John Lusardi, from the Long Island Curling Club in New York, left, and Rick Kitchin, from the Windsor Curling Club, said the friendship between the two clubs continues to grow thanks to the Cairdeas Cup. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentAlthough the relationship between Canada and the United States is at times strained, that tension hasn’t spilled over onto the ice for the participants of the Cairdeas Cup.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentEvery two years, a group of curlers from West Hants and a group of American curlers from Long Island, N.Y., take part in a friendly competition.Article contentArticle content“There’s good ribbing but there’s no tension between anybody from our side with their side,” said John Lusardi, a curler with the Long Island Curling Club.Article contentArticle contentLusardi was one of 15 Americans who flew to Nova Scotia in November to participate in the Cairdeas Cup tournament in Windsor.Article content“We just enjoy being around each other… There’s a lot of good fun, jokes that we’re playing with each other, and we want to beat each other, but it’s all love. There’s no tension between us.”Article contentIn 2019, Rick Kitchin, a retired rugby player who also enjoys curling, sought out a connection with a curling club in the United States for a friendship exchange. He discovered the Long Island Curling Club was celebrating its 10th anniversary while the Windsor Curling Club was celebrating its 110th year in operation. Kitchin organized the trip to New York, and it was evident the clubs were a perfect match. Long Island won the inaugural event.Article contentArticle contentIn January 2020, just before the world locked down due to COVID-19, the Americans came to Windsor for the first time. Lusardi was with that initial group and has high praise for all involved with the exchange.Article contentArticle content“Their hospitality is beyond belief,” Lusardi said, noting they were picked up from the airport, driven to their hotels, and well-fed.Article content Since 2019, the Cairdeas Cup has been bringing together curlers from communities in Long Island, N.Y., and West Hants for a fun tournament. Now held every two years, the 2025 event was held at the Windsor Curling Club. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle content“We have so much love for all of them, and we have so much love for Kitch for starting this and continuing it.”Article contentLusardi praised Kitchin for organizing the event, which now takes place every two years – giving the curlers more time to plan financially.Article contentKitchin said the relationship is mutually beneficial and said the Long Islanders always treat them well when they travel there.Article content“Especially where we have tariff wars and we have politics dividing people, this is a good time,” Kitchin said, showing off his Cairdeas Cup T-shirt.
Cairdeas Cup fosters friendship between Long Islanders and Nova Scotians
