Perth rink in return to happy hunting ground

Team Smith start their preparations for next year’s Winter Olympics at the venue where their successful push to become Britain’s curling representatives in PyeongChang began a year ago.

The Perth rink, featuring Kyle and Cammy Smith and Thomas Muirhead, are part of a four-strong contingent of Scottish teams taking part in the Stu Sells Tankard in Ontario.

It was there they claimed the title – the Oakville OCT Fall Classic – that set up the 2016/17 campaign which culminated in Team GB selection.

While Team Smith has the same line-up as played throughout last season, they are accompanied by three new-look teams after a summer of reshuffles.

Dave Murdoch’s retirement has seen his third Greg Drummond step up to become skip with lead Michael Goodfellow remaining part of that team. They have been joined by Ross Paterson, who was formerly with Team Brewster, and Gregor Cannon.

Tom Brewster makes the trip with an entirely new line-up, joined by Scott Andrews – who was formerly part of Team Murdoch – as well as Duncan Menzies and Alasdair Schreiber, with his former lead Hammy McMillan having become part of a youthful quartet skipped by Bruce Mouat, who has Grant Hardie at third and Bobby Lammie at second.

A fifth Scottish team skipped by Cameron Bryce, with Ross Whyte at third, Robin Brydone at second and Euan Kyle at lead, is also in action overseas this weekend, taking part in a Curling Champions Tour event in Estonia.

Picture: PPA. Thomas Muirhead.