The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Beijing bronze medallists facing tough field in Perth
Curling: Team Muirhead must overcome jet-lag in bid to defend title
Eve Muirhead is back on home ice as she seeks to follow up her World Championship bronze medal with a successful defence of an event she has helped set up.
The Perthshire curler and her team are competing in the EDF Energy City of Perth Ladies International at the Dewars Centre, which begins today.
After a busy few weeks, which culminated in Beijing bronze, Team Muirhead must quickly overcome their jet-lag if they are to repeat last year’s success against a powerful field.
Nine of the world’s top 25 quartets are in Scotland this week, including a thirdranked Swiss rink (Team Tirinzoni) and Binia Feltscher’s two-time world champions from the same country.
The Canadians are also here in numbers, with Allison Flaxey’s team highest ranked at seven, just ahead of Chelsea Carey’s (eight).
Muirhead is looking forward to the challenge.
“Being involved in the organising committee for this event I am really looking forward to now competing in what will be a great tournament,” she said.
“With five Canadian teams, plus four Swiss teams as well as rinks from the USA, Japan and Sweden it will be a tough, tough field.
“This is a great follow-on from the World Championships and it was great to win the event last year with Mhairi Milne who kindly stepped in whilst Anna (Sloan) was injured.
“We are keen to hold on to the title at a curling rink which is so important to our training and competition schedule.”
The title sponsors have provided a welcome boost to the sport, providing a sustainable future for the Champions Curling Tour event which was added to the competition calendar last year.