Scots on Podium in Erzurum

It was a colourful scene at the presentation ceremony of the Nane Hatun competition in Erzurum, Turkey, today. This was the test event for the new curling facility, where the Winter Universiade is to be played early next year, January 27 - February 6.

That's the Czech ladies in first place. The Latvian men took silver. Well done to the young Scottish team though, finishing on the third step of the podium. Can you pick out Jeanette Johnston, chair of FISU's Technical Committee, with the medal winners?

L-R: Cammy Smith, Ruairidh Greenwood, Scott Fraser and Kyle Smith (skip) with Nancy Murdoch (who will also be the head coach for the GB curling teams at the Universiade). You have to say it's been a good day for the Smith family, with Father David (that sounds a bit odd!) winning the Euro Qualifying event and his sons Cammy and Kyle getting among the prizes in Turkey.

Photos are courtesy of Harold Forrester who was in Erzurum as the chief timer, training the local timers for the Universiade.

Scots among first to try out new curling facility in Turkey

Turkey's recently completed curling facility in Erzurum will host a test event this week in advance of the Winter Universiade, January 27 - February 6. A young Scottish team flies out tomorrow (Tuesday) to compete against two local junior men's sides, one from Latvia, and four women's teams from Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic and Turkey.

Kyle Smith, Cammy Smith, Scott Fraser and Ruairidh Greenwood will play seven games. I note that there is a 'gold medal' game, presumably between the top two after the round robin. First games are on Thursday with the event finishing up on Sunday.

The exterior of the rink in Erzurum.

The interior of the rink.

Photos of the curling rink are courtesy of Mark Callan who laid down the ice for the event last week. It looks quite a facility! Thanks Mark.