4 April 2026
Pal Trulsen officially inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame
The Weber County Ice Sheet, curling venue at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games, welcomed one of its most illustrious visitors from that occasion when Pal Trulsen, skip of the Norwegian men’s gold medallists at that event returned for the first time since then to be inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame in a special ceremony during Saturday’s gold medal final of the LGT World Men’s Championship.
This is the highest non-playing honour that World Curling can bestow, and Pal’s achievements over the years, as well as his Olympic gold, make him an obvious candidate for this special award.
The Olympic gold may have been the pinnacle of Pal’s playing career, but he has continued to contribute to the sport as a coach, national federation administrator and event organiser ever since. He has been instrumental in the development of a number of dedicated curling facilities in his native Norway.
Before receiving his award from World Curling Board member Jill Officer, who highlighted that “he is known for his sportsmanship and integrity”, Pal took time out to reflect on his previous time in Ogden. “This is the first time I’ve been back since 2002 — it was completely different at the time, the only thing I remember is the colour of the seats.”
And speaking about his induction, he said, “This is a great honour of course. When you see all the other big names who are there already, I’m not sure I should be there.
“While I’m honoured to receive this, I think my whole team deserve this, it was all achieved through us being together. Curling teaches you that you have to work with others and I think that’s really important.”
He also took time out to have a thought for his fellow Norwegian skip and Hall of Fame inductee, the late Thomas Ulsrud. “What is very nice for me is to get this Award in the same year as former world champion Thomas… we miss him.
In his concluding remarks at the presentation, firmly with tongue in cheek, he announced his campaign for selection at the Utah 2034 Olympic Winter Games.
Further information on the World Curling Hall of Fame is available here.
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