Mili has her sights set on the silverware Perth Ladies International welcomes top teams
The City of Perth Ladies International curling tournament swept into life at Dewars Centre last night.
And Guildtown’s Mili Smith was hoping to bring her season with Team Jackson to a close in style.
The third staging of the event runs until Sunday and has welcomed teams from across the globe, including Japan.
Mili has enjoyed a productive year with Sophie Jackson’s rink and recently navigated to the Scottish Championships final in Perth.
Now the Stirling University student has her sights locked on silverware.
“At this point in the season we are all looking forward to being back together,” Mili explained to the Perthshire Advertiser.
“Although we have been training together, we are excited to be competing again.
“Our team has not had a competition since the Scottish Ladies so it will be nice to get settled back into things.
“We will take one game at a time and just enjoy what will be our last competition of the season.
“We had a disappointing week at Scottish Juniors but despite this we learned, bounced back and we made the final of the Scottish Ladies which was another of our goals for the season.”
Competing in Perth, where Mili grew up playing the sport, is always extra special.
“I always enjoy playing on Perth ice,” she said. “It’s where I have trained most over the years and the ice is always of a high standard.
“I know the girls really enjoy playing there as well so it will be good and also means friends and family can watch us.
“The Perth Ladies International will be our last competition of this season.
“But we still have a couple of events left including the Scottish Junior Mixed Doubles and the Scottish Mixed Championships.
“We will each use the quiet competition period to train hard on ice and in the gym over summer.”
Olympians Team Muirhead are included in the stellar Perth line-up.
Chairman of the tournament, Bill Duncan, was eagerly awaiting the start of the competition earlier this week.
He said: “I am pleased to welcome back teams who have competed the previous events, while offering a warm Perth welcome to those teams making their debut in the competition.
“With teams having extremely busy schedules this year, and a number of teams qualifying for both the Olympic Games, and the Ladies World Curling Championships, the event has been reduced to 16 teams.
“But I am delighted that we have attracted teams from Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany and England, who will challenge our top Scots teams.
“The organising committee is assured of good ice and stones at Dewars Centre.
“We are convinced this will deliver great curling, and fantastic shot making, leading to exciting games for the players, coaches and spectators alike.
“Once again we are indebted to our sponsors and partners in assisting this tournament to take place under the auspices of the World Curling Tour.
“Perth and Kinross Council and the Mercure Perth Hotel continue to sponsor the event, along with support from British Curling.
“Earnside Coaches look after the transportation to and from the airport, with assistance from Perth Honda, and we are delighted that a number of local businesses continue to sponsor teams.”
The City of Perth Ladies International runs from Thursday, March 29 to Sunday, April 1 at Dewars Centre. Mili Smith (right) Blair Atholl’s Eve Muirhead is back in Perth action