Staying at the top is harder than the climb

Relief is always the word I use after we win the Scottish Championships. And it feels exactly the same this time. To get win after win isn’t easy. So to go unbeaten through the Scottish and the Euro play-offs earlier in the season is really pleasing.

Just by the law of averages there’s a chance that another team will have the game of their lives and beat us, and that could be the final. You see that in all sports and it’s always in the back of your mind.

We never take it for granted but I know for sure that people are just giving us the tournament before we start. That brings a lot of pressure. It’s almost as if it’s a no win situation. If we don’t win every game it’s a big shock.

Staying at the top is much harder than getting to the top.

Everybody is looking at the way you’re doing things and we always have to keep one step ahead of them and keep coming up with ways to do that.

All of our tactical knowledge is pretty strong and we study curling more than any other team, I think.

That’s one thing that gives us an advantage and so does playing in the Grand Slam events in Canada.

We train and practise really hard and don’t just turn up expecting to win on talent alone.

To get a sixth Scottish title makes me really proud. I’ve checked now, and it doesn’t look like that’s been done before. I think five was a record actually.

Hopefully I’ve got plenty more left in me. A good week for the Muirheads Our World Championships are about three weeks away but the men’s are before that.

I’m so pleased for my brother Glen that he’s made it.

Glen has had a few near misses so he’s definitely earned this Scottish title.

It was a good final but Team Brewster were the best team all week and deserved their win.

If I was the Olympic selector for the men just now I wouldn’t have a clue.

But, with so much uncertainty, this is an opportunity for them to do well at the Worlds and get themselves into pole position.

It’s over to my dad next. He’s competing with our coach, Dave Hay, in the Scottish Seniors at Hamilton.

After the week the Muirheads had in Perth, he’s got a lot to live up to! Family can make the difference The fight between Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton is one of the big sports stories of the weekend, and I was interested to read Quigg speaking about how he still lives at home because it allows him to totally focus on his boxing.

His mum won’t be able to help him beat Frampton but I totally understand where he’s coming from.

You really can’t underestimate how big a deal support from your family is. I don’t think I would have got to the top without it. We were never pushed into anything as kids. Apart from my mum dragging me to swimming three times a week, that is!

They’ve travelled all over the place with us. They still do.

And at times when you’re really down, like after my first Olympics, it’s your family who get you back up.

Mind you, I do like my own space as well so I’m not sure what it would be like if I was still living in the family home like Quigg is.

There’s only so much curling chat with your brothers you can take!

To get a sixth Scottish title makes me really proud

Picture: Getty Images. Scott Quigg enjoys his home comforts. Family can make all the difference in sport.