Sport in Moray: Everybody's gone curling ... curling USA
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Moray took to the ice to welcome a team of 20 highly-regarded curlers from the USA.
The state-side visitors are currently undertaking a 26-day tour during which they're taking on various clubs from right around Scotland.
When the curlers arrived at the Moray Leisure Centre the running score from their previous matches on the tour had the Americans 13 games ahead.
Their team coach, which bears the inscription 'USA men's tour to Scotland', was greeted into Elgin by the sound of the pipes played by local curler Matthew Smith.
Gifts were exchanged – shortbread from Walkers, scarves from Johnstons, and whisky from Glen Grant and Benromach.
And the curlers stepped onto the ice accompanied by the respective flags of both countries.
Games were played on four different sheets.
But despite three of the four being extremely close, at the end of the friendly contest the Americans had managed to extend their lead against Scotland to 15.
Taking part was Stephen Rankin, a mainstay of curling in Moray whose wife, Janice, is a former Olympic gold medallist in the sport.
Stephen said: "They are a great set of guys who come from all over America although, obviously, the majority of them are from the cold-weather states, such as Alaska and Minnesota.
"There's a lot of competition to get picked to go on the tour, so they're all people who have contributed a lot towards curling.
"And they really went out of their way to encourage and give advice to a group of 30 junior curlers who were at the sports centre.
"They were handing out badges – or pins as they call them – from their home clubs.
"You couldn't meet a more helpful and friendly group."
After their time on the ice the curlers retired to the Sunninghill Hotel for drinks.
The following day the Americans were given a tour of Benromach followed by lunch at the Mosset Tavern in Forres.
In related news, Alan Campbell, who's the export manager at Walkers, is currently on tour in Canada with a Scottish team, competing for the Strathcona Cup which has been in existence for 120 years.
Demonstrating the popularity of curling locally is the fact that no fewer than 14 different teams from all around Moray use the ice rink at the sports centre.
However, time and space will always be made for anyone new who wants to have a go.
'Try curling' sessions are being run from 2pm-4pm and from 6.30pm-8.30pm on Tuesday, January 31, and Tuesday, February 7.
Book via morayleisurecentre.com/try-curling
All equipment is supplied including brushes and sliders. All you need is warm, loose-fitting clothing and clean, flat, rubber soled shoes – trainers are ideal.
