Best curlers back on ice in Classic event
The country’s top curlers will return to competitive action for just the second time this season when the November Classic takes place at the National Curling Academy in Stirling.
And on the evidence of their previous outing at the inaugural September Shootout there could be further scares along the way for the highest ranked teams in an event which gets underway today (Friday). The September event was enthusiastically received by the players as the programme created an environment that was designed to minimise risk and they are looking to build on that success in seeking to ensure that players remain match-fit during the last full season ahead of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022.
“We were delighted with the way things went in September,” said Executive Performance Director Nigel Holl.
“A huge amount of planning was involved and it could hardly have run more smoothly.
“We learned a lot from that experience which has reinforced our confidence in our ability to stage competitions for our players during these challenging times and the athletes are very excited about getting another opportunity to compete meaningfully.”
He went on: “Obviously our longer term goal is to get back into international competition as soon as possible, but we will only sanction that when the conditions are right to do so..
“We are very lucky to have a purpose built facility at the National Curling Academy and while our players and coaches are grateful for the training opportunities that provides, there is nothing that can replace getting the competitive juices flowing.”
That is all the more important ahead of this season’s World Championships that have become more crucial than ever and Holl is looking to turn the difficulties that are being faced to competitive advantage.
“In particular we have to ensure that our players are as ready as possible for this season’s World Championships, which will now be vital in terms of Winter Olympic qualification following the cancellation of the 2020 men’s, women’s and mixed doubles events,” he said.
“To that end we are in a strong position because of the improving strength in depth we have generated within the British Curling squad, which ensures that there is a real edge to these internal contests.”
The round robin event gets underway on Friday morning comprising three draws a day with the winners progressing straight to the final and the second and third placed teams battling it out to join them.
The men’s and women’s finals take place on Sunday at 5pm.
Ten teams will take part - five men’s and five women’s. The men’s teams will be led by skips Bruce Mouat, Ross Paterson, Ross Whyte, Cameron Bryce and James Craik with the women skipped by Eve Muirhead, Gina Aitken, Maggie Wilson, Beth Farmer and Fay Henderson.