Perthshire’s Team Smith underlined their potential as a fast-improving curling rink by making their first Grand Slam final in Canada at the weekend.
In an all-European final against Team Edin of Sweden, Kyle Smith’s quartet lost 7-3 in the deciding match of the OCT Oakville Classic, one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
It was only their second appearance at this level.
Coach Viktor Kjall, a former member of Edin’s team, was delighted with their week’s work.
”It has been an impressive week from the entire team and they played with confidence, determination and exactly executed their game plan,” he said.
“This result also shows that all of the hard work they put in early season is still paying off.
“It is an incredible performance from such a young team competing in their second slam to reach final and it is one of the biggest achievements in Grand Slam history.
“At the moment they can beat any team in the world but they still have to work hard if they want to break into the top 10 in the world.
“Many of the teams we play at the Slams have competed in 20, 30 or 40 slams each, so this achievement on their second competitive outing this week is even more special.”
Kjall added: “As a coach I am very proud of the boys, they showed no fear and proved to the curling world that they belong at the top.”
Kyle Smith skips the team, which also includes his brother Cammy and Eve Muirhead’s brother Thomas.
