No 7: April 201 2 PRIZE DRAW Silver for Scots Enter now on p2 in World bid Latest Cup Tour news THE tourists met for the second time on March 18, the first chance for nine tourists to meet the rest of the group, and the first time details of the destinations had been available. West tour arriving in Vancouver/Vancouver Island for a week and then onto Toronto via Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg and Thunder Bay. Report: Mike Haggerty, Photo: © WCF/Richard Gray 2012. East via Halifax, St John’s, Truro, Charlottetown, Quebec to Toronto. IT was so close yet so far for Tom when Brewster had a draw for two to level Central via Ottowa and then a series of Brewster’s team (pictured) as Canada the game again, at 6-6. towns which make one think it is a tour of the and Scotland played out a tense final The Scots forced Canada to take a single in UK: Uxbridge, Whitby, Scarborough, Port of the World Men’s Curling Champ- the ninth end and Brewster then carved out Elgin, Southampton, London and Brighton. ionship in Basel, Switzerland on the a chance to win the title in the tenth. But his In total, 427 matches v our Canadian hosts. afternoon of Sunday April 8, in front hit was not quite precise enough, and he We fly from Edinburgh on Wednesday of a packed house of some 3,000 took out one of his own stones as well as his January 9, and leave Canada on Friday spectators. Canadian target to score just one, rather February 1, arriving on 2 February 2013. And, after an extra end in a highly- than the two points he was looking for as Our tour song has been penned by Harry, competitive game, Canada emerged as 8-7 the game went to an extra end. Keith and Boyd. They are hoping we can hold winners when their skip Glenn Howard Canada had the crucial last stone a tune – the first MP3 version has been delivered a well-judged draw-shot for the advantage in this end and eventually distributed (not quite ready to audition for ‘The one shot he needed for victory. Before that, Howard drew within a Scottish stone Voice’!). Scotland had a chance to win in the tenth, already sitting in the house to score the one Several of the tour party have been to but Brewster’s hit just nudged out one of point needed, and what was – for Howard – international curling events, either his own stones as well as his Canadian a third world title. participating or as supporters; each believing target, and he scored one rather than two, Howard was gracious about his that it will enhance their contribution to the as the game went into an extra end. opponents, “Brewster and the boys threw 2013 Strathcona Cup Tour. As we went to Canada started with last stone advantage, everything at us – we were a little press, Lockhart Steele, John Summers and but Scotland managed to steal a single in fortunate,” he said. “He threw a good shot Phil Barton fly out to Copenhagen for the the first end when Canadian skip Glenn in ten and it didn’t curl – I don’t know why. World Senior Championships. Joe Barry flies Howard rolled too far with his final hit of I was worried watching it – if he had made out to support Maggie and the rest of the the end. However, the first major break- it, it was game over and he was the world Scottish ladies. through came in the third end when champion.” And Howard’s overall A recent change brings Graeme Maguire Scottish skip Tom Brewster was heavy reaction? “God, it feels good, it feels sweet.” into the party (Central tour). with his last stone, leaving Howard an easy Hardly surprisingly, Brewster’s reaction Three curling matches have been set up for hit to score three for a 3-1 lead. was a bit different. “I’m gutted. I thought the whole party in October, November and Despite this set-back, the Scots drew we were the better team, I really did. I December. Individual tours and individual level in the very next end when Brewster thought we played some great curling, an rinks are planning other matches to prepare was able to draw for two. The teams inch more curl on that shot in the tenth and for the fight to regain the Strathcona Cup. swapped singles in the next two ends and, we were there. Our team played great here, We are thrilled to have our own tour logo, in the seventh, Howard was just good what an effort! We’ve had a strong week designed by Iain Hamilton (and son) shown enough with a delicate tap-up to score two here and we’ve got a big future.” above. Our next tour meeting is on Saturday for a 6-4 lead. But, staying tenacious all the Earlier, Sweden beat Norway by 9-8 in May 12. way, the Scots responded in the next end an extra end to