Scotland’s leading wheelchair curlers will get their final taste of international action ahead of the World Wheelchair Champs next month when they pit themselves against some of their main rivals at the Euro Super League (ESL) in Trondheim this weekend (February 7-9).
With Scotland having won the last ESL event in Stirling last month, the trip to Norway represents an opportunity to build confidence further ahead of a World Championship that will also be played on home ice in Stevenston from March 1-16. 
“It’s our last trip before the Worlds at a venue we have become very familiar with and the strength of the teams will be good, with Sweden and World Champs Norway and also Paralympic hosts Italy whose win at the British Open last week shows that they are a good team with a good standard, so it will be good to have an outing against this field.,” said Hugh Nibloe, who skipped the Scotland 1 team to victory at that previous ESL event in Stirling.
With six players travelling across the North Sea, Nibloe expects British Curling’s Paralympic Head Coach Sheila Swan to mix things up in seeking to work out options ahead of the Worlds.
“I am sure Sheila will be looking to change our line-up a bit this weekend and everyone will get a shot and a chance to perform,” he said.
“The mood among the squad is good and the focus now is on this final preparation period.
“It’s that time of year when you can tell the excitement is building towards the biggest event of this season.
“We have done a lot of work both on and off the ice so this is chance to put that into practice.”
Scotland opens their ESL campaign tomorrow against World Champions Norway.
Scotland Team
Jo Butterfield
Gregor Ewan
Charlotte McKenna
Austin McKenzie
Hugh Nibloe
Gary Smith
Results.
Images: PPA/Graeme Hart
