Team Whyte head to Canada this week hoping that the tournament win that has taken them back into the top 10 in the world rankings will kick start their season.
The quartet of Ross Whyte, Robin Brydone, Duncan MacFadzean and Euan Kyle have been as high as seventh in the rankings this season, but had dropped out of the top 10 ahead of last weekend’s victory at The Swiss Cup. 
They consequently travel back across the Atlantic to what is traditionally the toughest competitive environment in the sport, believing they can make a significant impact, as compatriots Team Mouat have done in recent years.
“Basel gives us a lot confidence as it has been a tough season so far having only made the quarter finals in three events, but thankfully managing to get over that hurdle and go on to progress to winning an event was really beneficial towards our season,” said skip Whyte.
“We are looking forward to getting some good runs in the competitions and hopefully we will be able to go on and build on the progression we are making towards the Slam in December and hopefully go on another good run there.”
He noted, too, that they should have nothing to fear, since the growing strength of European curling was in evidence in Basel last weekend, with nine of the world’s top 20 teams in that field.
“It gives us a measure of where we are at this stage in the season,” Whyte reckoned. 
“Playing in Europe nowadays it is just as tough as playing in Canada as there are so many good teams so when we go out to any competition now we know it is going to be really tough.
“But we look forward to the task because what we thrive on is playing against some of the best teams in the world.”
They contest this week’s Original 16 Men’s Cash Spiel in Calgary (11-13 November), before heading across the province to take part in the Prism Flow Red Deer Classic (18-21 November).
“Both fields look like they will pose a real task for us over these two weeks,” said Whyte.
“So hopefully we can go out there and build on what we did in Basel last weekend and progress and try and get some more great results.”
They are joined in Canada this week by compatriots Team Farmer who are contesting the Ladies Alberta Open at Okotoks Curling Club (11-13 November), before joining them at the Red Deer Classic.
Newly formed this season, it is their second trip to Canada and they are looking to demonstrate what they gained from their previous experience, in the company of British Curling Lead Analyst Kenny More who is providing them with coaching support. 
“After having the opportunity to play in the Tier 2 slam event in Grand Prairie, we went home and put a lot of those learnings into our training,” skip Beth Farmer explained.
“Coming back out to Canada again is a really exciting prospect for us especially as we feel things are starting to come together and we have benefitted from our early season experiences.“Having coach Kenny on board for these two events in Okotoks and Red Deer will also be valuable to us, as there is no one who has watched more games of curling than Kenny.”
They will make the trip without Winter Olympic gold medallist Hailey Duff, their regular third who has been selected as fifth player for the Scotland team defending the European Championship title that she played a significant part in winning last season.
Operating as a five player team this season, that means Kirstin Bousie moves to third with Amy MacDonald at second and Katie McMillan at lead. 
“Our goals for these next couple events are to implement what we have been working on in the short training period we’ve had, challenge some good teams and continue to learn and grow together,” said Farmer
“There’s no doubt that being on the road for two weeks last month helped us with dynamics.
“With Hailey away at the European Championships in support of Team Morrison we have had a line up change with Kirstin (Bousie) in at third. We wish Hailey the best of luck and will be watching on from afar.”
Original 16 Men’s Cash Spiel
Team Whyte
Ross Whyte
Robin Brydone
Duncan McFadzean
Euan Kyle
Team Farmer (for Canada trip)
Beth Farmer
Kirstin Bousie
Amy MacDonald
Katie McMillan
Images: PPA/Graeme Hart
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