Team Whyte are hoping that successive victories on either side of the Atlantic will help generate the ‘fear factor’ among rivals joining them in the chase for the title at the Prism Flow Red Deer Classic this week (November 18-21).
Ross Whyte, Robin Brydone, Duncan MacFadzean and Euan Kyle had returned to the top ten in the world rankings with victory at The Swiss Cup before making their latest trip to Canada where they maintained their form at the Original 16 Men’s Cash Spiel in Calgary where they beat locals Team Sluchinski 5-4 in a hard-fought final to become the first Scots to lift the title.
“It was a really tough weekend with some really close games and to win the final against Team Sluchinski who are a very good, solid team felt great,” said Whyte, beating the rink that included their coach’s brother, Keir Drummond.
“The final was a tricky game as we managed to get ahead early doors but they are a very good team for generating multiple scores, so we knew they would keep firing back at us and create some good ends.
“So, to be able to get over the line in the end was a great feeling knowing how hard the game was going to be.
Their skip believes they can draw encouragement from starting to see tangible rewards for the way they are preparing at the National Curling Academy.
“We have been working really hard and these results are showing that is paying off and that stuff we have been doing is what we should be focusing on,” said Whyte.
“Following the Swiss Cup with another win is really good for momentum as we have been playing well all season but have not quite been on the right side of the results.
“This is really nice to go out there and put a marker down where we are as a team and shows we are getting stronger every week. 
“It is also really nice to be the first Scottish team to win this event. It’s always good to get a win on the board for Scotland, so to be able to do that and to be the first team as well feels great.”
Their victory at The Swiss Cup had been earned in a field that contained nine of the world’s top 20 teams, but although the rankings of last weekend’s opponents was not as high, they knew that they would be tested.
“It was a really strong field this week,” said Whyte.
“Often when you travel out to Canada some of the teams’ rankings don’t represent how good the team is which we found is always a task as sometimes you don’t know the style of play you are going to face which makes it very different in every game.
“There is never really an easy game out here, especially in Calgary where you have got so many great teams.
“However, hopefully this can now lead to bigger and better things and potentially we can go deep in one of the Slams and the Scottish Championships.”
They also know that the competition will only intensify this week with former world champions Team Koe and former Canadian champions Team Bottcher among those who have entered.
“Hopefully this result will now prove that we can go on to challenge in events like the Red Deer coming up,” said Whyte.
“It looks like a very good, almost Slam-like field and we are just hoping to go out there, go deep in the event and look to try and show off our ability.
“Managing to win two events in a row will hopefully put a bit of fear into people that we are here to stay and we are really trying to generate a big name for ourselves on the men’s tour.”
The event takes place from18-21November and they will be joined by fellow Scots Team Farmer who reached the knockout stages at the Ladies Alberta Open last weekend. 
Prism Flow Red Deer Curling Classic.
Team Whyte
Ross Whyte
Robin Brydone
Duncan McFadzean
Euan Kyle
Coach: Greg Drummond
Team Farmer (for Canada trip)
Beth Farmer
Kirstin Bousie
Amy MacDonald
Katie McMillan
#curling
Team Whyte Image: Roland Beck
Team Farmer Image: PPA/Graeme Hart.