Scotland has made a line-up change for the SD Biosensor World Wheelchair Championships after Gary Logan had to withdraw due to illness ahead of the team travelling to Korea, to compete at the Gangneung Curling Centre (2-9 March).
Skip Hugh Nibloe expressed the team’s disappointment that Logan was unable to join them in Korea, but feels they are fortunate to have 2022 Paralympian Gary Smith as their alternate for the championships.
“Gary Logan is a brilliant member of the team for what he brings both on and off the ice,” said Nibloe.
“He has also been a lucky charm for us having already competed at two World Champs (2019 and 2023) and medalled in both, so we wish him a speedy recovery and also hope he can still bring us luck from afar.
“As a result, Gary Smith has stepped in and is probably the best replacement we could have asked for given his experience and I think the benefits will be two-fold for Team Scotland.
“He will be a great alternate for us for the week ahead and it also gives him the chance to get a feel for the ice out here ahead of his Mixed Doubles campaign (with Charlotte McKenna) starting here the following week.
“All things considered it is a win-win situation now we have had to make that adjustment.”
The two-time Paralympian is also pleased to be back in familiar territory, having competed at the venue in 2017 and 2018 and he is hopeful it will be third time lucky when they take to the ice tomorrow.
“For Gregor (Ewan), Bob (McPherson) and myself it is great to be back here in Korea,” he said.
“Having been here a few times before we have tried and tested travel plans for travelling East and just love the country, the welcoming people and the venue.
“We don’t often get the chance to compete in an arena environment and I just love being in a big venue as it feels more special and I think it can help raise your game.
“I hope that will give us an extra boost for the week ahead, having the excitement, adrenalin and also the familiarity of the venue because I think this is the hardest line-up we have faced at a World Champs.
“Looking at the team sheets we have met just about everybody in the field and they are very capable teams and everyone will be competitive, but at the same time we have to remember that nobody is unbeatable.”
Round robin play gets underway tomorrow with only the top six teams from a starting line-up of 12 (Korea, Canada, China, Czechia, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Scotland, Slovakia, Sweden and United States) progressing to the play-off stages and the 42 year old from Stranraer is hoping they are in the mix at the business end of the week.
“We have team targets for the week,” he said.
“After winning bronze at this event last year we really want to ensure that we get enough wins to be in the play-offs.
“That then gives us opportunities and we are in the hunt for opportunities this week.”
Scotland meet Latvia and Norway on the opening day of the championships. The team event is then followed by the World Mixed Doubles Championships which starts on Monday 11 March until Thursday 14 March, with home nations Scotland and England in a field of 21 teams representing their national Member Associations.
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Pleas click here for results
Scotland Team
Hugh Nibloe
Gregor Ewan
Robert McPherson
Meggan Dawson Farrell
Gary Smith (alternate)
Team Leader David Leith
Team Coach Luke Carson
Scotland Mixed Doubles Team
Charlotte McKenna
Gary Smith
Team Coach Niall Ryder
England Mixed Doubles Team
Stewart Pimblett
Karen Aspey
Team Coach Tony Lenton
Assistant Coach Rosemary Lenton
Schedule
Saturday 2 March
Session 1 – 5am (GMT)
Scotland – Latvia
Session 2 -10am (GMT)
Scotland – Norway
Sunday 3 March
Session 4 – 5am (GMT)
Scotland – Italy
Monday 4 March
Session 6 – 12 midnight (GMT)
Scotland – Korea
Session 8 – 10am (GMT)
Scotland – Czechia
Tuesday 5 March
Session 9 - 12 midnight (GMT)
Scotland – USA
Session 11 – 10am (GMT)
Scotland – Canada
Wednesday 6 March
Session 13 – 5am (GMT)
Scotland – Estonia
Session 14 – 10am (GMT)
Scotland – Sweden
Thursday 7 March
Session 15 – 12 midnight (GMT)
Scotland – Slovakia
Session 16 – 5am (GMT)
Scotland – China
Friday 8 March
Qualifications – 5am (GMT)
Semi Finals – 10am (GMT)
Saturday 9 March
Final – 2am (GMT)
