Chasing Olympic dreams: Germany’s young curling stars on the rise

December is coming, and that means lots of Christmas preparations: shopping, family bonding and festive activities. But that’s not the case for the young German athletes who are aiming for a spot at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Sara Messenzehl, Kim Sutor, and her younger sister Joy Sutor have had a hectic yet noteworthy year. Currently competing in their debut Le Gruyère AOP European Curling Championships 2025 in Lohja, with teammates Zoe Antes and Emira Abbes, the three young women began 2025 with a silver medal at the World Junior Curling Championships this April.

Then in October, they played against six Member Associations in the Pre-Olympic Qualification Event in Aberdeen, Scotland, where they successfully secured one more step toward qualifying as Olympic athletes. After the European Championships, one more challenge remains: the Olympic Qualification Event, which will be held in December.

Four years of curling and counting

Kim and Sara started their curling journey four years ago, while Joy joined a year later. The three began their careers playing in juniors, always aiming for a medal.

That determination earned them silver at the World Junior Championships last April.

Team Germany win silver at the World Junior Curling Championships 2025

Competing with the stars

As the team with the youngest overall roster in the event, competing in the European Curling Championships A- Division is not just a step up in their careers, but also a golden opportunity to face Olympic champions like Team Sweden.

Sara explained, “We grew up watching them, so I remember sitting on the couch, watching them on TV all the time.

“I watched Anna Hasselborg play, and now just standing right next to her in the rink is really, really cool. I mean, we did have a good game against them. I think if we just get a bit more experience, we have everything it takes to beat them.”

Team Germany during their game against Sweden © World Curling / Stephen Fisher

Focused on the Olympics

Coming from curling families, the Olympics has always been their dream.

They had that vision when competing for gold at the Juniors in Cortina, Italy — the exact same venue where Olympic curling will be held in just about two months’ time.

“It’s been a goal for me since I was a child. I hope that I’m going to the Olympics, but it’s so early. It’s a little bit crazy and overwhelming,” said Joy.

Kim Sutor, Germany © World Curling / Alessio Bergadano

Big dreams come with big pressure, but the young German trio, with an average age of 20, remains unshaken heading into the qualifying event.

“We try to keep it cool because we know we can beat everybody there. Just have a cool mind and play some curling, and at the end of the week, maybe we will manage to go,” answered Kim.

They have huge support from the German Curling Association, the German Army’s sports programme, and their families, who all have strong curling backgrounds.

“Us three, we are all from curling families in Germany. My brothers play here as well, so we get the support from home, and that’s just a really good feeling to have people behind us who will always support us no matter what happens,” added Messenzehl.

Sara Messenzehl, Germany © World Curling / James Roberts

Different priorities

Typically, young women their age are still finding their purpose in life, but for Sara, Kim, and Joy, the Olympics is the ultimate goal, which is far from impossible.

“Some days you’re like, ‘you’re young women, you’re teenagers, you want to go out partying,’ but in moments like standing here, it’s all worth it. Every time we get an end, get a point, play against good teams, and play a good game — it is worth it.”

For now, the three are focused on the Europeans while having fun along the way.

“We always keep the spirits fun and high, keep the smile on our faces, and with that, we can do big things.

“We need the good mood on the ice, and I think everybody can see that we’re always having a blast out there.”