World University Games update

There are 165 days to go.

Just to remind you that the GB woman's curling squad for the World University Games, in Harbin, China, February 18-28, 2009, comprises Kay Adams, Vicki Adams, Laura Kirkpatrick, Sarah Macintyre and Sarah Reid.

To be eligible, athletes must be students and under the age of 28.

Today's announcement by British Curling (here) is to confirm that Keith Prentice (left) will be the coach to the women's squad. Keith skipped the team which won gold for Scotland at the World Senior Championship in Edmonton in 2007, and has been working with a number of junior teams in recent seasons.

The men's squad has undergone a change since it was first announced back in May. Andrew Craigie, Michael Goodfellow, John Hamilton, and Thomas Pendreigh are the four now.

Today sees the appointment of former Scottish and Scottish Junior Champion David Ramsay as coach to the men's squad. David was a member of Colin Hamilton's team at the Bruadar Scottish Championship last season, and won the sportsmanship award then (pic below).

Cate Brewster, in overall charge of the GB team, is the Assistant High Performance Curling Coach at the Scottish Institute of Sport, and was the first to be appointed in the run up to the 2009 Universiade. She said "I am delighted with the appointments and look forward to working with David and Keith."

Also of interest is that Scott Henderson is the WCF choice to be Chief Ice Technician at both the Pacific Junior Championships (which is to be the test event for the World University Games) and for the Universiade itself.

The Harbin website is here.

Pics by Bob.