take bronze medals. Phil Barton, Tour Secretary Scottish Curling Awards 2012 The RCCC is pleased to announce the nominees for the 2012 Scottish Curling Awards: Young Curler of the Year – Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Anna Sloan Team of the Year - Scottish Women – Team Muirhead, Scottish Men – Team Brewster, Scottish Junior Women – Team Fleming. The final issue of YOUR Curler for season 2011-12 is Grassroots Coach of the Year - James Keillor, Lorna Rennie, Campbell Ross. due out end-May (content submissions by 18 May). Ice Diamond Award - Judy MacKenzie, Jim Stables, Ena Stevenson. In the meantime, keep up to date with curling news Club / Group of the Year - Dumfries Curling World Record Group (on behalf of DIBCA), Forfar Young and information at Curlers, Stirling Young Curlers. www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org Ice Rink of the Year - Curl Aberdeen, Murrayfield Curling, The Peak, Stirling. YOUR Curler is published by the Royal Caledonian The winner of each category will be decided upon by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club membership. For Curling Club on a monthly basis during the winter full details of nominees and how to vote visit http://royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org/blog/2012-scottish- season. General enquiries to Cairnie House, Ingliston, curling-awards-shortlist/ Newbridge, Midlothian, EH28 8NB. T: 0131 333 3003. Online voting closes at midnight on Sunday, 6 May 2012, while paper voting forms will be accepted E: [email protected] at the Royal Club office until noon on Monday, 7 May 2012. Tickets are now on sale for the Scottish YOUR Curler enquiries to: Curling Awards which will be held on 26th May, 1pm at the Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew. Visit E: [email protected] http://royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org/scottish-curling-awards-2012/ for details of how to order yours now. Super Prize Draw Rockwatcher has developed the first custom-designed timing solution for curlers and have taken ‘Interval Timing’ and the performance of your game to a higher level - timing the rock between two fixed locations, one learns the speed of the ice to match the rocks with the time obtained. With the use of ‘The Rockwatcher’, the curler is able to obtain an accurate time while keeping both hands on the brush handle, therefore allowing for a quicker response to the sweeping call when needed - just one of the many advantages curlers will benefit from. The custom-designed stopwatch and patented ‘TimerBand’ can be easily located to any position on any broom or brush handle at any time. A Rockwatcher survey has found that curlers using ‘The Rockwatcher’ have a response time 50% quicker than curlers not using it. Comp- etitive curlers from novice level to World Champions are taking advantage of what is known now as Interval Timing. If you are not using this method of timing, you should, as it will enhance your game! Enter draw now! Well you’ve heard what Rockwatcher has to say. If you’d like to give it a try, we have one to give away free in this issue, courtesy of our friends at Rockwatcher. To enter, e-mail your name and address to [email protected] with the subject heading ‘Rockwatcher Prize Draw’. It’s that easy! Closing date is Friday May 18, terms and conditions apply. Full details: http://royalcaledonian curlingclub.org/rockwatcher-prize-draw/ Kukri Prize Draw Issue 6 In the last issue we had three cool Kukri Duffel Bags to give away. We asked ‘How many designs of kit can Kukri produce?’ The answer which of course was part of the Kukri feature was ‘6 Million’. Thanks to everyone who entered and to Kukri for their kind support. The winners are: Brian Singer of Perth, Bill Arnot of Fife and Maureen McCulloch of Edinburgh. Photo: WCF/CCA/Michael Burns Horton wins Kirkpatrick Trophy Frances Brodie Award for Eve EVE Muirhead, skip of the Scottish women’s The afternoon of Tuesday 13th March 2012 saw the a big four at the sixth end to virtually settle matters. final game played of the Kirkpatrick Trophy on the Ena could only pull back one at the seventh and with team, was awarded the 2012 World Curling Ice rink of the North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer. her opposition taking one at the final eighth end, the Federation’s Frances Brodie Award at this year’s This senior mixed invitation Bonspiel which was Ken Horton skipped team came out as clear winners Ford World Women’s Curling Championship in sponsored by Hugh Kirkpatrick, has been a feature at eight shots to five.