British Curling won the Stirling Wheelchair Curling International last year, but the rivalry for this year’s title will be fiercer than ever as four members of last year’s winning team will be competing in opposing teams this week at The Peak (17-20 October).
The event in Stirling features 10 international teams comprising two from Canada, including their 2023 World Silver medallists, plus two from the USA as well as Poland, Italy and Switzerland.
The reigning champions will compete across three teams, with Gregor Ewan and Gary Smith in British Curling 1, while Hugh Nibloe skips British Curling 2 and Stewart Pimblett leads an England line-up that is using this event as vital preparation for the World B Championships in Lohja, Finland next month (5-10 November).
“The event is very open with such a good field, so it will be a really good competition this week in Stirling,” said Pimblett.
“The reigning champions are playing in different teams, but that will really add to the challenge and with Canada’s world silver medallists and a number of good international teams it really will make every game here a battle.
“For our England line-up, the bigger picture is obviously the World B Wheelchair Champs coming up in a few weeks and this will be our first major competition as a team.
“So we are really keen to see where we are in terms of our preparation in among these high-class teams and we know we have had great preparation this summer at the Flower Bowl in Preston to get ready for this.”
The event, hosted by Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club which gets underway tomorrow and concludes on Friday is free to spectators to watch teams who are building their season towards the World Wheelchair Champs in Korea next year and Pimblett believes England can earn promotion and be part of that event.
“It is a very exciting time for English Curling just now,” said the 54 year old.
“With new athletes coming on to the British Curling Paralympic Performance Foundation programme, it is great that the potential across the border is being fully supported. 
“I am really looking forward to seeing what this new line-up can achieve as they are so fearless and ambitious and I hope this week sets us up really well for what is to come.
“I am not going to lie, it would be great to hold that trophy again this week, but regardless of that the future for English Curling looks bright and it feels like a great time to be part of English and British Curling.”
This week’s competition is the eighth running of the Stirling Wheelchair Curling International and its organisers are delighted to be providing another opportunity to showcase the sport.
“Once again, we have assembled a top class field which we hope will give all the teams a rewarding experience as they build toward the 2024 World Championships in Korea,” said event chair Andy Hemming.
“Entry is free and spectators are welcome to come along and watch some of the best wheelchair curlers in the world display their great skills and accuracy and hopefully you will be inspired.”
The draw and updates on the Stirling Wheelchair Curling International are available on the Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club website and social channels (Facebook: Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club and Twitter: @StirlingCurling).
Download the event draw here.
Want to Try Wheelchair Curling?
Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club holds sessions every Wednesday from 12.30pm - 2.30pm at the Peak. Please contact Jacky McLaren if you would like to get involved: jackymclaren@talktalk.net
British and England Teams:
British Curling 1
Gregor Ewan
Gary Smith
Robert McPherson
Charlotte McKenna
British Curling 2
Hugh Nibloe
Gary Logan
Martin Sutherland
Meggan Dawson-Farrell
England
Stewart Pimblett
George Potts
Karen Aspey
Julian Mattison
Jason Kean
Image: Stewart Pimblett - WCF/Cheyenne Boone.
