The 2008 Minnesota Men’s and Women’s State Championships begin today at Curl Mesabi in Eveleth, MN. Duluth teams skipped by Jon Medure, Thomas Eng, Norma O’Leary and Linda Lanigan will be competing for spots in the National Club Championships (although Norma O’Leary’s home club is listed as St. Paul). You can see the draws and standings at this link.

This event also features a New Club Championship, which is open to teams from curling clubs less than ten years old. There are three teams signed up, one from the Brainerd Lakes Curling Club and two from the brand new Edina Curling Club. The New Club games will be played alongside the State Championship games. This is the first year for this format, and is a great sign of the growth of the sport in Minnesota.