Scotland’s representatives at the World Junior Championships are both looking to build on the medal winning performances they put in a year ago as they head for this season’s event in Finland.
In the women’s event Robyn Munro, Laura Watt, Holly Wilkie-Milne and Amy Mitchell are looking to defend the title they won a year ago under the leadership of Fay Henderson, with Hannah Farries coming in as alternate this time around. 
“It’s obviously a great feeling to be coming into the event as reigning champions, however with a different line up and tough opposition we know we just have to take every game as it comes and reach our goals one step at a time,” said Munro, who has stepped up to skipping duties this time around.
“It’s a long but exciting week and we’re looking forward to everything it throws at us.
“Skipping the team comes with different responsibilities and requires different skills than last year, ones that I’ve enjoyed honing this season.
“Leading the team to victory at the Scottish Junior Championships was a really special moment for me, combined with many successes on tour this season, so I can hopefully take a lot of confidence from that into my role this week.”
She noted that the recent success enjoyed by two members of the men’s line-up when Logan Carson and Archie Hyslop were part of Team GB’s curling contingent which won gold medals in both events at the recent Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Korea, has only reinforced confidence in the support they are surrounded by heading into major championships.
“It’s great momentum for the boys to be coming off their YOG gold into this championship and training alongside some of the best teams in the world daily in the National Curling Academy and coming straight into the Worlds off a very successful Scottish Championships last week in Dumfries is great motivation to achieve our goals on ice this week,” said Munro.
For skip Orrin Carson, his younger brother and vice skip Logan, Archie Hyslop and Charlie Gibb a first trip to Finland provides a chance to show what they have learned in the year since they won bronze when their skip was only 17 and his three teammates were still 15.
“I think that having the same line-up as last year will really help us,” said the older Carson.
“A lot of teams change line-ups every year, but having the same one will be really beneficial to us and hopefully that will be a decisive factor when it comes to the end of the week.”
This season’s new alternate Hamish Gallacher gained valuable experience playing with the team when he stood in for them at last week’s Scottish Championships, helping provide his younger brother and Hyslop with extra time to recover from their trip to Korea and the skip believes that could also stand them in good stead. 
“Having Hamish on board is great,” said Carson.
“He was absolutely brilliant last week when we were really grateful to him for stepping in.
“Hopefully he won’t need to do that again, but if he does we know he’s ready and capable.”
Having competed well in what was arguably the strongest ever Men’s Scottish Championships last week, they consequently believe they can do even better at the World Juniors this time around.
“Obviously last year we did exceptionally well for our age, but this year we’re determined to get the gold or at least make the final and see what we can do from there,” said Carson.
The competition takes place in Lohja from February 17 to 24.
Streaming of matches from the World Junior Championships is available from The Curling Channel. To sign up to the recently re-launched Curling Channel please follow this link.
For further broadcast details.
For more information on the World Juniors.
Team Scotland – Team Munro
Robyn Munro
Laura Watt
Holly Wlkie-Milne
Amy Mitchell
Hannah Farries (A)
Team Coach: Alan Hannah
Head Coach: Nancy Smith
Team Scotland – Team O Carson
Orrin Carson
Logan Carson
Archie Hyslop
Charlie Gibb
Hamish Gallacher (A)
Team Coach Ryan Carson
Head Coach: Nancy Smith
Team Scotland Schedule:
Saturday 17 February
7.00am – Team Munro
Scotland – Germany
12.00pm midday – Team O Carson
Scotland – Canada
5.30pm – Team Munro
Scotland – Japan
Sunday 18 February
7.00am - Team O Carson
Scotland – Italy
12.00pm midday - Team Munro
Scotland – Turkiye
5.00pm - Team O Carson
Scotland – USA
Monday 19 February
7.00am - Team Munro
Scotland – Canada
12.00pm midday - Team O Carson
Scotland – Germany
5pm – Team Munro
Scotland – Sweden
Tuesday 20 February
7.00am - Team O Carson
Scotland – New Zealand
12.00pm midday - Team Munro
Scotland - Switzerland
5.00pm - Team O Carson
Scotland – Switzerland
Wednesday 21 February
7.00am - Team Munro
Scotland – China
12.00pm midday - Team O Carson
Scotland - China
5.00pm - Team Munro
Scotland – Norway
Thursday 22 February
7.00am - Team O Carson
Scotland – Denmark
12.00pm midday - Team Munro
Scotland - Korea
5.00pm - Team O Carson
Scotland – Norway
Friday 23 February
12.00pm midday Women’s semi finals
5.00pm Men’s semi finals
Saturday 24 February
8.00am Women’s FINAL
1.00pm Men’s FINAL
#WJCC2024 #curling
