Kia ora!It may still be summer here in Scotland, but it is winter on the other side of the world. New Zealand is set to hold another 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games later this month. The curling competitions will take place in the Maniototo international curling rink in Naseby. There will be men's, women's and mixed doubles events. There's no GB or Scottish teams involved this year, but a well kent expat Scot, Pete de Boer, is set to skip some of the games for New Zealand. Ian Craig, formerly from Troon, is also in the NZ squad. The competing teams and the draw can be found on this page.
Pete has also been selected to represent New Zealand at the Pacific Championships, which will qualify two countries from the region to the World Men's Championship in Basel, March 31 - April 8. This year the Pacific Championships will take place in Nanjing, China, November 19 - 26. Pete's team also contains Sean and Scott Becker and at lead is another Scot, Kenny Thomson, antipodean correspondent for Skip Cottage Curling! I look forward to following how they do. The WCF webpage for the event is here.
Pete has been in New Zealand for more than three years and says that he and his family are well settled and love the country. He says, "It's pretty exciting looking ahead to the Pacifics from a personal perspective, to experience an international event after coming close a few times before! It's going to be a bit strange sliding with a Silver Fern on my back."
I wonder if a Scotland - New Zealand clash might be a prospect to look forward to in Basel?
