Ford World Women's Curling Championship 2

It's day one of the Ford World Women's Curling Championship in Vernon, BC. For the teams that meant nearly an hour on the ice for the opening ceremony, featuring a pipe band, the Okanagan Band and a ceremonial prayer from elders Pauline Arachachan and Mary Louis, that left the teams just a short time before practice, the draw shot distance and their opening games.

For team Scotland, Gail Munro, Lyndsay Wilson, Karen Addison and Anne Laird, that meant facing the might of Russia. There was nothing between the teams for the first five ends but one bad end from Scotland in the sixth gave Russia a four score and a three shot lead. But the Scots fought their way right back into the game with a three in the seventh. From there on in it was Scotland's game, stealing two in the ninth. Russia's Ludmilla Privivkova had a chance to tie the game in the last end but her last stone hit the shot but rolled out, Russia scored one but Scotland had the game.

A great way to start the Championship and a win that delighted their support, Stranraer must be empty, all dressed in blue and white jackets.

In the other games Denmark beat USA, Japan beat Italy with a come around tap back with last stone, China beat Sweden in nine ends.

Scotland face Sweden and China tomorrow, or is it today GMT?

You can find all the linescores and statistics here.

Top: Liudmila Privivkova and Gail Munro
Above: Scotch Corner
Pics by Hugh Stewart