It’s safety first as ice squads return Players reassured by guidelines for start of season
Scotland’s elite curlers are relishing the opportunity to get back on the ice and have hailed the efforts of the governing body to keep them safe on their return.
The top squads have been hard at work for several weeks at the National Curling Academy - based at the PEAK - as they prepare for the restart of the season.
They include the team of Olympic bronze medallist Eve Muirhead, who have recently been selected to represent Scotland at the European Championships in November.
The event will see the squad have the chance to compete for qualification to next year’s World Championships in Switzerland, with the squad having missed out on the chance to curl at the 2020 event, which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Team member Jen Dodds said: “I have to say it felt so safe returning to training.
“After five months of an extended break I was itching to get back. We were sent the protocols about what was required which was a really extensive document.
“Then we had a call from the sportscotland doctor and after a long chat it really felt as though British Curling and all the partners had really thought about every single aspect of how we would feel about our return. I felt really encouraged by that.
“On the first day we went through the guidelines again and what was required of us. We enter and leave the NCA one at a time plus we have a temperature check before we get on ice.
“It is strict and thorough at all times and that has made me feel really confident about what has been implemented. It has also placed an ownership on all of us.”
Jen, originally from Edinburgh, added: “As elite athletes it has been frustrating not getting to do what we train for, so we are fortunate to be back and any sacrifices I have to make won’t be too much for me.
“It has made me think much more about what I am doing when I am off-ice as we all have a responsibility; we have a job to do and we don’t want to do anything that might put that at risk.”
The protocols in place at the Stirling facility were further outlined by five-times Scottish mixed doubles champion Gina Aitken.
Gina said: “It is two athletes per sheet with social distancing in place, so it is a strict process but we are really appreciative of the amount of time and effort that has gone into such a well prepared return.
“Going into the NCA is very
It is strict and thorough at all times and that has made me feel really confident about what has been implemented
different just now. Everything was well documented and well organised beforehand, which helped to make it a smooth transition.
“The main building at The PEAK is still not yet operational, so we enter and exit via a side door and with such an extensive return to training document it showed us just how much work had gone into getting us back on