself with World Curling’s standards after a reduction in key differences between the organizations over the last few years.

That includes World Curling’s new rule on double-touching, which was at the heart of a high-profile controversy at this year’s Milan Cortina Olympics.

During a round-robin match, Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson accused Marc Kennedy of a double-touch infraction — grazing the stone’s granite after releasing the handle. Kennedy responded to the cheating allegation with a profane retort, and Canada ended up winning the match 8-6 en route to claiming the gold medal.