Scandinavian success is a dream for Kinnear

Skip taking huge confidence from Oslo win

Rising curling stars Team Kinnear have made a dream start to the season after scooping silverware on the continent.

Norway was the location for Callum Kinnear, Duncan McFadzean, Matthew McKenzie and Ryan McCormack to bag the Oslo leg of the European Junior Curling Tour.

Skip Callum (18), a former Perth Academy pupil, led his squad to a comfortable 6-1 final victory against Team Heinimann of Switzerland.

That performance has provided plenty of confidence for the remainder of the year.

“We went out on the Thursday morning to Oslo and started off the competition losing to the team who we eventually beat in the final,” Callum said.

“We had five group games and managed to win four against top Swiss, Norwegian and Swedish teams.

“It was a really good team performance in the semi-final to make the final, which was our third game of the day. We were all pretty tired by that point but our coach David got us going again.

“The final was tight to begin with before we ran away with it to win pretty comfortably.

“This is our first year at under-21s and we struggled in the competition before Oslo. But we are getting there now and everything is going a lot better.

“Our aspirations are to make the Scottish Junior Finals and then the World Juniors. “The worlds are being held in Aberdeen this year so it would be great to play on home soil.” Performances across the past couple of years allow Callum and Co to hold a strong sense of optimism for the future. The trophy cabinet holds three consecutive Asham Under 17 Slam titles. But they have also made their mark on the senior scene. Callum (left) said: “The biggest one for us was playing the Scottish men’s last year and defeating Team Murdoch, who were at the Olympics in 2014. “They went on to win the Scottish Championships and the only teams to beat them were ourselves and Team Hardie.

“We were three 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old, which was a good achievement.

“Moving forward we want to be making it to senior World Championships and the Winter Olympics.”

Callum reckons part of the secret to their success has been down to the camaraderie between the team and coach David Ramsay.

“David has a lot of experience and he knows what he is talking about,” Callum said. “He can have a laugh with you but knows when to be serious.

“You need to be able to get on with your coach - and he is always helping us out.

“Matthew and Duncan are also both from Perth, and Ryan is from Lockerbie. We’ve played the last three years at under-17s.

“We’re hoping to stay together for a long time. We are best of friends off of the ice and we are always together.

“Personally, I’m an apprentice electrician and have just gone into my second year. It’s about juggling the work and curling.

“At the moment, we are doing what we can, when we can. It’s important to have something on the side as well as the curling.”

Sponsorship is of great importance to the team and they would like to thank Crystalyx, Country Refreshments, DG Lindsay’s and Hardline for their support.

Team Kinnear are next in action at the second leg of the European Junior Curling Tour, which takes place at Braehead from November 3-5.