Having ensured that ParalympicsGB will be represented in Milan-Cortina next year, the Scotland team is now fully focused on success at the on-going World Wheelchair Championships in Stevenston after a fourth successive day of mixed outcomes.
A record of five wins and four losses leaves Hugh Nibloe, Gary Smith, Austin McKenzie, Jo Butterfield and Keith Gray in the middle of the pack in the 12 team event, knowing that a play-off place is still available following a 9-4 win over Latvia and a 7-4 loss to Italy.
That has been sufficient to win the qualifying points that, added to those claimed at the previous two World Championships has secured that place at the Paralympics in Italy and has also safe-guarded Scotland’s place at next year’s World Championships. 
With the final day of round-robin play coinciding with the landmark of it being a year to go to the 2026 Paralympics getting underway, there is now additional incentive for the Scottish quartet, since their British Curling colleagues Stewart Pimblett, Jason Kean, Julian Mattison and Karen Aspey have also put in impressive performances on England’s return to the top flight.
“One year to go to the Paralympics tomorrow and it doesn’t feel that long ago since the last one,” mused two-time Paralympian Nibloe.
“The first task was to make sure ParalympicsGB had a team going so we’re absolutely delighted that we have secured that spot.
“It’s always a good feeling and a weight off the shoulders once you have done that and the second priority is staying up.
“I think we are pretty safe now from the drop, but we are still looking to get up there and getting to play-off contention, which would achieve a third thing.”
He expressed some frustration at the inconsistency that has seen them produce some fine results, including defeating reigning Paralympic Champions China, but struggle to put wins together.
“Today seems to have been like every day we don’t seem to be able to get two wins back to back and we have come off another day of one win and one loss, so coming off the ice today on a loss is a bit disappointing,” Nibloe admitted.
“We had a good game against Latvia, took the game to them and kept giving up one’s but we never felt like we had lost control and we managed to see that one through.
“Against Italy we had too many mountains to climb but we are still right there in contention for play-offs with a big day tomorrow against Norway and Slovakia.
“That’s another two tough games but we can win both of them so we are going to give it our all tomorrow and see where that takes us.
“Two wins tomorrow would be ideal and one win might sneak in but I think we probably need the two to get into the play-offs, it really is so tight and everybody is beating everybody, so it’s going to be an interesting day tomorrow for people watching.
“I think the umpires and match officials working out the play-offs will be working away until the very end to decide who will be playing who, since it might come down to the last stone to decide the play-offs.”
With Scotland and England between them having beaten most of the opposing teams at this event, Nibloe is relishing the prospect of the competition for Paralympic places that will intensify once this event is over.
“England are playing really well as well and I am sure we are going to have a lot of fun in the coming season,” he observed. 
“We have a lot of talent here and I am sure there are a few teams out there that won’t be looking forward to playing a combined team.”
Like the Scots, England won their first game of the fifth day’s play when they produced a memorable comeback from 6-3 down with two ends to play, scoring a three at the seventh, then stealing at the last to beat Sweden 7-6 and keep their own play-off chances alive.
“That game started off hard for us and, but we showed some spirit to get back into that game and we are over the moon,” said skip Pimblett.
“They are one of the best teams in the world and we seem to be riding our luck a bit, but we are enjoying ourselves and let’s see where this takes us.”
England went on to lose out 10-2 to Slovakia and now have a record of four wins and five losses ahead of their final day of round robin matches against Japan and Korea.
The World Championships four player team event runs until March 8 and will be followed by the Mixed Doubles from March 11-16.
Please click here for results.
Watch LIVE streamed games on Curling Stadium Europe and The Curling Channel.
Feature games are as follows:
6th March - England v Korea - 14:30
7th March - Qualifier - 10:00
7th March - Semi - 18:00
8th March - Bronze - 10:00
8th March - Gold - 14:30
Day One
Saturday 1 March
Scotland – China 3-2
England – Latvia 5-8
England – Norway (EE) 6-8
Day Two
Sunday 2 March
Scotland – Japan 7-5
England – USA 10-1
Scotland – USA (EE) 5-6
Day Three
Monday 3 March
England – China 1-6
Scotland – Korea 7-1
Scotland – Sweden 5-9
England – Italy 6-4
Day Four
Tuesday 4 March
England – Canada 10-5
Scotland – Canada 6-12
Scotland – England 7-5
Day Five
Wednesday 5 March
Scotland – Latvia 9-4
England – Sweden 7-6
Scotland – Italy 4-7
England - Slovakia
Day Six
Thursday 6 March
Scotland – Norway
England – Korea
Scotland – Slovakia
Day Seven
Friday 7 March
Qualification games – 10.00
Semi Finals – 18.00
Day Eight
Saturday 8 March
Bronze Medal Match – 10.00
Gold Medal Match – 14.30
Scotland Team
Hugh Nibloe (skip)
Gary Smith
Austin McKenzie (vice skip)
Jo Butterfield
Keith Gray (alternate)
Scotland Mixed Doubles Team
Hugh Nibloe (skip)
Charlotte McKenna
Coaches:
Head Coach: Sheila Swan
Team Coach: Niall Ryder
England Team
Stewart Pimblett skip
Karen Aspey
Julian Mattison
Jason Kean
Jean Guild (alternate)
England Mixed Doubles Team
Stewart Pimblett skip
Karen Aspey
Coaches:
Head Coach: Tony Lenton
Coach: Rosemary Lenton
Coach: Luke Carson
For more information on our Paralympic Pathway Programme and opportunities please email: Cheryl.lappin@britishcurling.org.uk
Images: @tdf_photography3
