Inverness hosts world wheelchair qualifying competition

The Inverness Ice Centre is the focus of the wheelchair curling world next week, as the rink hosts the prequalifying competition for the World Wheelchair Curling Championship, set for Sursee, Switzerland, February 2-9, 2008. Ten countries (Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden) will battle for two places at the world event.

Norway, Switzerland, Scotland, Canada, Japan, USA, Korea and Russia are already qualified for Sursee by virtue of finishing in the top eight at the most recent World event at Solleftea, Sweden, last season.

Improvements to the Inverness rink have included the installation of a lift and that will allow wheelchair access to the lounge area.

The Inverness rink also holds the popular Skins competition this weekend, and no sooner has the final of that event finished than the ice becomes available for the wheelchair teams to practise on Sunday evening. The complete wheelchair results should be available here on the World Curling Federation site, and the individual game results should be on the Inverness Ice Centre site (follow link to News). The first round games are at 10.30 Monday morning. The draw is Bulgaria v China, Czech Republic v Denmark, England v Finland, Germany v Italy, Poland v Sweden.

The Italian team in action at last season's world wheelchair championship prequalifying event at Braehead. Photo by Hugh Stewart.

By the way, have you noticed that the WCF site has had a makeover?