Curlicious, composed of students from Cornell University, sported two of the top three finishers. Kevin Waskelis and Rena Grossman, both of Curlicious, took gold and silver respectively. In 2008, the #41 rutabaga collided with a wooden barrier and split into two pieces. On inspection, the rutabaga was found to be rotten in the middle. In a controversial decision, the crowd voted to award contestant #41 a replacement rutabaga and another throw. That rutabaga was awarded to Tom Mansell, who went on to win first place in the 2008 competition. To date, no champion has ever successfully defended his or her title, though three contestants have medaled twice. In 2008 Ray Schlather became the first curler to medal twice, taking the silver again after a similar performance in 2006. In 2011, Steve Paisley, who took second place in 2009, returned with his vintage, frozen rutabaga to take the gold medal at the Curl. Michael Gloss won third place in both 2011 and 2016. In 2020, the Rutabaga Curl went viral. Only market vendors were allowed to curl at the in-person event. Non-vendor participants curled their rutabagas at home and were encouraged to send video evidence as proof of their efforts. Notes External links International Rutabaga Curling Championship Official Page Advanced Rutabaga Studies Institute Images David Makar, 2005 Jon Gunderlach, 2005 Sports competitions in New York (state) Recurring sporting events established in 1997 1997 establishments in New York (state)