Team Muirhead’s new line-up gets its season underway this week at the HDF Insurance Shoot-Out in Edmonton, Canada.
Skip Eve Muirhead is excited about the challenges ahead in an important year as they start their campaign for 2018 Olympic qualification points.
“We are in the best shape we can be going into our first event,” said The Courier columnist.
“We have trained really hard during the summer and have had a good month on-ice training as well.”
For the first part of the season the team comprises Eve, Kelly Schafer – the temporary substitute for Anna Sloan as she continues her rehab – Vicki Adams and Lauren Gray, the team’s new lead.
“There have been some big changes obviously but Lauren has fitted in great as well as Kelly,” Eve noted.
“I have played with Kelly in the past and we knew she was the best and right option for us until Anna is able to join us.
“Kelly has been there and done it, she is an incredibly hard worker who is prepared to make the sacrifice to join us for the start of our season and we are very glad that she is doing that”.
Starting their campaign in Canada, traditionally the world’s strongest curling nation, will be a good test for the new group, which remains one of the youngest teams currently on tour.
Eve added: “Canada is where we thrive and get better. For a season opener it is always interesting to see if any new aspects of the game might appear so there may be some unknowns.
“Every game in Canada is valuable experience, however we don’t fear any teams out there and those teams will be watching us as well.”
Scotland is also represented by Team Aitken, making their debut at the same event.