Winter Olympics action hots up

Feb 16 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE waiting is over for curlers chasing gold in Vancouver, reports Gordon Bannerman.

The GB teams go into action today and tomorrow as their bid to emulate Rhona Martin’s famous “Stone of Destiny” Salt Lake City triumph swings into action.

Bizarrely, live coverage of the curling will be competing with one of the world’s most dysfunctional families for attention. The Simpsons are toasting their 20th anniversary, with Homer and Marge flying the flag for the USA and Springfield at the fictional Games!

But ladies skip Eve Muirhead and Pete Smith, a member of David Murdoch’s reigning world champions rink – along with fifth man Graeme Connal – won’t have much spare time on their hands, either to tune into the Simpsons or to follow other medal sports.

They have revealed their initial target is to nail down a semi-final slot, when the scrap for medals begins in earnest.

The men face Sweden today and France tomorrow, while the ladies start their campaign with a clash against world champions China tomorrow.

The 6000-capacity arena is already sold-out for every stage of the curling competition, with host nation Canada going into the Winter Olympics with public expectations of delivering gold.

But the GB teams, and Fair City coaches David Hay and Derek Brown, are determined to enhance the reputation of Scottish curling and boost the sport’s profile.

Blair Atholl’s photogenic Eve, at 19, the youngest skip in the competition – with an Olympic rings tattoo on her back already capturing headlines – said: “It’s exciting. It really hit home when we walked into a packed stadium for the opening ceremony.

“The aim is to perform to our very best and we really want to come home with a medal. I have to admit I’ve thought of what that would be like. But the first target is to reach the semi-finals and take it from there.”

Pete, at 45, is at the other end of the curling spectrum, having been playing since he was 14. He has European and world medals of various hues in his collection.

“I joined these guys after the last Olympics in Turin. Initially it was just to help them out in a few games during the Scottish championships. It turned out to be a fantastic decision to play on rather than retire from the international scene.

“We’ve had two golds and a silver at the world championships in recent years so we have always been there or thereabouts. We will be doing out best to get a medal.

“It will be a new experience for some of the teams and obviously nerves can play a part. Hopefully that can give us an edge.”

Pete pinpointed the Canadians and Norwegians as teams to beat, with Switzerland and Sweden sure to provide stern opposition. And it will take a real team effort to complete his extensive medal collection.

Men’s coach David Hay said: “The work that has been put has been incredible but that has simply mirrored the preparations of other teams.

“The expectations are there from everyone, ourselves included. We’d rather be regarded as potential gold medal winners than just being here to make up the numbers. People ask what other sports we’ll be going to see. The answer is none. We are here to do a job and this is a battle-hardened rink with a proven track record. Rest assured, we will be giving it our best shot.”