The curling Scots leading Britain’s medal hopes in this month’s Winter Olympics believe friendship can be their key to success.
And they hope to raise the profile of the sport through success in Sochi, Russia.
Team GB management have set a minimum target of three medals. Both the men’s and women’s curling teams – which are made up entirely of Scots – are among the favourites.
The women’s team of Eve Muirhead, Vicki Adams, Claire Hamilton, Anna Sloan and Lauren Gray were the first competitors to be named on the British team last year, quickly followed by the men’s team of David Murdoch, Aberdeen’s Tom Brewster, Scott Andrews, Michael Goodfellow and Greg Drummond. Muirhead is aware of the focus on her team but believes Britain can be successful.
She said: “I think as a team we know there is going to be a lot of pressure behind us going in as current world champions, but we’re used to that and enjoy it and we know how to win major championships now.”
Worries over security, human rights and even high temperatures have been raised before the games but the curling teams refuse to be distracted.
Brewster said: “We don’t need to worry about the weather because we’re indoors, we only need to worry about our own performance. Ice rinks are the same across the world for big events. The dimensions are always the same. No matter where we compete, we know the conditions.”