To the eye-rolling chagrin of many observers, the world of curling high-performance is once again embroiled in an equipment schmozzle. First, there was Broomgate. Now? Might as well call it Foamgate.

Broomgate 2.0 has finally been swept aside. After months of controversy, World Curling has made a decision to entirely ban firmer broom foams that many players said gave sweepers too much control of ...