● Her rink has new training facilities, now skip wants to stir the nation at Euros and Olympics
It is a singular mission that Eve Muirhead is on. A mission that will go on the line in the next few months as it rarely ever can. Scotland’s one true present day break-out curler, known even by those in this nation who know precious little about the ways of the ice, wants to break-out her sport even as far as burgerland.
Starting with the European Championships that will take place in Switzerland starting this Friday, this winter is Scotlandandgreatbritishskip Muirhead’s chance to move the Scottish masses to the joys of curling. That is because, in February of next year, her rink will then head to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. These are two of the three biggest events curling has to offer and the 27-yearold knows that her rink’s success in these two competitions taking place in such close proximity has the potential to be transformative.
The personable Muirhead, in becoming the youngest skip to winacurlingmedalatthewinter Olympics with a bronze at Sochi four years ago, has given so much of herself – on and off the rink – to grow interest in a country considered the home of curling. She won’t rest until she has achieved what could be considered the fantastical: make the sport as much of an interest-grabber here as in its heartland of Canada.
“I enjoy it [being a figurehead] because I would love curling to become a bigger sport,” she said. “In Canada, curling is huge. You walk into any restaurant, any bar, curling is on the TV. You’d never