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Thursday, January 27, 2011

Practice day at Universiade

Anna Sloan, Lauren Gray, Vicki Adams, Sarah Macintyre and Claire Hamilton look very smart in their GB uniforms at practice day for the Winter Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey.

Leslie Ingram-Brown sends this report, and the accompanying photos.

"It's been a second day of practice in Erzurum, Turkey, for the teams competing in the 25th Universiade. The ice has been keen, very keen, at 28 seconds tee to tee but still with a good draw which will allow attacking curling for those teams who wish to try.

Great Britain's women skipped by Anna Sloan open the curling discipline against the Czech Republic in the morning session and play Team Canada in the evening.

The men have the toughest of possible openers playing Canada. The Canadians, coached by our old friend Dick Henderson who was persuaded out of retirement for this event, look very much up for the task.

You may be wondering why the anonymity of the opposition teams, and it is frustrating for all of us here also. No list has been available despite constant asking the media officer, but it is believed that the WCF co-ordinating officer, Jeanette Johnston, will provide the list at 08.30 hours tomorrow morning.

I have not as yet seen any Team GB supporters to date but am not suprised given the costs of flights. It is cheaper to fly business Glasgow/Istanbul, than economy within Turkey. I was told the other day that the Turkish athletes have been instructed to bus it across the country as air fare is NOT acceptable. Back tomorrow."

Thanks Leslie. Any reports you can manage to send will be much appreciated by those of us supporting the GB curlers from afar.

Glen Muirhead, here seen practicising today, skips Alasdair Guthrie (3rd), Greg Drummond (2nd), and Kerr Drummond (lead). Michael Goodfellow is alternate.

The official website is here.

Photos are courtesy of Leslie Ingram-Brown.